14 December 2009
Christmas lecture invites public to engage with science
Students from the University of Sheffield are inviting members of the local community to a free Christmas lecture this week (18 December 2009) on the topical issue of vaccinations, to help make science accessible to all.
The lecture, which will be held in St George´s Church, Mappin Street, will address important issues and questions regarding vaccines that are often left unanswered. Since the MMR scare, vaccines have been misunderstood by the general public and recent vaccines for swine flu and cervical cancer have been major news stories in the media. The public often received confused messages from this coverage and experts who are recommending vaccines.
The aim of the lecture, which will be presented by vaccine expert, Professor Adam Finn from the University of Bristol, is to educate the general public about vaccines. They will address the origins and development of vaccines, so that the public can make more knowledgeable decisions in the future and learn to look objectively at the information they receive.
The lecture will also be interactive and include audience participation devices for the public to cast their votes and opinions on questions throughout the event. It will also be followed by a festive drinks reception of mulled wine and mince pies, with science books available to buy from local bookshop `Rhyme and Reason´.
The lecture, which is being sponsored by B Braun, is the brainchild of a group of media-friendly science students, who are looking to engage the public in topical science issues that are often covered by the press. The group are passionate about bringing science directly to the public, to help them engage with everyday issues. They intend to follow on from the Christmas lecture with several more public events in the new year.
Jenna Stevens-Smith, who is leading the organisation of the lecture, said: "Science and engineering play an integral part in our everyday lives. As a scientist, I believe it is really important that we engage the public in science, specifically topical issues, such as vaccines. I thought that a Christmas Lecture would be a brilliant way to encourage the public to take an interest in the wondrous science that is all around them."
Tickets for this event are free and it is open to members of the public and children over 8. To obtain your free ticket, please email christmaslecture@sheffield.ac.uk. Doors will open at 5.30pm with the drinks reception to be held afterwards. For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk
« Return to news releases
|
