Agile Rabbit

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 violence, but also the hope that can be found in those dark places? What is the point of bearing witness to the atrocities of war? What difference can journalism make? As one of Britain's leading foreign correspondents, Christina Lamb has never wavered from giving a voice to the unsung heroes of war, often women like the cyclists in Kabul, the Zimbabwean lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, and the famous Malala. In this talk, Christina Lamb speaks about the defining moments of her career as an author and journalist: travelling with the Mujahidin, the resistance fighting Soviet occupation in Afghanistan during the Cold War, being in a 360 Taliban ambush, and surviving a bus bombing at an assassination attempt on Pakistan's Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. After 38 years of reporting from the most dangerous places on earth, Christina shares why she still goes to war, asking what we can learn about humans, conflict, and resilience. CHRISTINA LAMB Author and Foreign Correspondent Christina Lamb is one of Britain's leading foreign journalists as well as a bestselling author. Her despatches with the Afghan mujaheddin fighting the Soviet Union saw her named Young Journalist of the Year at the age of 22. She has since reported everywhere from Iraq to Ukraine, Israel to Zimbabwe and been awarded Foreign Correspondent of the Year seven times as well as Europe's top war reporting prize, the Prix Bayeux, the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from both the Society of Editors and Women in Journalism as well as the Chesney Gold Medal for promoting the understanding of war, previously awarded to Henry Kissinger and Winston Churchill. She has always particularly focused on what war does to women, and her book Our Bodies, Their Battlefields about sexual violence in conflict was described by leading historian Antony Beevor as ‘the most powerful book' he had ever read and recently recommended by Queen Camilla in a speech. She has written ten books including co-authoring the international bestseller I Am Malala. She is a Global envoy for UN Education Cannot Wait, Honorary Fellow of University College Oxford, on the board of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, and an Associate of the Imperial War Museum and was awarded an OBE in 2013.

In this live event, Joshua Howgego takes 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 do we look for them? Together, we follow the footsteps of scientists, explorers, and hobbyists to uncover more about the world's rarest rocks and the secrets within them. Josh will helps us piece together an unexpected new history of the solar system. Find out more in Josh's new book: The Meteorite Hunters JOSHUA HOWGEGO Editor New Scientist Magazine Joshua Howgego is a science journalist based in London. Josh originally trained as a chemist and obtained his PhD at the University of Bristol. He also has a degree in science communication from Imperial College London. After having written for numerous titles, including Times Higher Education, SciDev.Net and Nature, he now works as a feature editor at New Scientist magazine, where he covers physical science.

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? Listen to Dr. Abby Russel and Charlie Kelman discuss nine things you never knew about neurodiversity (or maybe you did!). Abby is a scientist based at the University of Exeter Children and Young People's Mental Health Research Collaboration. Together we look at specific facts about neurodivergence but also delve deeper into things that could help or hinder neurodivergent people. We learn more about our senses, hyper- and hypo-sensitivity, and whether neurodivergence is increasing in the UK – or are we simply becoming more aware of it?

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 take a closer look at what recent surface missions have taught us and why NASA scientists are so curious about the red planet. Claire shares weather reports from the Perseverance Rover which describe a tumultuous place of violent dust storms, desert landscapes, and wildly fluctuating temperatures. Together we explore the key differences and similarities between weather on Earth and Mars. CLAIRE NEWMAN Dr. Claire Newman is a planetary atmospheric scientist who works on weather and climate on Mars and Titan, specialising in the study of dust storms. She is a team member on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover, InSight Mars lander, and Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, as well as the upcoming Dragonfly Titan rotorcraft.

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 report of weight gain, brain fog, joint pain, anxiety, depression, dry skin, and hot flashes. Dr. Tina Cartwright joins us from the University of Westminster to chat about what perimenopause and menopause actually are and how they manifest in women differently. Tina talks about recognising your symptoms to help you ask for the right support – whether from your employer or your GP. We also look at how exercise, CBT, yoga, and cold water swimming can support wellbeing during this time of transition.

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 takes us on an investigative safari to take a closer look at what happens when so called pathogens enter the human body. ROBIN MAY School of Biosciences University of Birmingham Robin is Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Birmingham and succeeded Sir Chris Whitty last year as the 39th Gresham Professor of Physic. He is currently serving as Chief Scientific Adviser to the Food Standards Agency, where he provides independent science advice to the UK Government on food policy.

