We help organisations with high impact events, community work, and communications.
As Public Engagement specialists, we make complex ideas come alive for everyone by listening and working together.
Agile Rabbit
Agile Rabbit
We help organisations with high impact events, community work, and communications.
As Public Engagement specialists, we make complex ideas come alive for everyone by listening and working together.
We make collaborative, curious, and creative events.
With respect, compassion, and playfulness, we blend our partners’ objectives with the aspirations of the audiences.
Oxford Professor Tim Coulson will talk about his recent book, ‘A Little History of Everything’. He will take us on a 13.8-billion-year journey, exploring what science has revealed about what had to happen for us to exist. Covering physics, chemistry, earth science, biology, and consciousness research in an accessible and engaging way, he will finish by...
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In this event, Jeremy Hunt will argue that getting out of Britain’s low growth is a solvable problem, and that we should approach the country’s economic future with optimism. He will be in conversation with Ritula Shah, formerly of BBC Radio 4. Come along, join the conversation and ask a question. Hunt asks these questions:...
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The acclaimed author and New Yorker writer is live in conversation about his new book, ‘To Lose a War’, with the celebrated human rights lawyer Samantha Knights KC. Jon Lee Anderson first reported from Afghanistan in the late 1980s, covering the US-backed mujahideen’s insurrection against the Soviet-backed regime in Kabul. Within days of the 9/11...
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A plant’s existence may seem rather uneventful, spending its days rooted to the spot, seemingly at the mercy of the things around it. Can plants think? Well, plants are intelligent creatures able to adapt in ways we animals can only imagine. Rather than having a brain – a central decision making centre – they can...
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Did you know that animals have friends? Lauren Brent has spent years travelling the world studying friendship in monkeys and other primates Lauren is Professor in the Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour at the University of Exeter. In this special talk Lauren will be revealing the many similarities between human societies and those of...
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Join us for a special screening of OCEAN — the stunning David Attenborough documentary — followed by an exclusive talk and Q&A with the film’s award-winning director Keith Scholey. Through spectacular cinematography and Sir David Attenborough’s unmistakable narration, OCEAN reveals the wonders and vulnerabilities of our planet’s blue heart. After the screening, Keith Scholey will share behind-the-scenes...
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Is Earth our only home? Recent discoveries show that Earth is one of billions of terrestrial, temperate planets and that these are more commonplace in our galaxy than we may have believed. So, could we move to and survive on any of them? Dr Raphaëlle D. Haywood is a Senior Lecturer in Physics and Astronomy...
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Following water’s lead, we’ll walk alongside the Taddiforde Brook through some of the greenest and wildest parts of the University of Exeter’s campus, think aqueous thoughts, speak about riverine topics, and listen – to extracts of texts about water, and to water itself. Our guide is Ellen Wiles, a novelist, multidisciplinary artist, and academic. As artist-in-residence...
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Sadly this event has been cancelled, we apologise for any inconvenience. All ticket holders have been issued a refund, but do direct any enquiries to contact@agile-rabbit.com When Tony Blair became Leader of the Labour Party in 1994, many believed he would be the new prime minister. Three years later, following 14 years of a conservative...
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Poet and author Andy Brown, Professor of Creative & Critical Writing, is inviting us to join him for an autumnal walk and talk. We will take a short gentle walk around the arboretum on the University’s Streatham Campus. We’ll wander and meet a few interesting trees, hear about their biology, the fascinating compounds they contain,...
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In a special conversation event, we’re charting hip hop’s first five decades, from its birth in the block parties of the Bronx and origins in Jamaica, to commercial gangsta-rap and right up to today’s artists. We’ll discuss how this American revolution in music, dance, and art spread across the global cultural landscape. Hear four speakers...
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Have you ever noticed a difference in how you feel after spending time along Exeter Quay? Have you ever wondered why we enjoy spending time by the river so much? We’ll be taking a closer look at the role blue spaces play in our lives. While we know about the benefits spending time outdoors has...
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For centuries, the idea of life beyond Earth has fascinated scientists, storytellers, and curious minds alike. We know that, within our solar system, all life needs water and a stable planetary atmosphere – but what about exoplanets in galaxies far, far away? As the search for evidence of extra-terrestrial life has entered a new era...
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There’s more to fungi than meets the eye! From keeping our soils healthy, to producing medicines, to brewing beer – fungi play a vital role in our world. But there’s still so much to discover about this hidden kingdom. Joining us at the Love St Thomas Summer Festival from the University of Exeter is Professor...
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From Zero Mile Gardens in St Thomas, to Shillingford Organics, Exeter Seed Bank, and Food Exeter, our city is slowly transforming into a food-growing hub. Join us and Rebecca Sandover from the University of Exeter for a leisurely stroll around Sage Green CIC, a Community Market Garden on Powderham Estates, to hear more about the sustainable food...
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After near extinction and years of conservation efforts across the UK, the government announced earlier this year that beavers are finally being released back into the wild! Though to the beavers along the River Otter in East Devon, this is old news. Since they were first spotted in 2013, they have made a successful return...
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From California to Australia, Wales to Bodmin Moor, news of wildfires has increasingly flickered across our screens. Not only do these fires dramatically change our landscapes, they also release huge amounts of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere. But what constitutes a wildfire? And how does it affect wildlife and humans? Thomas Smith from the London...
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Bloody Nora! Bugger! What the heck?! Feeling any better yet? Did you know that swearing can help us relieve pain and feel physically stronger – if momentarily? Or that it is a crucial aspect of navigating our identities and relationships to other? While the use of bad language is frowned upon in most public-facing scenarios,...
