Book now for the University’s European Researchers’ Night
Thu, 15 Sep 2016 16:02:00 BST
The Scent of Death, the science behind magician’s tricks, creating rock songs using AI and a Guinness World Record attempt – all on one night! – Friday 30 September
THE Scent of Death, the science behind magician’s tricks, creating rock songs using AI and a Guinness World Record attempt are just some of the line-up for the University of Huddersfield’s contribution to the European-wide international Researchers’ Night – on Friday 30 September starting at 4pm.
According to University organisers, the event is “free and interactive” and designed to appeal to both children and adults.
Street magicians such as David Copperfield, Derren Brown and Bradford’s Dynamo (pictured right) have left audiences amazed the world over with their stunts and tricks. Now, in a special ‘Magic of Science’ workshop held on the night, various tricks of the trade will be revealed whilst also showing the scientific principles which have been used by magicians for centuries.
Nik Taylor, a Subject Area Leader in Drama, Theatre and Performance at the University of Huddersfield, is hosting the workshop as part of the international European Researchers’ Night taking place on 30 September, which will see over one million people in 280 university towns and cities across Europe take part.
“During the workshop, we will be looking at how many magicians are interested in science and how they are able to fool your senses,” said Nik Taylor.
“Magicians were and are inventors often using science to enchant their audiences, though in very devious ways! You never know, you might even learn a magic trick that you can take away with you to amaze your friends too,” he added.
Among the several other events taking place on the night is the ‘Scent of Death’ workshop by Forensic Anthropologist Dr Anna Williams. Here, people attending will be given the grisly opportunity of smelling the different stages of decomposition as a body starts to decay after death.
For budding musicians there will be the chance to use a unique piece of software which creates rock songs using Artificial Intelligence, designed by Huddersfield PhD student Valerio Velardo and supervised by Dr Steven Jan and Dr Jonathan Wakefield.
Already fully sold out is the workshop for girls aged between 10 and 16 and facilitated in partnership with Yorkshire Sound Women on how to make a fully working electronic synth with Nina Richards. Afterwards Dr Liz Dobson will lead a composition masterclass with the newly built synths.
Other highlights of the evening include:
- A Guinness World Record attempt with Dr Chris Cooper using a breast cancer protein
- A European Corner that will showcase the University’s collaborations and some of the exciting research that the University is involved with across the European Union (EU)
- Lectures and expert talks including an interactive session with Dr Chris Street to discover more about clues of deception and telling lies. The audience will be invited to guess who is telling the truth and who is lying during a live presentation.
- The opportunity to discover how to isolate DNA from fruits and vegetables using simple everyday items you can find at home with the University's Research Fellow in Archaeogenetics Dr Francesca Gandini
- A Eureka! research station where children can create a real meteorite, make their own alka-seltzer rocket, try out a robotic arm and lots of other fun experiments to inspire enquiring minds
The evening will finish with a bang by means of a grand finale and fireworks display.
- To register for the free event, visit www.hud.ac.uk/steam.
