Feature Friday: Convergence Science Network

Today I want to introduce you to an organisation that is very close to my heart, the Convergence Science Network. The Network runs a whole host of free biomedical science information events, open to the general public. These events are aimed at people from within the sciences and those with no previous science understanding alike. The goal of the Network is to engage and involve people in the incredible advances in biomedical sciences, and to promote understanding and accessibility of these breakthroughs within society.

In 2012 I attended their annual Graeme Clark Oration, a large free seminar where an influential researcher presents their career journey and findings. I was in my final year of high school at the time, and trying to figure out what to do with life. The guest speaker was Professor Dame Linda Partridge, talking about her research in the field of ageing. I was so inspired by all the work she had done in her research career, and the impact her findings would have on the rest of the world that I decided science was where I wanted to go.

Unfortunately, the Graeme Clark Oration for 2020 was cancelled in light of the pandemic. But they’re still running a whole host of events online!

And speaking of the pandemic, their next event is called “The past, present and future of COVID-19”. The event is an online public forum, where you can ask your questions to a team of experts from the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity. The panel is moderated by none other than our own extraordinary Catriona Nguyen-Robertson, who will be joining our teaching team for the second half of 2020. You can register to attend the event for free here.

I also highly recommend subscribing to their YouTube page, where they share some of their amazing past events, including some of their previous Graeme Clark Orations. Some of my favourites are the neuroscience (or lack thereof) behind gendered brains, building brain model circuits in silicon (what is it with me and brains?!) and discussing a documentary on people’s perception of vaccines.

I hope you find their events and videos as inspiring as I did!

You can also follow the Convergence Science Network on Facebook and Twitter to keep in the loop with their upcoming events.

– Written by Rosie Arnold