Join Dr. Diana Tingley, from the University of Exeter for a walk and talk around Ludwell Valley Park New laws say that housing developments must leave the natural environment in a better state than beforehand, known as Biodiversity Net Gain. We discuss whether the current legislation can work well for people and nature at the same time, and whether it goes far enough. We also talk about the benefits to people from being able to access nature and whether social justice has a role to play in all of this. Dr. Diana Tingley Diana works at the cross section between academia, business, policy and public engagement as a Senior Research Fellow in the Land, Environment ,Economics and Policy (LEEP) Institute, University of Exeter. Her current research focuses on public preferences for how Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain can be delivered in practice. With contributions from: Professor Ian Bateman: Co-Director LEEP , University of Exeter. Chris Moulton: Nature Reserve Officer, Devon Wildlife Trust. Sara Eppel: Nature And People Foundation Members of the public at the 'walkie talkie' event, Ludwell Park 2024 Further information: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/leep/ This work is supported with funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Celebrating Ada Lovelace Day and the pioneering research of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 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. However, the risks – including algorithmic bias, invasion of privacy, and the power of big business – are well versed. So how can we ensure that data science and AI is working for and not against us? Hear about how ideas from computer and data scientists – particularly women – are empowering diversity, cooperation and prosperity for all. As many of us turn to generative AI to increase productivity at work, how can we be sure that the everyday tools we use are ethical and fair? This event is for The Joint Centre for Excellence in Environmental Intelligence. SPEAKERS JUDY WAJCMAN Principal Investigator for Women in Data Science and AI Alan Turing Institute Judy Wajcman is Principal Investigator for Women in Data Science and AI at the Alan Turing Institute. She also is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the London School of Economics (LSE). Her previous positions include the Anthony Giddens Chair in Sociology at the LSE and Professor of Sociology in the Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University. She has also held posts in Cambridge, Edinburgh, Manchester, Sydney, Warwick, most recently holding the Mellon Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. Judy has published widely in the fields of science and technology studies, feminist theory, work and organisations, and is probably best known for her analysis of the gendered nature of technology. Her books include The Social Shaping of Technology, Feminism Confronts Technology and TechnoFeminism. ANNA BALDYCHEVA Assistant Professor (Senior Lecturer) in Electronic Engineering Department of Engineering University of Exeter REBECCA KESBY Journalist BBC EKATERINA HERTOG Associate Professor in AI and Society Oxford Internet Institute University of Oxford

From naked mole rats and their teeth digging skills to kickboxing secretary birds, get ready to get your freak on. Dr. Steve Portugal from the Centre of Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour at the Royal Holloway University of London, has long been interested in the curious and peculiar behaviours of our fellow earthly inhabitants. STEVE PORTUGAL Steve Portugal is a comparative ecophysiologist. The common theme of his work focuses on how animals adapt their behaviour and ecology to the challenges of their environment, within the constraints of their own physiological and anatomical limitations. Such questions are particularly important in the light of global environmental change and exploitation of natural resources, in the emerging field of conservation physiology. From September, Steve will commence his new position as Associate Professor of Animal Behaviour at the University of Oxford and St Hugh's College.

The man behind much meaningful analysis of election statistics visits the South West for an exclusive event with Agile Rabbit. Sir John Curtice is in conversation with former Radio 4 presenter Ritula Shah. Using the latest poll data, Sir John will be sharing potential outcomes and reflecting on the implications for both politicians and the electorate. Sir John famously provides poll analysis on election nights for the BBC and is a regular contributor across the media. 20th June 2024

Nathan Lepora, Professor of Robotics and AI at the University of Bristol, shares his vast knowledge on most recent robotic developments. Professor Lepora is interested in the intersection of artificially embodied intelligence and neuroscience and how, in turn, this manipulates how we perceive our surroundings, learn, and interact with one another. He is the leader of the Dexterous Robotics Group in Bristol Robotics Laboratory, a collaborative research group that investigates and develops dexterous robots with a human-like sense of touch that can intelligently interact with their surroundings. Together with his research group, he has pioneered the use of 3D-printing for easy fabrication of tactile sensors, leading to multiple benefits from open-sourcing the technology to the integration into robot hands and grippers.

Professor Sabina Leonelli, Professor Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh, Professor Anthony King, Rebecca Kesby. 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 in providing regulation and reassurance. The AI landscape is complex, ranging from positive impacts such as healthcare advances to those more negative that affect real-life opportunities and services. So, what are the risks of AI as well as the transformative opportunities? This event was part of AI UK Fringe and in partnership with the University of Exeter's Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and the Alan Turing Institute.

