Week In Geek: 18-24 March 2013

By Londonist Last edited 132 months ago
Week In Geek: 18-24 March 2013

How would you make a difference? Focus on the Positive, details below.London events for people with curious minds.

NATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING WEEK: Organised by the British Science Association, this festival of science runs all week. We've included some of the main adult events below, but do check out the full programme for London.

Monday 18 March

FOREIGN BODIES: This exhibition, curated by a team of UCL PhD students, invites audiences to explore the idea of what is alien to us - biologically, socially, psychologically and physically. Free, just turn up, until 14 July

CANNABIS: Gresham College is hosting Cannabis Britannica: The Rise and Demise of a Victorian Wonder-Drug, a lecture discussing the sudden interest and subsequent anxieties behind the drug during the Victorian era. Free, just turn up, 1pm

INTERNET: We are a society in the digital age and in this talk at The Royal Institution, Evgeny Morozov takes a look at where the 21st century is taking us and what paths we can still choose. £10/£7, prebook, 7pm

Tuesday 19 March

MONEY: As part of Glenn Wilson's series of lectures at Gresham College, today he tackles the subject of to what extent money affects human behaviour and how our relationship with money says a lot about who we are. Free, just turn up, 6pm

SECRETS: This month's Bright Club, at the Wilmington Arms, is themed around secrets, as academics and comedians reveal their own. £5, prebook, 7.30pm

Wednesday 20 March

DARWIN'S LONDON: Joe Cain discusses the important locations in London for Charles Darwin, in a talk at the ever-excellent Grant Museum. Free, just turn up, 6pm

DIVIDED NATIONS: Professor Ian Goldin leads this lecture on why global governance is failing, focusing on the financial crisis, the internet, pandemics, migration and climate change, in order to highlight the need for global action. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm

Thursday 21 March

MEDICINE: Thereapeutic antibodies (building molecules like those in the immune system to fight disease) is a recent and growing area of medicine. Sir Gregory Winter speaks at Imperial College about the story so far, and the potential. Free, prebook, 5.30pm

SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY: Sticking in the area, the Imperial Fringe event is an evening of events and performances loosely themed around synthetic biology — everything from materials made from spider silk to using synthetic DNA to control beer cloudiness. Free, just turn up, 5.30-8.30pm

WINNERS AND LOSERS: Apparently, Australia's success at cricket is negatively correlated  with the nation's economic success. Professor Douglas McWilliams looks at the future of key economies and judging by Australia's track record, should be able to predict who will be winning the Ashes in years to come. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm

POSITIVITY: Focus on the Positive is an event all about how we can tackle the world's problems, run by University College London and taking place at The Phoenix, Cavendish Square. Come along and help change the world. £5/£3, prebook, 7.30pm

Friday 22 March

ROYAL SOCIETY CONTRIBUTORS: Discover the unsung heroes whose graphic skills were indispensable for the meetings and publications of the early Royal Society (1660-1720). You may recognise some names, but the majority remain little known. Free, just turn up, 1pm

CELL THERAPY: Join Professor Chris Mason as he explores the promise, progress, pitfalls and politics of the ever-growing industry of cell therapy, and how nations are racing to become the best in the field. Please note that it is customary to attend these Friday Discourses in evening or smart dress. £15, prebook, 8pm

Saturday 23 March

MODEL RAILWAYS: The London Festival of Railway Modelling is choo choo-ing its way into Alexandra Palace this weekend. Over 100 exhibitors will be showing their product ranges  and there will also be modelling theatres, tips, advice and interactive acitivies for the kids. £11/£5, prebook, 9.30am

HANDS-ON SCIENCE: Royal Holloway University of London lies just outside London in Surrey, but has a strong programme of science events all week. The festival culminates today with an all-day hands-on family fun day, where you can play with levitation, take on a robot at Connect 4, and other activities. Free, just turn up, 10am-4pm

PROMENADE THEATRE: Anatomize is an immersive, promenade performance around the Hunterian Museum of surgery, which brings to life (not literally) John Hunter's grizzly collection of specimens. Free, just turn up, 2pm, 3pm or 4pm

WALK: Laurence Scales leads a science and engineering walk starting in Holborn. £10, prebook, 2.30pm

STAR-GAZING: Why not head to Hampstead Observatory this Saturday to make the most of their winter season and the only free working telescope in London. Please note the Observatory is only open if the sky is clear. Free, just turn up, 8pm

Sunday 24 March

ANAESTHESIA: Find out about John Snow's pioneering work on chloroform and ether, as medical historian Stephanie Snow explores the controversy that surrounded the development of anaesthetics. Free, prebook, 3pm

Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments or email matt@londonist.com to tip us off about future events.

Last Updated 18 March 2013