Whenever possible, we hold seminars within the physics department and when unable to fill our seminar program we attend
inaugural lectures for newly appointed Professors through the University, organised by the events department. We were all
happy to attend the inaugural lecture of our own Prof Steve Lloyd who many of us have been taught by in our degrees, as well
as Prof Jim Emerson, who until 2004 was with us in the physics department, but moved to the Astronomy Unit.
For many years we have had lectures on areas of physics and other related subjects from members of our own department, others
in our university and from across the UK and Europe. In 2003, Mr Mark Dolwer talked to us about 'Science and Christianity'
which sparked many debates for a while after and in 2004, Dr David Dunstan gave a talk entitled 'Casting Light on Pain'.
This was an enlightening lecture based on the reaction to a laser pulse on the skin.
The areas of Physics which we have been party to over the years is varied also. In 2004 alone we had talks on Dark Matter
(Prof Lahov), Nanotechnology (Dr Mark Baxendale) and Quantum Gravity (Dr Fay Dowker) to name a few.
We have also had past students of our Physics department come back to talk to us about their current field of study. In 2002,
Dr Otti .... ) came to us from Edinbourough to tell us about Photoluminescence which he began studying during his undergraduate
project. Then in 2003, Dr Mark Kidger, whilst visiting the UK from Tenerife to do a piece for 'The Sky at Night', came and
told us about his work in Asteroids and the current missions to explore them.
With funding from the Students Union, we are able to provide refreshments and snacks at these seminars, free to our members and
at a minimal cost to non-members. With the aid of Nexus, the student branch of the Institute of Physics, we are able to
advertise to all students at our University.