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The chief foreign correspondent of The Sunday Times and bestselling author of ‘I am Malala’ and ‘The Girl From Aleppo’ visits the South West. Christina Lamb’s work is defined by determination and curiosity to vividly convey life in areas of danger and conflict. How else would the rest of us know about the injustice, the...
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Celebrating Cornwall Museum & Art Gallery’s new Nature Gallery Encircled by a rugged coastline, Cornwall is a haven for woodlands, wildlife, and us, humans. We’ll be discussing the abundance of stunning landscapes and richness in biodiversity. We’ll be asking how is the Cornish ecosystem changing? Cornwall Museum is exploring these themes in its new, re-imagined...
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Hear four speakers passionately discuss the implications of our changing world on a key area. Climate Change and water are intertwined, from flooding and drought, to increased demand and varying quality. We’re looking at the 10 key changes you need to know: what we are already experiencing, alongside what to expect in the coming years,...
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Join us for a remarkable exploration of how our bodies keep us alive – and what simple changes might allow us to live longer. Biomedical researcher Professor John Tregoning is joining us from Imperial College London to tell the unlikely story of how, against all odds, we manage to stay alive. Despite a multitude of...
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Join us for the ultimate cosmic treasure hunt ! In this live event, Joshua Howgego is taking us on a rollicking ride through the world of meteorite hunting. Josh’s interest was sparked six years ago when he heard scientists say meteorites are like time capsules that record the history of our solar system. But how...
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Dyslexia isn’t a type of neurodivergence, is it? Neurodiversity means being an autistic adult, right? Does having Tics mean you always shout a lot? What is the purpose of getting diagnosed? Come along to this talk and hear Dr. Abby Russel discuss nine things you never knew about neurodiversity (or maybe you did!). Abby is...
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Come along to Phoenix’s main auditorium between 3 & 6.30 PM. It’s all FREE! Are you curious to learn about what it might be like to experience a neurodivergence? To raise and increase awareness of challenges someone might face, the Under the Umbrella team will hold drop-in sessions that allow you to step into the...
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Fifty percent of the world’s population who make it to middle age and beyond will experience menopause, but talking about it, understanding it, and knowing how to manage it are only gradually becoming more commonplace. So how can we have more open conversations about individuals’ experiences? Mainstream narratives on the menopause often contain a dizzying...
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How does the human immune system react to viruses, bacteria, or fungi invasions? Microbial life doesn’t just become visible under the microscope. During the Covid-19 pandemic, for example, it completely changed our lives. Professor Robin May from the University of Birmingham Robin is fascinated by how microbes cause diseases. He will take us on an...
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Have you ever wondered what the weather is like on Mars? In this special live event, join a world-leading scientist who works on two Mars Rovers to find out. Dr. Claire Newman is a planetary atmospheric specialist who studies weather and climate on Mars. We’ll take a closer look at what recent surface missions have...
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Let’s celebrate Ada Lovelace Day and the pioneering research of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Come along for a discussion with world leading scientists and thinkers on Artificial Intelligence and equality. From benefits to healthcare and the environment, there is a lot that is exciting about AI and its contribution to our society....
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The last few years of post-Brexit politics never failed to deliver John Crace with material for his Guardian sketches. After a sold-out event in Exeter, John is now joining us at St. Mary’s Church in Bruton, Somerset. In conversation with Ritula Shah, he will reflect on the many tumultuous and often humorous moments of the...
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Amy-Jane Beer shares some of the stories and themes explored in her book, The Flow, which won the 2023 Wainwright Prize for nature writing. “The Flow is a book about water, and, like water, it meanders, cascades and percolates through many lives, landscapes and stories. From West Country torrents to Levels and Fens, rocky Welsh canyons, the...
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Join Frances Tophill from Gardeners’ World and three world-leading researchers for a special live event on horticulture in a changing world. From flood mitigation to pollutant capture and urban green rooftops, gardens aren’t just benefiting humans, but represent essential spaces and habitats for wildlife and biodiversity. Our panellists will share effective gardening and growing practices...
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From naked mole rats and their teeth digging skills to kickboxing secretary birds, get ready to get your freak on. No fish can survive without water…unless they’re walking fish, also known as ambulatory fish, whose means of locomotion not only include swimming, but walking, springing, and undulation, too. Dr. Steve Portugal from the Centre of...
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Join Dr. Diana Tingley, from the University of Exeter for a gentle walk and talk around Ludwell Valley Park for 45 minutes. We’ll enjoy the surroundings, taking in a cherry orchard, meadows, ponds and more, while Diana talks about her work on biodiversity and housing. New laws say that housing developments must leave the natural...
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The man behind much meaningful analysis of election statistics visits the South West for an exclusive event with Agile Rabbit. Sir John Curtice will be in conversation with former Radio 4 presenter Ritula Shah to reveal what to expect in the busiest ever year of elections across the globe. Using the latest poll data, Sir...
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Since the early 1990s – in the face of opposition from government, landowners, and even some conservation professionals – Derek Gow has imported, quarantined and assisted the reestablishment of beavers in waterways across the UK. Derek is a maverick communicating the urgent need to bring these charismatic creatures back to Britain. After being hunted to the...
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In this talk, Cat Bohannon will take us on a ground-breaking, agenda setting, myth-busting tour through the history of evolution and the female body. With boundless curiosity and sharp wit, Cat will explain the specific science behind the development of the female sex, and the wild new science that inspired her to write her bestselling...
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Can humans live on Mars or is it all science fiction? Meet Professor Sanjeev Gupta, a key scientist from the latest NASA mission to Mars, and NASA scientist Dr. Claire Newman. In this special event the pair will be sharing the secrets from the Perseverance Rover, that has been searching for signs of ancient life...