Professor Penelope Endersby FREng, Hon FInstP, Professor Hywel Williams, George Monbiot, Professor Seth Bullock, Professor Sarah Hartley, James Coomarasamy 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? The UK's leading data scientists and environmental thinkers joined us for this special fringe event as part of AI UK Fringe, at Dartington Hall. We heard about how scientists and companies focus their efforts and research on how AI can support communities to navigate their water supply, what the technology can tell us about our changing weather, and whether it can increase harvest globally. This AI UK Fringe panel was for the University of Exeter's Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and in partnership with the Alan Turing Institute.

What fills the space between stars in our universe? Pure nothingness? After sparking interest with our curious audience at Standon Calling, Tessa Baker visited us in Exeter. She discusses 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 ‘sounds' called gravitational waves, which we can hear with some incredible instruments. Tessa Baker is Professor of Cosmology and Royal Society University Research Fellow at the University of Portsmouth. She take us on a journey through outer space, black holes, and the most violent events in the universe, to explain one of the most exciting scientific discoveries of the century, and what it means for our understanding of the cosmos.

From Partygate and Boris Johnson's farewell to Jeremy Corbyn handing over Labour's leadership to Keir Starmer – bestselling author John Crace takes 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 sketches have provided the nation with some desperately needed comic relief. He speaks about his new book, Depraved New World: Please Hold, the Government Will Be With You Shortly, capturing British politics at its most absurd. Recorded on December 3rd 2023 at Exeter Phoenix

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. We'll discover the fascinating ways in which Star Wars is inspired by real-world events and history. This event explores the films and their responses to real world moments. We also look at the books and computer games in the franchise, to see how they responded to the fall of the Soviet Union, genocides and ethnic cleansing in the 1990s, and both 9/11 and the Global War on Terror.

Funded by DEFRA's Resilience Innovation Programme, Blue Heart is investigating how rain, river and waste water move through Eastbourne and southern Wealden to help reduce the impact of flooding. Blue Heart are working with local organisations and communities to build resilience to flooding and other effects of climate change, be more sustainable and strengthen connections to our local environment. The latest BBC programme narrated by David Attenborough, Wild Isles, looks at the beauty of nature here in Britain and Ireland. We were joined by Nick Gates one of its directors and producers at the Towner Gallery in Eastbourne for a special event. Nick is a naturalist, producer, and writer based in Bristol. The South Downs feature in the series and Nick grew up in Sussex. With a passion for conservation, nature-friendly farming, and rewilding, he loves to find stories that inspire people to care for the natural world. This was a Blue Heart event recorded at Towner Gallery in Eastbourne You can find out more at blueheart.org.uk

Thursday 22 June 2023 Exeter Phoenix Prof David Butler FREng, Professor Tania Kovats, Trevor Bishop, Dr Sarah Ward, Anu Anand 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, and the positive ways scientists and engineers are building resilience. We're sharing the research behind the headlines, with a particular focus on the work of the Centre for Water Systems at the University of Exeter. We'll examine the science behind attribution; is there evidence that individual extreme flooding events were affected by Climate Change? How can we become more resilient in a changing world to extreme weather events and how does the artistic community work with scientists to communicate their work? This event is in partnership with the Centre for Water Systems at the University of Exeter, which is celebrating its 25 year anniversary.

CAN I TRUST SCIENCE? From anti-vaxxers to climate deniers, not everyone trusts science. A special live event with a panel of international experts to look at why there is mistrust and positive antidotes to deal with it. This discussion explores the Open Science movement, which is sweeping the globe promoting practices to make science more transparent and less biassed. One method is sharing data – that increases trust through openness and accelerates the quality of research. There are hurdles to sharing data: who owns it, how it's arranged, and the motivation of scientists when their careers are driven by publishing results. But are there limitations, a tyranny of openness? Sharing data without acknowledgement or payment may lead to exploitation of those who produced it. The panel examines the ethics of data and share positive solutions to make science more responsible, so we can all trust it. TIMANDRA HARKNESS SABINA LEONELLI TRAVIS COAN CAROLE GOBLE CBE FRENG FBCS JAMES COOMARASAMY

A lively discussion with some of the world's leading thinkers as we reassess our relationship with the internet and set out a positive vision of how it can be improved so we can reshape the digital world into a space where we can all flourish. In partnership with the Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Exeter HELEN MARGETTS OBE Director of the Public Policy Programme, Professor of Society and the Internet The Alan Turing Institute University of Oxford SILVIA MILANO Lecturer in Philosophy of Data and Data Ethics Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI) University of Exeter CHICO CAMARGO Lecturer in Computer Science (E&R) Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI) University of Exeter RITULA SHAH (CHAIR) Lead Presenter, The World Tonight BBC Radio 4

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 for display or to deter predators?

