THE power of our poo, fussy eaters and hamsters are just some of the subjects that will be discussed in a series of upcoming talks over the next eight months in Bradford

The Café Scientifique series are events open to the public to hear about, discuss and debate some of the most recent advances and discoveries in science and healthcare, and their importance to society.

A number of the events over the next few months will feature academics from the University of Bradford.

Each event is led by an academic, who will speak about a certain issue for around 30 minutes, with the aim of demystifying and explaining in simpler, more understandable terms, their ideas to the collective audience.

One event takes place every month until June 2019.

The first of these events took place last week, on Thursday, October 18, held at the University of Bradford’ Theatre in the Mill, located off Shearbridge Road on the university’s main campus.

At that event, Dr Martin Brinkworth, a senior lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, spoke about how science is aiming to solve the problem of male infertility, which stops thousands of men from being able to have children.

Events are split between the Theatre in the Mill and the National Science and Media Museum in the city centre, always running on a Thursday from 6.30pm. They are all free with no need to book, and refreshments will be available.

Professor Marcus Rattray, head of the school of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences and professor of Pharmacology, welcomed the series of talks to the city.

He said: “It is great that Bradford now has a Café Scientifique series so that everyone can find out about the latest thinking in science over a cup of coffee or glass of wine.

“The format of the events means that the talks are relatively short and accessible, with lots of time for discussion.”

The next event, which will take place on November 15, is being presented by Professor John Bridgeman at the National Science and Media Museum ‘Lates’ event.

In it, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Transfer will discuss ‘The Power of Poo’, and how our waste can be used for the benefit of society.

The next event, on December 6 at the Theatre in the Mill, is titled ‘How sex might help us fight cancer’, and will be presented by Professor Alastair Goldman, Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences.

This will be followed in the New Year by a talk from Dr Ellie Bryant, lecturer in psychology and counselling. ‘Kids and eating, what’s the problem?’ will take place at Theatre in the Mill on January 24.

On February 21, ‘What does your hair say about you?’ will by led by Dr Julie Thornton, senior lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, at Theatre in the Mill.

March 14’s talk, at the Media Museum, will be by Dr Gisela Helfer, lecturer in Medical Sciences, and is titled ‘What your pet hamster can teach us about obesity’.

‘Can technology help us to live well as we get older?’ is the title of Professor Gail Mountain, professor of Applied Dementia Research’s talk on April 18, at Theatre in the Mill.

Professor Fun Hu, professor of Wireless Communication, will ask ‘What does a future city look like?’ on May 16 at Theatre in the Mill. The final event of the series, on June 13, will see Dr Elaine Brown, senior lecturer in Mechanical & Process Engineering, discussing Ultrasonics at the same venue.