A Pint of Science: World’s Largest Festival of Public Science Talks Returns to Lincoln Pubs

3 April 2023

Written by: Hannah McGowan

The hugely popular Pint of Science festival returns  to Lincoln on Monday 22 May 2023 for a three-day celebration which will take science out of the laboratory and into the pub.

The hugely popular Pint of Science festival returns to Lincoln on Monday 22 May 2023 for a three-day celebration which will take science out of the laboratory and into the pub.

The aim of the festival is to provide a space for researchers and members of the public alike to come together, be curious, and chat about fascinating research in a relaxed environment.

12 researchers from different subject areas at the University of Lincoln will deliver 12 talks over three nights in The Cardinal’s Hat and The Pessimist pubs in the city, covering a range of topics from dog body language to forensic science, and robotics.

Titles of the talks will include “The Secret Minds of Reptiles”, “A Horse in Cow’s Clothing: The Analysis of Food Fraud” and “Trees for Neurodiversity: Thriving Through Forest School”.

Dr Kay Ritchie, Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology at the University and Pint of Science lead for Lincoln, said: “We’re really excited to bring Pint of Science back to Lincoln for our third year in our local pubs. We’re looking forward to showcasing some University of Lincoln research in a fun and interactive way. With six events across three nights, there’s something for everyone.”

Anna Wilkinson, Professor of Animal Cognition at the University, will give a unique insight into the minds of reptiles, at the Monday night’s event “Understanding Animals”. Speaking about her talk, she said: “Reptiles are generally considered to be sluggish and unintelligent creatures; however, our research reveals that they are anything but. My talk will introduce the audience to the world of reptile cognition, showing evidence of the remarkable cognitive abilities in this group and will consider the implications for their welfare in captivity. This talk aims to get you thinking about what’s going on inside the brains of our scaly friends.

The Lincoln festival will also include Creative Reactions – a programme where science meets art to produce unique works of art, inspired by scientists’ research. The artwork will be displayed in the South Transept of Lincoln Cathedral between 16 May and 1 June 2023.

Tickets for the Pint of Science talks will be available to purchase from Monday 17 April online: www.pintofscience.co.uk/events/lincoln.