Join our 15–20 minute Discovery Talks to hear researchers share what they’re exploring, why it matters, and what they’ve uncovered so far. You’ll have the chance to ask questions and you could stay longer to explore the Discovery Day research fair and meet even more of the people behind the research.
The Talks (each talk will happen in both the morning and afternoon Discovery Day sessions)
Greenhouse Gas Detectives – Elena Fillola (11:15 and 2:00)
Greenhouse gases are changing the Earth’s climate — but where do they come from? It’s a case for chemist Elena and her team, who follow clues in the atmosphere to trace the sources of greenhouse gas emissions. If gases are released illegally, they can even use the evidence in the air to help pin down the culprits and solve climate crimes! Join Elena to find out how she uses cutting edge technology to track down the truth.
Elena Fillola is a researcher at the University of Bristol’s Atmospheric Chemistry Research Group (ACRG). She is an interdisciplinary researcher, using AI to speed up the methods of estimating greenhouse gas emissions.
Going Underground: The Hunt for Dark Matter Vedanshu Mahajan – (12:00 and 2:45)
Did you know that most of the mass of the universe is invisible? We may not be able to see it, but scientists think that they might finally be able to track it down by journeying a mile beneath the Earth’s surface and deploying the world’s most sensitive light detectors. Join physicist Vedanshu Mahajan to discover what ‘dark matter’ really is, why it often gets called a WIMP, and what it means for us all – ultimately, why dark matter matters.
Vedanshu Mahajan is a Doctoral candidate in the School of Physics, and works on the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment, a deep underground direct detection dark matter search.
Pond scum: Friend or Foe? – Ash Winter (10:30 and 3:30)
Have you ever spotted bright green ‘pond scum’ on a lake or pond, next to a sign warning you not to swim? Dive into this talk to find out why this slimy stuff might be more exciting than it looks. With some medicines losing their power, we’re searching for new ideas in unexpected places – and pond scum could hold the key to the next generation of treatments. Join biochemist Ash Winter to discover how, and decide for yourself: is it hero or villain?
Ash Winter has worked as a biochemical researcher at the University of Bristol since 2014. His current focus is on antimicrobial resistance and understanding how medicine and chemicals are made through various intricate production lines within bacteria.
Want to come? Book a free ticket to either the morning or afternoon session of FUTURES Discovery Day. You will get access to the talks and the Discovery Day research fair. Please note you will not get access to the permanent exhibition floors of We The Curious.
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