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Come along to this showcase of possibilities, explore the many ways we can take inspiration from natural phenomena to convert sunlight into energy, and discover the real and natural magic behind the power of sunlight. From solar-powered bees to solar powered lights, Dr. Anurag Roy will dive into the working principles of solar cells and their...
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Meet Dr. Faryal Khalid and learn how offshore renewable energy can help us shape a carbon neutral Cornwall. Faryal is part of a pioneering team of engineers who have developed novel components, such as moorings and cables, for large offshore renewable energy systems. She will speak about the progress that has been made and share...
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Join us for an evening of art, science, and revolutionary engineering at the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro! The museum is opening its doors from 4 – 6.30 PM to bring you a series of talks, workshops, stalls, and key speakers. Explore the workings behind life-changing mechanical inventions, chat to researchers and experts, and discover how modern...
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Algorithms are an essential part of how our world functions nowadays. Can our human brain still compete with the rapid advancements of our technological inventions, however? Nathan Lepora, Professor of Robotics and AI at the University of Bristol, will share his vast knowledge on most recent robotic developments. Professor Lepora is interested in the intersection...
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Whether it’s a deepfake of Taylor Swift or Rishi Sunak’s summit at Bletchley Park, news about Artificial Intelligence seems unescapable. And it’s accelerating at an unprecedented rate. With a group of world experts, we’re getting behind the headlines to look at what’s really happening in AI safety, particularly the role that law and politics play...
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Artificial Intelligence enables us to track environmental footprints, extreme weather events, carbon emissions, and biodiversity loss. But can it help us to find solutions to tackle some of our society’s most pressing environmental issues? AI has a staggering carbon footprint itself – but can it help us find solutions in a rapidly changing climate? We...
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What fills the space between stars in our universe? Pure nothingness? After sparking interest with our curious audience at Standon Calling, Tessa Baker is coming to Exeter. She will discuss how space, in fact, isn’t empty and still, but can twist and stretch like a piece of elastic. And when it does, it produces special...
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Try imagining your life without music for a moment. Do you feel you’ve lost a part of yourself, your memories, or ability to experience emotions? Professor Catherine Loveday has long focused her research interest on the human brain, our memory, and music. Her talk will explore the link between memory and music. She will...
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From Partygate and Boris Johnson’s farewell to Jeremy Corbyn handing over Labour’s leadership to Keir Starmer – bestselling author John Crace is taking us on a hilarious tour of the whirlwind world of post-Brexit Britain. Over the past few years, the various Prime Ministers, and some heated parliamentary debates at Westminster, John Crace’s brilliant political...
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Once they were a fringe interest, now conspiracy theories seem to hit the headlines every year – from QAnon to Flat Earthers. Why are they more popular and is this dangerous? This event runs the gauntlet through the scary world of conspiracy theories – their psychology, history, and philosophy. Find out the best ways to...
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Death Stars and Democracy The hugely popular Star Wars films famously came about from George Lucas’s desire to tell a ‘Vietnam War in space’. Since then, the Star Wars films have always focused on repurposing contemporary events in a science fiction setting. In this podcast we discover the fascinating ways in which Star Wars is...
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Due to the train strikes this event has been cancelled. We are rescheduling the event and will be in touch with ticket holders once the new date is confirmed. Once they were a fringe interest, now conspiracy theories seem to hit the headlines every year – from QAnon to Flat Earthers. Why are they more...
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Where do our medications come from and where do they go? We all know the feeling of having a headache at work and the relief a paracetamol can offer. Rarely do we think about what happens to the medication after we swallow it. Dr. Kelly Thornber works alongside the NHS, the Environmental Agency, the pharmaceutical...
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12 P.M. – 2 P.M. FREE ENTRY – NO BOOKING REQUIRED For two days, and for two days only, we are bringing a free weekend celebration of science, arts, mayhem, and music right in the centre of Falmouth! As part of the Pop-Up Curiosity Shop of Science and Culture, there will be an exciting talks...
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Have you considered how fungi affect our daily lives? How do they affect human populations and how do changes in the management of chronic health conditions affect fungal diseases? How important are fungi for us and our environment? Prof. Mark Ramsdale who is an Associate Professor of Molecular Microbiology at the University of Exeter and...
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10.00 A.M. – 03.00 P.M. Join us for a free weekend celebration of science, arts, mayhem, and music right in the centre of Falmouth! With a Pop-Up Curiosity Shop of Science and Culture, we are bringing bonkers discovery, intriguing ideas, and an array of activities to The Cornish Bank on October 1. This event is...
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Professor Corinna Wagner is not only an academic in the environmental humanities, combining creative and critical practice, but also a photographer and creative writer. She works in a sustainable darkroom, with traditional processes, and incorporates natural materials such as beeswax, seawater, mulberry paper and reclaimed oil paint. Her work is part of larger public-facing...
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Perhaps you already know about ponds and maybe you even created your own pond in your back garden during lockdown. PhD student Alice Pawlik knows the ins and outs of the importance of ponds, not just for wildlife but for humans, too. She is a keen herpetologist with a particular interest in amphibian disease, ecology,...
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Join Dr. Thomas O’Shea-Weller, a researcher at Penryn, for a one-hour walk and talk around Falmouth. His research focuses on the behaviour of social insects, such as our much-beloved pollinators: bees! One of the many things threatening the UK’s bee population is an invasion of hornets that originated from the Asian continent. He will speak...