Psychedelic drugs are gaining attention in the pharmaceutical industry because of increasing scientific evidence of their potential benefits for people suffering with psychiatric disorders. Join world experts David Nutt, Dr David Erritzoe, Professor Christine Hauskeller, Dr Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes, and BBC host Ritula Shah to look at the medical, societal, and historical implications of these recent discoveries. This event took place at Dartington Hall as part of FUTURES2022, a festival of discovery across the South West of England and online on Friday 30 September and Saturday 1 October, funded by UK Research and Innovation. Find out more at https://futuresnight.co.uk/

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 has imported, quarantined and assisted the reestablishment of beavers in waterways across the UK. For 400 years they have been hunted to the point of extinction, cast as pests, enemies of landowners and destroyers of habitats. Their fur, oils, glands and meat helped build North America and fueled international trade. In recent years the beaver is making a dramatic and welcomed comeback. Beavers are being recognised as nature's architects, whose dams help to filter water, stop run-off and reduce flooding, while also providing much needed habitat for a range of wetland wildlife. Held in high esteem by fellow rewilders, including Chris Packham and Isabella Tree, Derek is a maverick communicating the urgent need to bring these charismatic creatures back to Britain. They are, he passionately believes, a key to ecological recovery.

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 system. Perhaps without even knowing it, everyone has a familiarity with the nervous system's influence on their own behaviour and the behaviour of others. This gives neuroscience a unique and largely untapped potential compared to other sciences. Dr. Danbee “Tauntaun” Kim is a Korean-American neuroscientist and teacher who earned her BSc in Brain and Cognitive Sciences from MIT, where they also spent 10 years acting, directing, choreographing, costuming, and writing original content for the MIT Musical Theater Guild. While completing her PhD with Dr. Adam Kampff at the Champalimaud Neuroscience Program, Danbee authored a graphic novel version of their doctoral dissertation called The First VIRS. Danbee's current focus is developing a framework for precisely observing nervous systems in ecologically relevant settings, aka “field neuroscience”. This includes studying cuttlefish, building interactive exhibits, and using comics and circus as a tool for education and research. To learn more, you can visit www.danbeekim.org.

SHOLTHANA BEGUM Head of Regtech and Data Innovation Bank of England PETER CHALLENOR Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI) University of Exeter TIM DODWELL Professor in Computational Mechanics Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI) University of Exeter NOOR SHAKER CEO Glamorous AI RITULA SHAH (CHAIR) Lead Presenter, The World Tonight BBC Radio 4 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 for our decisions, regulate our systems, and reduce the impact of uncertainty to solve real-world problems Which areas of our lives will have the most rapid changes? What does this tell us about what it means to be human? This event is in partnership with the University of Exeter Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

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 reveals what really matters in education, debunking myths and misconceptions that can harm children's learning. Professor Eliot Major's work helps parents to focus on the effective use of their time, which leads to better outcomes for children, but also a more balanced life. Based on the findings of thousands of studies alongside many personal parenting stories, we'll examine how to empower children so they become independent thinkers ready to prosper in the world.

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 enemy is our friend. Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health. As a result, a growing number of infections—such as pneumonia, sepsis and diarrhoea—are harder to treat. Professor Martha Clokie is leading the fight against antibiotic resistant bacterial infections with this vital research. In particular, her work shows the potential for the use of phages against superbugs such as Clostridium difficile, Salmonella, and Borrelia (the causative agent of Lyme disease). In May 2019, headlines around the world told the story of the successful phage treatment of Isabelle Carnell-Holdaway, a sufferer of cystic fibrosis who contracted tuberculosis, who was initially given a 1% chance of survival. As antibiotic resistance increases, and previously treatable diseases are left without a cure, our speaker asks if phages have a greater role to play in modern medicine. The fascinating history of phage therapy dates back to the 1910s in Georgia, but never reached widespread use following Stalanist purges, Cold War politics, and the wider use of antibiotics.

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 powerfully argues, is a symptom of capitalist failure, one that has haunted us throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty-first.

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

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

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. Exploring the many factors that make a psychopath, the complexities and contradictions of their emotions and behaviour, as well as an examination of how the lives of psychopaths develop inside and outside the institutions that treat them, this talk will open up a window into the world of those who operate outside of common human emotion.

