Events for Adults

Public Lecture supported by the Australian High Commission

Despite rapid advances in medical treatments and increased standards of living, most countries are battling spiralling health costs. Indeed many of the key indicators of the health and well-being of children are either stagnant or declining. This paradox points to an increasing complexity of the problems affecting children and young people in this millennium. Chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes are on the rise, along with mental health issues and behavioural problems. Professor Stanley will argue that narrow interventions that focus on the individual and address single risk factors are destined to fail. Worse, they often result in blame being levelled at the victim or the system. The health system alone cannot improve a population’s health. What is needed is a comprehensive approach that acknowledges cumulative biological, social and environmental risk factors.

Geoff Henderson, CEO of Windflow Technology Ltd, will address the big picture issues of the future of wind power in NZ; the environmental issues around wind power, in particular landscape issues; and consider the two “visions” of wind power currently being promoted in NZ, ie large turbines and large (>100 MW) projects vs medium-size turbines and small projects (<50 MW).

Supported by the Otago Branch, New Zealand Federation of Graduate Women
The popular new genre of neurosexism. In recent years, science books have claimed that ‘hard-wired’ differences in male and female neurology offer insight and solutions to many social and personal difficulties - from stress and exhaustion of working mothers, to the boy who won't read novels, to who should clean the toilet. I'll ask why neurosexism has such a popular appeal, and call for a less casual attitude towards pseudo-scientific sexism.
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Public Lecture supported by the Otago Branch of the New Zealand Federation of Graduate Women
Believing ads we don’t believe, wanting stuff we don’t want, and the ethics of advertising to children - When is it fair to market to children? The intense debate surrounding this question usually focuses on the age at which children have developed sufficient ‘media literacy’ to recognise advertising, understand its persuasive intent, and to approach marketing messages with skeptical antennae raised. But what if advertising doesn’t work that way? Increasingly, research suggests that advertising can ‘persuade’ in ways that bypass conscious awareness and rational reflection. This may help to explain the surprising finding that older, more media savvy children are no less influenced by advertising than their younger, more naive counterparts. The focus on marketing literacy may be the wrong way to think about whether, and when, it’s okay to market to kids. I will highlight the practical challenge to youth consumers and parents, and the ethical challenge to those who wish to advertise to them fairly.

Living to 90 and beyond is no longer exceptional. How has this happened? Come and hear Dr Jilly Evans’s intriguing talk on key medicines that have assisted in this change and how this intertwines with genetics and our environment. What will the future hold in our fast changing society – how will we combat chronic diseases or is there a wonder drug for eternal life?
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Supported by the NZ Lottery Grants Board

Sleep - we all do it and yet so much of it remains a mystery. How long should we sleep for, what do dreams mean, do babies dream, why do people sleep walk, why do we sleep at all? Brought to you by Chris KP (Pre-Coital, Great Big Science Gig) Somnium is a hilarious new science cabaret show exploring the science of sleep. With songs, comedy, and multimedia this is the truth as we know it, in its most entertaining form. Laugh, think and wonder, and go home with something to really dream about. Find out more

Join us as we interview Bernard Beckett on how to inspire young people to get involved in science and why does he find science so fascinating?  As a novelist and storyteller by nature, Bernard is fascinated by the delicate balance between scientific discovery and personal storytelling. Recipient of the Royal Society - 2005 Teacher Fellow and proudly supported by the Royal Society of New Zealand. Your breakfast (black pudding, haggis and porridge) is included in the price.
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...ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia and normal social development. Come to this Café Sci and ask three experts from the University of Otago about the latest research developments. Dione Healey and Ted Ruffman from the Department of Psychology together with Motohide Miyahara from the School of Physical Education will give an overview in their fields of research and answer all your questions.Find out more

Frontal Lobotomy - What Lies Beneath

It is hard to imagine that only 80 years ago a radical procedure was introduced that, for a brief period of time, was thought of as a viable cure for severe anxiety. In this lecture I will trace the history of frontal lobotomy, from the early studies in the 1930s through the 1950s when the introduction of the antipsychotic medication spelled the demise of the lobotomy procedure. Promoted as a joint contribution from the Department of Psychology and the Centre for Science Communication.

Chaired by Kim Hill, join us at this Café Sci and hear Hon. David Parker and others discuss about issues surrounding our planet - Peak Oil, Government Initiatives & the effect it has in on our everyday well-being. Proudly supported by the Alumni Office, Otago University.

Presented by the The Otago Institute, the Otago Branch of the
Royal Society of New Zealand
Professor George Lees will be giving a talk entitled "The elderly epidemic: The challenge of biomedical scientists of confronting brain deseases."
Prof Lees is Head of the Pharmacology Department at Otago University and is probing characteristics in ion channels and receptors in the central nervous system.

Are we born bad or are we raised bad? Clinical Psychologist, Nigel Latta asks the question and delves into the human psyche. He has spent the last 17 years working with child sex offenders, rapists, murderers, and violent offenders. You have seen Nigel on TV One's Real Crime Series "Beyond the Darklands". Now see him live: Don’t miss this controversial and entertaining take on the bad asses in our society.

A 30min presentation on the Orokonui Ecosanctuary Restoration Project, using the translocation of threatened jewelled gecko as an example of the science involved.

Action packed presentation by Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman on the research & statistics associated with our poorly insulated homes.  What is the health, environmental, cultural and social cost to our society and are solutions readily available?