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12 P.M. – 2 P.M. FREE ENTRY – NO BOOKING REQUIRED For two days, and for two days only, we are bringing a free weekend celebration of science, arts, mayhem, and music right in the centre of Falmouth! As part of the Pop-Up Curiosity Shop of Science and Culture, there will be an exciting talks...
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Did you know that by 2050, the plastic in our oceans could outweigh all fish in the sea? As consumers, we are forced to interact with plastic and microplastic on a daily basis. Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Lara Pinheiro will take you on a walk to the beach to share the impacts of plastic pollution to...
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10 A.M. – 3 P.M. Join us for a free weekend celebration of science, arts, mayhem, and music right in the centre of Falmouth! With a Pop-Up Curiosity Shop of Science and Culture as part of the FUTURES festival, we are bringing bonkers discovery, intriguing ideas, and an array of activities to The Cornish Bank...
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Whether we tell them ourselves or we listen – storytelling is an inherent part of our human experience. In a safe environment, PhD student and writer Stephanie Hirtenstein will guide you through your storytelling process, using lego, the outdoors, recordings, and more! She will provide the prompts to get your creativity and storytelling muscle flowing....
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Did you know that by 2050, the plastic in our oceans could outweigh all fish in the sea? Drs Ceri Lewis and Lara Pinheiro will take you on a gentle walk from the Cathedral Green to Exeter Quay to chat about the impacts of plastic pollution to our ecosystems and the efforts that are being...
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Come on a gentle walk and talk and hear about the special relationship humans have with animals. Your guide is Ginny Thomas from the University of Exeter. A modern-day Dr Dolittle, she has deep interest in human-animal interactions, particularly human-wildlife-coexistence. From feeding birds to eating meat, learn how our relationships with animals can change our diet,...
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Discover the many fungi hidden in the natural world, in a gentle walk and talk around the University of Exeter grounds. Have you considered how fungi affect our daily lives? How important are fungi for us and our environment? Prof. Mark Ramsdale who is an Associate Professor of Molecular Microbiology at the University of Exeter...
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Join Dr. Thomas O’Shea-Weller, from the University of Exeter for a gentle walk and talk around the parks of the city for 45 minutes. His research focuses on the behaviour of social insects, such as our much-beloved pollinators: bees! One of the many things threatening the UK’s bee population is an invasion of hornets that...
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We’re back! Between performances from Years & Years, Self Esteem, and The Human League, we’ll be taking over a Stage at Standon Calling Festival. From algorithms to our oceans, join us for an excellent array of events. This will be a great chance for curious minds to meet scientists, artists, musicians, historians, doctors, mathematicians, and...
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We’re back! Between performances from Years & Years, Self Esteem, and The Human League, we’ll be taking over a Stage at Standon Calling Festival. From algorithms to our oceans, join us for an excellent array of events. This will be a great chance for curious minds to meet scientists, artists, musicians, historians, doctors, mathematicians, and...
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We’re back! Between performances from Years & Years, Self Esteem, and The Human League, we’ll be taking over a Stage at Standon Calling Festival. From algorithms to our oceans, join us for an excellent array of events. This will be a great chance for curious minds to meet scientists, artists, musicians, historians, doctors, mathematicians, and...
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Join us for a very special event in Sussex! The latest BBC programme narrated by David Attenborough, Wild Isles, looks at the dramatic beauty of nature here in Britain and Ireland. The highly anticipated series is something special made close to home: a stunning survey of golden eagles, foxes and dormice; woodlands, meadows and rivers. We’re...
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Are you interested in learning how to make your public engagement activities more playful? We are offering a Playful Communication Workshop at Exeter’s Creative Quadrant, run by Fiona Rourke, Adam Lusby, and Maarten Koeners. Participants will network with other researchers who are interested in creating innovative (and playful!) public engagement activities. Explore several different ways...
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Hear four speakers passionately discuss the implications of our changing world on a key area. Climate Change and water are intertwined, from flooding and drought, to increased demand and varying quality. We’re looking at the 10 key changes you need to know: what we are already experiencing, alongside what to expect in the coming years,...
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Or Oh Bondage Up Yours! Come on on a whistle-stop tour of feminism with Hannah Dawson – we’re travelling from the 15th century to the feminist utopias of today, through the key battlegrounds of sex and gender, suffrage and civil rights, the invisibility of women’s work. She will ask how do we solve the problem...
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From anti-vaxxers to climate deniers, not everyone trusts science. This podcast features a panel of international experts looking at why there is mistrust and positive antidotes to deal with it. We explore the Open Science movement, which is sweeping the globe promoting practices to make science more transparent and less biased. One method is sharing...
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Rarely a week goes by without a negative headline about the internet – from teenagers’ mental health and racist algorithms to online conspiracy theories and the power of big tech. In this lively discussion with some of the world’s leading thinkers, we reassess our relationship with the internet and set out a positive vision of...
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Stegosaurs are a group of dinosaurs characterized by the possession of two rows of plates and spines that extend from the neck to the end of the tail. Join us for a live event with acclaimed scientist Dr Susannah Maidment from the Natural History Museum. Discover the function of the plates of stegosaurs. Were they...
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Unfortunately this event is cancelled due to illness Join us for a a gripping, surprising and often controversial examination of the Western God, in all his bodily, uncensored, scandalous forms. In this live event Professor Francesca Stavrakopoulou reveals God’s cultural DNA stretches back centuries before the Bible was written, and persists in the tics and...
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Unfortunately this event has been cancelled due to speaker withdrawal. All tickets will be refunded. We apologise for any inconvenience. Even our most successful and advanced theories of foundational physics are unable to give a complete account of the universe. Meanwhile, philosophy continues to wrestle with questions of knowledge and consciousness. Might constructor theory provide...
