A Bigger Picture of Science
Workshop series, Feb – April 2013
1.
Feb.25
Why History Matters: Modern history (the last 100 years or so). What were the really groundbreaking discoveries? Rediscovery of Mendelian genetics by de Vries et al ~1900. Structure of DNA, if
Watson & Crick had not described it, would someone else soon have done so? Is discovery of the genetic
code more important? Is the DNA story so well known just because of Watson’s book?
Speakers: Roy Bicknell (Immunity and Infection)
2.
March 4
Evolution matters: Early days, Erasmus Darwin (and his poetry), Lamarck (and Philosophie
Zoologique), Darwin and the Origin. What they actually said, how their ideas were promulgated and how
they were misrepresented and misused. The pairing of Natural Selection with Mendelian Genetics, the
New Synthesis, the power of DNA and the Selfish Gene. Is this the whole story or are we being misled
(again) by seductive metaphors and presentation?
Speakers: Alice Roberts, Mark Pallen (Biosciences)
3.
March 11 Scientific revolutions: how paradigms become established and how they can limit our thinking.
What causes paradigms to change (Kuhn)? The origins of creativity, is there such a thing as a “creative
environment”. What can scientists learn from practitioners of other forms of creative activity? Where is the
common ground?
Speakers: Pietro Corsi (History, Oxford University), Bryan Turner (Cancer Sciences)
4.
March 18 The Power of Presentation; Science and the Performing Arts: balancing performance and
content, can a mediocre play be rescued by a brilliant production? Can the meaning of a brilliant play be
lost as a result of a bad production? Does this apply to science? Can we come up with examples of each
situation?
Speakers: Steve Ball and colleagues (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Alice Roberts (Biosciences)
5.
March 25 The Power of Words; Science and Literature: words can educate and deceive. The scientist
as story-teller in papers, reviews and public engagement. How best to get the message across. The
power (and danger) of metaphors, why titles matter. How are scientists viewed in literature, how do we
view ourselves?
Speakers: Claire Preston (English), Chris McCabe (Experimental Medicine)
6.
April 15
Science in Birmingham; more than 200 years of translational research: Erasmus Darwin
(physician, philosopher and poet), Priestley, Boulton, Watt and the Lunar Society. William Withering and
digitalis, links to Jenner, Harvey, Pasteur.
Speakers: Philip Johnson (Cancer Sciences), Jonathan Reinarz (History of Medicine Unit)
Delivery
The planned venue (Centre for Professional Development, Medical School) will take an audience of up to 90, but we
are aiming for attendances of no more than 80 to facilitate discussion (and catering).
We encourage people to sign up for all sessions (ie. to regard this as a course rather than a series of unconnected
lectures).
Each session is designed to last about 1½h (16.00 – 17.30) plus a (flexible) 30min period, with drinks, for informal
discussion. There will be a 5-10min introduction to each session from the designated chairman (myself or one of the
co-organisers) to spell out the aims of the workshop. There will then be two 25min presentations from invited
speakers, followed by a 25min discussion session, moderated by the designated chairman. This will be followed by
drinks and snacks in an adjacent room to allow further discussion. The drinks session is intended to be an integral part
of the workshops).