Science over schooners

The community and science came together earlier this month when Science in the Pub arrived in Newcastle, bringing conversation around new technologies to The Grand Hotel. The inaugural event was a success with over 100 people turning up to hear from the University of Newcastle’s panel of researchers.

The complicated issues surrounding biotechnology, genetics and ethics were tackled by Laureate Professor John Aitken, Professor Pablo Moscato and Professor Rodney Scott.

The focus then turned to the audience with many people posing questions to the panel, including current University students across Health and Science. Some of the concerns raised were with government policies and regulation, the role and impact of ethics committees on research and the cost for the public to access these new technologies.

Conversations like this rolled throughout the evening and could have easily gone on all night. Event organiser Frankie Lee from the science communication agency, Science in Public, was extremely impressed with the turn out and audience engagement.

“We should apologise to the many people who didn’t get a seat or couldn’t fit in, but thanks to the community for coming out in droves to meet some of your local researchers,” said Frankie.

“The three scientists really enjoyed the chance to hear what people think. Most of the survey forms I read and the people I spoke to said we need more of these events” she added.

The event was presented by ABC Newcastle, The University of Newcastle and the Australian Government and was the first of nine Science in the Pub sessions to take place in regional centres around Australia, with the next to kick off in Hobart next month.

For more information about the evening including social media posts, please visit the Engage Newcastle website.