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Psychedelic drugs are gaining attention in the pharmaceutical industry because of increasing scientific evidence of their potential benefits for people suffering with psychiatric disorders. Hear from scientists leading ground-breaking work at Imperial College which suggests that psilocybin in Magic Mushrooms may ‘reset’ brain activity in people with depression. Is there real scientific evidence of the...
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12 noon – 2 P.M. FREE ENTRY – NO BOOKING REQUIRED Calling all imagineers, engineers, and balladeers! A celebration of bonkers discovery and intriguing culture, Agile Rabbit is bringing a shop full of science, mayhem, music and more to the centre of Exeter. It’s just for two days and it’s all free entry. Each day...
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Free Join us for a gentle walk and conversation about the value of play in innovation and creativity. Many of us might think play is left behind in childhood, but increasingly research shows that it is valuable throughout life and sometimes in unexpected ways. Play can be used for creativity, as well as compassion and...
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Enjoy a gentle walking tour along Teignmouth seafront and hear about the fascinating history of traditional seaside entertainment. Your guide will be Dr Tony Lidington of the University of Exeter, an expert in theatre history and celebrated performer. You will have the chance to see two renovated peep shows sentry boxes. Peepshows were a hugely...
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Hear the fascinating story of a new super bee. This is a gentle walking tour around Rougemont and Northernhay Gardens in Exeter. The parasitic Varroa mite has spread across the world. It’s been the prime threat to honey bees in a bitter war for the last 50 years. Your guide is scientist Dr Thomas O’Shea-Wheller from...
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10 A.M. – 4 P.M. FREE ENTRY – NO BOOKING REQUIRED Calling all imagineers, engineers, and balladeers! A celebration of bonkers discovery and intriguing culture, Agile Rabbit is bringing a shop full of science, mayhem, music and more to the centre of Exeter. It’s just for two days and it’s all free entry. Music, guided...
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12 noon – 2 P.M. FREE ENTRY – NO BOOKING REQUIRED Calling all imagineers, engineers, and balladeers! A celebration of bonkers discovery and intriguing culture, Agile Rabbit is bringing a shop full of science, mayhem, music and more to the centre of Exeter. It’s just for two days and it’s all free entry. Each day...
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Uncover hidden aspects of Exeter’s 2000-year history on this intriguing walk and talk: meet the Romans, Saxons, Normans, Jews, ‘Aliens’, Africans, visitors and migrants who have enriched the city. The tour sprang from the community-led Heritage Lottery funded project “Telling our Stories, Finding our Roots: Exeter’s Multi-Coloured History” The walk starts at the Cathedral and...
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10 A.M. – 4 P.M. FREE ENTRY – NO BOOKING REQUIRED Calling all imagineers, engineers, and balladeers! A celebration of bonkers discovery and intriguing culture, Agile Rabbit is bringing a shop full of science, mayhem, music and more to the centre of Exeter. It’s just for two days and it’s all free entry. Music, guided...
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Hear an inspirational and often riotously funny first-hand account of the movement to rewild the British landscape with beavers – and how it became the most subversive nature conservation act of the modern era. Since the early 1990s – in the face of opposition from government, landowners, and even some conservation professionals – Derek Gow...
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We’re taking over a Stage at Standon Calling Festival. In between bands like Madness, Anne-Marie, Loyle Carner, and Primal Scream you can come to an excellent array of events on subjects from dinosaurs to witches. This will be a great chance for curious minds to meet scientists, artists, musicians, historians, doctors, mathematicians, and more!
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We’re taking over a Stage at Standon Calling Festival. In between bands like Madness, Anne-Marie, Loyle Carner, and Primal Scream you can come to an excellent array of events on subjects from dinosaurs to witches. This will be a great chance for curious minds to meet scientists, artists, musicians, historians, doctors, mathematicians, and more!
More Info
We’re taking over a Stage at Standon Calling Festival. In between bands like Madness, Anne-Marie, Loyle Carner, and Primal Scream you can come to an excellent array of events on subjects from dinosaurs to witches. This will be a great chance for curious minds to meet scientists, artists, musicians, historians, doctors, mathematicians, and more!
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As Artificial Intelligence continues to impact many areas of our lives, we’re bringing together a world leading group of experts from health, tech, philosophy, and academia to discuss ethical questions that must be confronted. From driverless cars to dementia treatment, how can we ensure machines do the right thing? Will they inherit our own biases...
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How do we relate neuroscience research in laboratories to our experience of living? The goal of Field Neuroscience is to build a bridge between the two – it’s the non-invasive study of nervous systems “in the wild”. Neuroscientists study something that everyone uses every day to navigate the complexities of human society – their nervous...
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While sexually-explicit images have been produced as long as humans could make pictures, the category of pornography is a much more modern invention. It was introduced in the 1800s as a way to classify images deemed obscene and thought to corrupt morals. In this talk Dr João Florêncio will take us on a freefall journey...
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AI is at a crucial point: in this event discover its radiant possibilities as well as the possible changes to all our lives. A world leading panel of experts from business, finance, media and academia discuss the eye-opening scenarios of our future. There is a particular focus on how AI is used to make models...
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How can you help your children do well at school and beyond? Hear the top tips – and the evidence for them – in this special live event with Lee Elliot Major, the first professor of Social Mobility. He’ll reveal what really matters in education, debunking myths and misconceptions that can harm children’s learning. Professor...
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Join us and be part of an biannual global event: an evening of short play readings that encounter our changing climate in unexpected ways. Climate Change Theatre Action is a worldwide series of readings and performances of short climate change plays specially commissioned to coincide with the United Nations climate change meetings. For the 2021...