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 change are not felt equally. Those on low incomes—who are already more likely to have worse health—will suffer most from weather extremes, food shortages and flood damages, causing further health problems. Health inequalities in the UK are already stark. If you are born in parts of Glasgow, your life expectancy is 26 years less than someone born in Kensington & Chelsea. Across Western Europe life expectancy can vary by up to 10 years. In this timely talk—followed by audience questions and discussion—Professor Karyn Morrissey discusses the current health inequalities crisis and how climate change will bring our health systems to the brink. Karyn’s research is informing city level responses to climate change.

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 Bristol-based outfit. Julian Hector discusses the relationship between Natural History Television and the conservation of the natural world it depicts. Julian looks at the power of documentaries to move the public, change government policy, and inspire scientists across the world. This talk reveals special secrets and stories behind the making of documentaries, while charting their effect on our attitudes and behaviour to a natural world in crisis. Followed by Q & A Held in partnership with Two Short Nights film festival and the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter.

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 been produced by black holes evaporating before the Big Bang. Sir Roger will explain how this is new evidence that our universe is just one stage in a potentially infinite cycle of cosmic extinction and rebirth.

Slides available here: glsr.it/creativitycode 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? In this talk, based on his bestselling book, Marcus du Sautoy examines the nature of creativity, as well as describing how algorithms work, and the mathematical rules underpinning them. He asks how much of our emotional response to art is a product of our brains reacting to pattern and structure, and exactly what it is to be creative in mathematics, art, language and music. Marcus finds out how long it might be before machines come up with something creative, and whether they might jolt us into being more imaginative in turn.

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. Professor John Curtice is the political scientist always at the centre of election night broadcasts for the BBC. He accurately predicted the results of the results in 2005, 2010, and 2015. Theresa May said that in pursuing Brexit she was delivering ‘the Brexit people voted for‘. Opponents of Brexit, often take the contrasting view that voters were misled during the EU referendum, and now that they are more aware of the supposed downsides of leaving the EU they should be given the chance to register their second thoughts in a second ballot. Professor Curtice examines the statistics behind both arguments.

When police unglued Farhana Yamin from the forecourt of the Shell building—during recent 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 rise up and rebel. Activism, she asserts, is key to affecting meaningful action that will combat Climate Change. Farhana’s work against Climate Change goes further back that recent protests. She worked on the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992, the Paris Agreement between 200 nations, and represents small island nations affected by Climate Change in international legal cases. There was hope that governments would follow scientific expertise when making long-term strategic policy. Farhana argues that governments’ resistance against real action makes activism necessary. Individual lifestyle adjustments make little difference, and governments must now lead—and protest will persuade them to.

Do you wonder if altering your diet, cutting down on flights, or declaring a climate emergency makes any difference to climate change? This lively discussion with world-leading speakers from politics, business, activism, and science, moves beyond superficial responses to the vital question ‘Can I do anything about climate change?’ Many of us are inspired to act against Climate Change. But can small individual actions ever make a real difference, or do we need radical activism to bring meaningful change? Perhaps a systems based approach is needed, so the most beneficial outcome is also the easiest. Agile Rabbit is delighted to welcome Cath Senior from the Met Office; Piers Forster, lead author of IPCC reports and member of the Committee on Climate Change; Molly Scott-Cato, our region’s Green MEP; Danny Chivers, poet, activist and writer; and Steffen Boehm, Professor in Organisation and Sustainability at the University of Exeter. Ritula Shah from the BBC’s The World Tonight chairs the discussion. Finally, Banco de Gaia closes the event with a musical piece commissioned by Lovelock Centenary.

In this timely talk, Professor Tamsin Ford discusses mental health and its relationship to education. She gets behind the headlines, asking if there is a mental health crisis for children and young people. Tamsin has been part of the team that carries out the official national, annual survey of children’s mental health since it began. Her research informs policy for health services and schools in the UK. Recently, Professor Tamsin Ford was awarded a CBE for her pioneering work on the mental health of children. We’ll discover how her vital research has found its way into the real world—impacting the services for children and young people.

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 our speaker, Professor Laura Mersini-Houghton. She’s a super-star scientist whose been interviewed by Jeremy Paxman, worked with Stephen Hawking and appeared with Morgan Freeman on Through The Wormhole. Predictions of her multiverse theory have been successfully tested by the Planck satellite and at CERN by the Large Hadron Collider, genuinely making new contributions to our understanding of nature of space and time, dark energy, and quantum physics.

