UCL200 and the Royal Society present this special collaboration, marking UCL’s Bicentenary with a panel of UCL’s visionary science communicators with research expertise spanning advances in medicine, emerging technologies, the future of food and sustainability. Together, the panellists will explore some of the most important ways that science will shape the next 200 years.
The evening promises a rich, high-energy discussion on the cosmic biological, technological and material foundations of daily life. The event invites open conversation and debate and will discuss audience questions as we reflect on how science can serve future generations.
Hosted by Mark Miodownik MBE, material scientist, engineer, broadcaster and award-winning author, the panel will bring together leading voices including:
– Dame Polina Bayvel is a Royal Society Research Professor and Professor of Optical Communications & Networks at UCL and her contributions have been recognised with major honours.
– Kevin Fong OBE is a doctor, broadcaster and science communicator known for his unique career traversing emergency medicine, astrophysics and space exploration. He has worked for NASA and hosts The NHS: Who Cares?
– Chris van Tulleken is a doctor, scientist, TV and radio broadcaster and author of bestselling Ultra Processed People and is an Associate Professor at UCL specialising in infectious diseases and global health.
Mark Miodownik, Royal Society Professor for Public Engagement in Science (UCL Department of Mechanical Engineering) said:
“In a world changing so fast it may seem a ridiculous task to look far ahead and to speculate on how science and engineering will influence the evolution of human civilisation. But 200 years ago innovators at UCL, the Royal Society and other far-sighted institutions did just that. Through their brilliance and endeavour they created our modern world with its advanced healthcare, transport and food production systems. I am excited to be part of an event where we look ahead optimistically the next 200 years of human life on this and other planets.”