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We think about viruses as harmful to us, but research by our speaker Martha Clokie shows that some can improve our health. These tiny viruses known as ‘phages’ do this by invading bacteria, multiplying, and bursting out, eventually destroying their host. When these are bacteria that attack our bodies, this could be beneficial—our enemy’s...
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In this event Paul Mason offers a radical, hopeful blueprint for resisting and defeating the new far right. He will explain what fascists believe and how they operate today and why they need to be defated: its psychological roots, and warped political theories . Fascism, Mason powerfully argues, is a symptom of capitalist failure, one...
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For centuries, people have found solace and respite through nature. Now, increasing evidence is showing that the benefits of spending time in nature extend beyond ‘feeling good’ to longer term improvements in our physical and mental health and wellbeing. We see the influence of this evidence beginning to shape policy and practice, such as the...
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From Astronomy to Zoology, scientists are struggling to make the best of the enormous datasets the digital revolution has brought. Rapid advances in machine learning have ushered in new opportunities, but Sky at Night presenter Chris Lintott will argue that there’s still a place for all of us to contribute. Bringing experience of more than...
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7:30 P.M. Free, but please book. St Petroc’s Church, Bodmin, PL31 2DT Can art save the world? That’s the subject of this lively conversation with world-leading researchers and creative people. Join us for an evening blending science and art, where we’ll look at the emotional and creative reactions to vital research on our changing world....
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Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis Free Tickets but please book, Starts 2P.M. Overlooking the sea, this day of eclectic events celebrating the ocean will feature performances and activities alongside conversations and demonstrations from world-leading scientists and local people, brought to life in a famous marine community. Tik-tok shanty sensation The Longest Johns will stage a unique...
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We’ll be sharing a free smartphone app that invites you to experience Exeter’s hidden art through contemporary characters. Each guide takes you on a unique walking tour through the city’s rich past, linking the sites you visit to stories from their own lives and times. This is a walk and talk with researchers from the...
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Calling all imagineers, engineers, and balladeers! A celebration of bonkers discovery and intriguing culture, Agile Rabbit is bringing a shop full of science, mayhem, music and more to the centre of Exeter. It’s just for one day and it’s all free entry. Music, theatre, guided walks, demonstrations, talks, workshops, and even robots bring to life...
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Uncover hidden aspects of Exeter’s 2000-year history on this intriguing walk and talk: meet the Romans, Saxons, Normans, Jews, ‘Aliens’, Africans, visitors and migrants who have enriched the city. The tour sprang from the community-led Heritage Lottery funded project “Telling our Stories, Finding our Roots: Exeter’s Multi-Coloured History” The walk starts at the Cathedral and...
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Smells form part of our memories and surroundings but they are often elusive – disappearing before they can be described or pinned down. Designer and researcher Kate McLean is one of a small but growing number of innovative practitioners dedicated to the study and capture of this highly nuanced field. In this sensory walk, Kate...
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Leading space scientist and Sky at Night presenter Maggie Aderin-Pocock was born in London to Nigerian parents in 1968. Maggie’s dreams of becoming an astronaut and a love of Star Trek encouraged her interest in space and science. Hear about how shooting for the stars has led to a remarkable career: building instruments to explore...
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In this event Paul Mason offers a radical, hopeful blueprint for resisting and defeating the new far right. It is both a chilling portrait of contemporary fascism – what fascists believe and how they operate today – and a compelling history of the fascist phenomenon: its psychological roots, political theories and genocidal logic. Fascism, Mason...
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Join Radio Producer Alice Armstrong to explore Standon Calling through its evocative sounds – some predictable and others unexpected. This will be a guided and immersive experience around the festival site, and the resulting recordings could even make it to a podcast on the Standon website. Alice has worked in community radio, BBC Radio 4,...
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Scientist and broadcaster Dr Helen Czerski talks to comedian Robin Ince about why the ocean isn’t just the place where the pretty fish live. In her work she’s travelled the Southern, Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans, a vast engine sustaining the energy, nutrients and life of our planet. Helen is passionate that we can learn...
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Explore the science of taste in this immersive and interactive event. Discover the often surprising ways in which our senses guide our food choices and dining habits. Provided with your own box of resources, you’ll experience mouth vibrations, feel how noise can affect the crunch in food and find out how it’s possible to ‘see...
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Psychedelic drugs are gaining popularity in the pharmaceutical industry because of their benefits for people suffering with psychiatric disorders. Groundbreaking work at Imperial College suggests that psilocybin in Magic Mushrooms ‘resets’ brain activity in people with depression, while MDMA may help those with PTSD. Join a trip with world experts Dr David Erritzoe, Professor Christine...
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This is a chance to meet Professor Sanjeev Gupta, a key scientist from the latest NASA mission to Mars. In this special event he’ll be revealing secrets from the Perseverance Rover, including new images from the robot. The rover is searching for signs of ancient life on the Red Planet with the ultimate aim of...
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Join a fun yoga session that is also a talk event, exploring yoga, health and your body. University of Exeter social scientist Gemma Lucas and Yogi teacher Nikkie Huddart discuss the latest research on how yoga affects people’s relationships with their bodies, while you do the moves! THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE AT STANDON CALLING FESTIVAL
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In this lively online discussion, our speakers will take a deep dive in to the relationship between online technology and our data. We give away our data in exchange for so-called ‘free’ services, giving firms valuable information that underpins their business models. The data drives revenue, often used to help targetted adverts function or provide...
