Popular science festival brings world-class speakers to Waterford
Professor Veronica Campbell (President, SETU), who will be speaking
The Annual Robert Boyle Summer School returns this June, bringing world-class speakers to Waterford and inviting science enthusiasts, curious minds and culture lovers alike to explore 'The Brain: Past, Present & Future'.
Celebrated as a science festival for everyone, not just scientists, the 13th Summer School will blend thought-provoking talks with cultural activities in Waterford City and Lismore, with a garden party in the stunning surroundings of Lismore Castle, the birthplace of Boyle in 1627.
Building on the success of January’s Winter School at the RDS, this year’s programme features a line-up of leading thinkers from neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry and the arts promising a weekend of inspiring dialogue, discovery and connection.
The Summer School’s programme also includes a range of events, such as a walking tour of historic Waterford, visit to Blackwater Distillery, home of Robert Boyle Gin and garden party in the beautiful surroundings of Lismore Castle Gardens.
Speakers this year include Professor Ray Dolan FRS (University College London) a native of Galway who is regularly cited in the top five neuroscientists in the world.
Also speaking is professor Colin Doherty (Trinity College Dublin), a consultant neurologist at St James’s hospital and head of the School of Medicine TCD.
Colin comes from a family of artists and musicians.
He will explore “The Neurobiology of Drawing”, blending his expertise in neurology and his lifelong passion for art.
Professor Luke Gibbons (Maynooth University) has published widely on Irish culture and criticism.
He will investigate how critical responses to Darwin were shaped by cultural as well as religious and scientific factors.
Professor Gibbons outlines that Irish responses, most notably in James Joyce’s Ulysses and related ‘Celtic’ interventions, emphasised co-operation rather than competition as driving forces in evolution.
Dr. David Delany (SETU) will present 'The Science of the Superhuman', unveiling a radical new theory of intelligence and how we might train ourselves to unlock extraordinary cognitive potential.
Also speaking at this year's event will be Professor Veronica O’Keane (Emeritus Professor TCD), who has over 30 years of experience in the field of psychiatry focusing in particular on mood disorders and on perinatal depression.
Dr. Nora Salaberry (Calmast, SETU) will host an interactive session on perception, offering an interesting insight into how our brains interpret the world.
Events will take place in Waterford and in Lismore from June 5 to 8.