We are living through disruption to politics and society. Increasingly this is delivered by individuals proudly claiming their rights to free speech. Should individual rights always take precedence over collective, social responsibility? Despite its flaws, do we need to defend political correctness in a turbulent world?

Explore South West launches 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 heralded the New Age of Discovery. Panel members will explain why the need to explore has never been more urgent and relevant, and how, in their own work they are contributing to a greater understanding of our planet through their discoveries. Chaired by Ritula Shah, BBC Radio 4 presenter, The World Tonight. Panel members include Faraz Shibli, Johanna Wadsley, Sam Lee & Niall McCann. This Friday night lecture preludes a one day seminar the following day: Explore South West at Exeter University, for anyone planning expeditions and field research overseas, with a focus on self-led student projects. The discussion is followed by a performance by folk singer and naturalist Sam Lee.

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 UK and their decline are Andrew’s passion. He will describe how genetic approaches – based at looking at a shark’s DNA – provide unique insights into the ecology and conservation of this animal that we find so fascinating.

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 difference we are making has little impact on the wider issues that we were aiming to resolve. Should we hold out hope for a cumulative effect, or do we need the wider mechanics of our society to alter to engender meaningful change? Or is waiting for society to change a way of absolving personal responsibility? Natalie Bennett, former leader of the Green Party, explores these question in this Agile Rabbit talk, followed by questions and bar-room discussion and socialising.

World famous anthropologist Maurice Bloch asks : 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 argument is illustrated with examples from Madagascar.

In this Agile Rabbit podcast, 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. John Ellis is a theoretical physicist interested in particle physics, astrophysics, cosmology and quantum gravity. For many years he worked for CERN, the European particle physics laboratory near Geneva.

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 hours were in the water. It led to a revelation that big environmental changes were taking place. The sea ice cover, previously in effect creating a protected marine reserve, was now receding. With it, the habitat was going, one that provides to a unique ecosystem that includes some of the largest, the longest-living, best-loved, and the least-researched animals on Earth. Pen reflects on the significant discoveries made by Arctic Mission last summer, and encourages all who listen to consider that exploration has never been more important or urgent in human history, if we are to live sustainably. Previously this series of talks was under the branding of Intrepid Explorers Exeter

Dr. Inma Adarves-Yorno is a mindfulness meditator, 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. The first part of Inma’s story will focus on the largest maximum security prison where the ingenious mindful leadership programme was born: inmates were transformed onto mindful leaders. She will also talk about disappointing long term impact in a female prison, where ‘mindful screaming’ was born and a seemly great failure in the worst prison in Kenya. Inma details how mindfulness is now moving beyond prisons walls to elsewhere in Kenyan society. Want to learn more about mindful leaders in Kenya? -----> http://sites.exeter.ac.uk/mindfulleaderskenya/ Previously this series of talks was under the branding of Intrepid Explorers Exeter

Helen spent a year living in an Owambo homestead in the remote North of Namibia. There, she conducted anthropological and biblical research into the relationship between African Traditional Religion and Christianity. An inexperienced fieldwork researcher at the outset, Helen encountered many highs and lows and, despite her best efforts, was challenged by the circumstances on numerous occasions. Helen was welcomed into a wonderful host family and community. In this talk, Helen will tell tales from the year, illustrating the unpredictable and challenging nature of fieldwork, as well as what she has learned for her next expedition. Previously this series of talks was under the branding of Intrepid Explorers Exeter

Dr Ceri Lewis (University of Exeter) talking at Exeter Intrepid Explorers in March 2018. Ceri Lewis shares her stories of her exciting field work in the arctic on the Catlin Arctic Survey. The Catlin Arctic Survey was an exciting multidisciplinary expedition, in which scientists and explorers investigated ocean acidification processes and their impact on marine organisms. The field trip involved camping on the sea ice in unheated tents at -40°C while collecting vital data. Ceri talks about the importance of the science conducted on this expedition, the challenges of working at a low temperature and key findings of her work. Previously this series of talks was under the branding of Intrepid Explorers Exeter

Steve explains how he has pioneered new ways of listening to the ocean and of interacting with fish (including 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 the quest for quieter seas. Steve’s research was featured in David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef series in 2015, and his work on underwater noise pollution screened in the final Episode of Blue Planet II. Previously this series of talks was under the branding of Intrepid Explorers Exeter