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Meet one of the scientists behind NASA’s latest Mars mission in this special live event. Dr Naomi Murdoch will introduce the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover, which is searching for signs of ancient life. Our speaker’s work has been on the famous SuperCam instrument, a laser mounted on the head of the rover that looks for...
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Discover how computer games are used by engineers to simulate and solve problems – and try them yourself. At the University of Exeter, a great tool has been developed to connect complex scientific information and explore the interactions between water, energy, land, and food resources management in the context of Climate Change. 3 P.M. –...
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Are you a parent, an entrepreneur, a feminist, a libertarian, all of these, or none? By using machine learning, Dr Miriam Koschate will tell you from your writing style which group was influencing you while you were writing. You may be able to deceive the person next to you but our models will know who...
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Join Jerry Fox and Dr Kristin Liabo for mindfulness exercises and discussion. Jerry is from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services; he has developed mindfulness therapy for young people and their carers. He’ll be chatting about how the success of the therapy was measured with data collected from groups in this project. He will...
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This lively online discussion looked at communicating science, the psychology behind our actions, and the politics of Climate Change. “The danger of global warming is as yet unseen, but real enough for us to make changes and sacrifices” Margaret Thatcher told the UN in 1989. Yet, in 2020 the predictions are unfolding with devastating wildfires,...
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Do you have the lockdown blues? This hour-long online workshop is about connection and catharsis through shared creativity. Dr Fred Cooper from the Wellcome Centre will talk briefly about the Beacon project on loneliness, show you some things that other people have been making, drawing, writing (or singing!) during Covid-19, and lend you some inspiration...
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The interactive session explores an ancient greek’s programme for healthy living. Written 1800 years ago, Galen’s medical system was the basis of Western and Islamic Medicine for 1600 years. Might Galen’s healthy living be useful for us in the 21st century? Join Professor John Wilkins to consider Galen’s advice on the environment, eating and drinking,...
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A recent YouGov poll found that nearly half of Brits are proud of their colonial past, while 43% think the British Empire was a “good thing”. Britain’s post-Brexit future was recently described in civil service documents as ‘Empire 2.0’, which was quickly met with criticism by some journalists in Africa and India. But how does...
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Noam Chomsky spoke live from Tucson in this online event. He answered audience questions, particularly on the topic of Free Speech, but also on coronavirus, q’anon, and ‘cancel culture’. In July 2020, the linguist and philosopher put his name to the ‘Letter on Justice and Open Debate’, which was signed by 153 writers. The public...
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Hear tales from the extraordinary career of a maker of David Attenborough’s Dynasties series. Will Lawson directed the ‘Emperor’ episode that followed penguins, and is assistant producer of the forthcoming Frozen Planet II. The event is presented by Professor Steve Simpson from the University of Exeter. He was an Academic Advisor and featured scientist in...
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Poor countries are ‘on a ledge with no safety net’, according to David Miliband, who was in conversation with Lyse Doucet, Waad al-Kateab, Dr Hamza al-Kateab, and Dr Weeda Mehran in this free live online event. In rich countries, the implications of the coronavirus outbreak seem to be always in people’s lives: poor health, the...
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The British are the worst language learners in Europe, according to a survey published by the European Commission. However, this was not always the case: in Medieval Britain, French was critical to work in business, law and literature. In 1300, one in five people were bilingual in English and French. More than a quarter of...
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Have you ever spotted a flock of birds flying somewhere high above you? Have you ever stopped and stared, wondering where they might be going? Our speaker for this free online event is National Geographic Explorer Dr Lucy Hawkes, a leading expert on animal movements who uses state-of-the-art miniaturised electronic tracking units. Lucy tracks migrating...
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Aside from the human cost, the Covid-19 pandemic is having massive negative effects on the worldwide economy, and therefore household incomes. One suggested solution is a Universal Basic Income. Our speaker, Guy Standing, the leading expert on the concept, argues that we can solve the ‘evils of modern life’, for almost zero net cost: we...
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In this free online event, we looked at the ecology behind coronavirus, in particular how taking bats out of their natural habitats may have led to the virus moving to humans, as was the case with Ebola, SARS, and MERS. Our speaker, Professor Kate Jones, specialises in the ecology and biodiversity of bats and also...
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Find out what makes a psychopath, from the leading expert who helped to create Killing Eve’s Villanelle. Dr Mark Freestone has worked on some of the most interesting and infamous psychopath cases of recent times. Using real case studies, Mark will be looking into their minds. Do you remember the scene where Villanelle dresses...
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Recent headlines across the world declared that Climate Change is the “the biggest global health threat of the 21st century”—based on the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change published in November 2019. Its co-author joins us from the University of Exeter to discuss her vital work behind the story. The impacts of climate...
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Join us in Exeter and be part of a global event: an evening of short play readings that encounter our changing climate in unexpected ways. Climate Change Theatre Action is a worldwide series of readings and performances of short climate change plays specially commissioned to coincide with the United Nations climate change meetings. Written by...
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Our speaker is head of the BBC Natural History Unit; founded in the 1950s as the first and biggest production unit of its kind, it is regarded as the world’s greatest maker of wildlife documentary films. Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, Life on Earth, and dozens more groundbreaking series were all delivered by this...
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Download the images for this talk here Politicians assert that their views reflect the will of the British people, especially when it comes to Brexit. In this special talk, the President of the British Polling Council examines the evidence behind these claims. It takes place on the last day of the extension to Article 50....
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SLIDES AVAILABLE HERE Will a computer ever compose a symphony, write a prize-winning novel, or paint a masterpiece? New developments in AI are shaking up the status quo, as we find out how many of the tasks humans engage in can be done equally well, if not better, by machines. But can machines be creative?...
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When police unglued Farhana Yamin from the forecourt of the Shell building—during climate protests—she became a figurehead of the Extinction Rebellion movement. The Climate Change lawyer appeared on front pages across the world and deftly handled interviews on programmes such as Newsnight. For this Agile Rabbit talk, Farhana argues that now is the time to...
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Do you wonder if altering your diet, cutting down on flights, or declaring a climate emergency makes any difference to climate change? This sell-out discussion with world-leading speakers from politics, business, activism, and science, moved beyond superficial responses to the vital question ‘Can I do anything about climate change?’ The audience brought its own ideas...
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Are school-days the best of your life? For many they are not. Today, six times more children report mental illness than twenty years ago. Last month, Theresa May announced that every teacher will be trained to spot early warning signs of mental illness, describing tackling the rise in mental health problems as a ‘personal priority’....
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We’re dealing with a biggie in this talk – the origin of the universe. Recent groundbreaking discoveries support the view that our universe is part of a larger cosmic structure: a multiverse. Gravitational anomalies in the structure of our universe are ‘tugs’ exerted by other universes. These exciting theories are indicated by the work of...
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A new area of cosmology is the subject for the physicist, mathematician and philosopher of science, famous for many achievements, in particular his work with Stephen Hawking. This talk focuses on recent ground-breaking observations of anomalous points in the very early universe that appear to be sources of vast amounts of energy. These could have...
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We are living through disruption to politics and society. Increasingly this is delivered by individuals proudly claiming their rights to free speech. Journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown argues that sexist homophobic views are sometimes justified as expressions of liberty. Should individual rights always take precedence over collective, social responsibility? Despite its flaws, do we need to defend...
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The sale of shark meat in fish and chip shops was dramatically uncovered by a team at the University of Exeter, led by Dr Andrew Griffiths. Andrew will tell the story behind his headline-grabbing work that recently identified threatened sharks on sale to the British public. The wonderful diversity of sharks and rays around the...
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Can our economic, social, and environmental systems work so that the most responsible choices we make are also the easiest, cheapest, and most obvious? Often when we are faced with environmental or social problems, we find that changing our own actions can initially feel satisfying, but this can sometimes lead to a feeling that the...
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This is a one day seminar for anyone planning expeditions and field research overseas, with a focus on self-led student projects. The morning consists of short TED-style talks, and the afternoon is made up of workshops. It takes place in the beautiful city of Exeter for adventurous people attracted to the work of the Society....
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THE OPENING EVENT FOR RGS-IBG EXPLORE SOUTH-WEST Explore South West launched with a lively public panel discussion on the topic “Is there anything left to explore in the 21st century?”. “The glory-seeking adventurer of old is giving way to explorers who want to understand the planet rather than dominate it.” This is how The Economist...
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Why is it so easy, when we go to somewhere which the tourist industry would describe as very exotic, to get on with people? Part of the answer is that remote people are much less different than we might, at first, believe and that modern society is much less different than is often assumed. This...
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Professor Brendan Godley will talk through his esteemed international career in sea turtle conservation from undergraduate researcher to professional scientist. He will highlight how despite technological innovation, we still need to get out into the field.
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This is a screening of a celebrated film about Europe’s last wild rivers, followed by a panel discussion with speakers from the University of Exeter, National Trust, Flow Partnership, and South West Water The film “Blue Heart” aims to raise public awareness about the negative impact of the Balkan Rivers hydropower boom. More than 3,000...
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Pen Hadow is one of the world’s leading explorers. In 2003 Pen Hadow became the first person to trek solo, and without resupply, across the Arctic Ocean’s sea ice from Canada to the North Geographic Pole – a feat that has never been repeated. But of the 850 hours spent hauling his sledge, over 30...
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In this special launch event of Agile Rabbit, Professor John Ellis CBE from CERN asks the fundamental questions about the Universe and our place within it ~ questions that humans have been asking for hundreds of thousands of years. Particle physicists address them by studying the fundamental constituents of matter using the Large Hadron Collider...
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Dr. Inma Adarves-Yorno is a mindfulness TED speaker, researcher, and trainer. She has witnessed the transformational power of mindfulness when aligned with a meaningful social identity. In this talk, Inma tells the fascinating story of the successes and failures of a mindfulness movement in Kenyan prisons. “Prisons and hospitals have something in common in Kenya:...
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Until recent years, the mountains of northern Mozambique- isolated mountain ‘archipelagos’ that lie adjacent to the main highlands of eastern Africa remained relatively unknown in terms of biology. Owing to their remoteness and civil war, they have only recently been explored. These so called ‘sky islands’ harbour lush evergreen rainforests at high altitudes, differing from...
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Helen tells tales and anecdotes from her year spent in a Namibian Village conducting anthropological research by discussing interpretations of New Testament texts. Helen lived in an Owambo homestead in the remote North of Namibia. She looked at the relationship between African Traditional Religion and Christianity. As an inexperienced fieldwork researcher at the outset, Helen encountered...
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Ocean acidification, the change in ocean chemistry driven by increasing atmospheric CO2 levels, is one of the biggest threats to our oceans. It is happening first and fastest in the Arctic Ocean. The Catlin Arctic Survey was an exciting multidisciplinary expedition, in which scientists and explorers investigated ocean acidification processes and their impact on marine organisms....
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Steve Simpson explains how he has pioneered new ways of listening to the ocean and of interacting with fish (including the use of underwater puppetry), to understand whole soundscapes and to unlock the language of fish. He also discusses his engagement with key marine industries, which aims to reduce and manage human noise pollution in...
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