Join the conversation: the search for life beyond Earth

Is there life beyond Earth and if so how close are we to finding it? Some of the world’s leading astronomers and astrophysicists are to explore this question in public and this is the opportunity for you to join the conversation by asking your question to the panel.

Exeter’s Professor Isabelle Baraffe, will be joined by Professor Didier Queloz (University of Cambridge), who discovered the first exoplanet 20 years ago, to explore how their research partnership into exoplanets and Terra Hunting Experiments are teaching us more about our own planet, its history, and its future. Astrophysicist and research partner, Professor Nikolai Piskunov (Uppsala University) will join the panel to answer questions from Exeter’s alumni and supporters.

You can submit a question to the panel during the event and then follow the answers via the Twitter feed @UoEGlobalConvo. Submit your questions to be read at the event by emailing them to J.E.Harding@exeter.ac.uk or tweet using the hashtag #uoeglobalconvo.

The event will be hosted by Exeter’s Provost, Professor Janice Kay. There will also feature a pop-up exhibition by Pandora Mond, artist in residence at Exeter’s Astrophysics Department.

Looking forward to the event, Professor Isabelle Baraffe said: "It is important to explain in open debates like this the challenges and the possibilities for our quest to find Earth-twins. It’s also important for non-scientists and some of the major influencers in our society to understand what needs to be developed in the future, both in terms of technology and of scientific models and theories."

Professor Janice Kay went on to add: "Global Conversation events are designed to show how Exeter, working in collaboration with its partners across the world, is having an impact on many of the global challenges and shared interests we face today. Our Global Conversation series is not only a window on what Exeter’s leading researchers do, it shows how they work with their international counterparts and policy-makers to investigate and address some of the most fundamental questions confronting all of us wherever we are located."

Launched in March 2015 with two events in Hong Kong, the Global Conversation series explores how the University of Exeter, working in collaboration with its partners across the world, is having an impact on many of the shared global challenges we face. Events in the series focus on common issues and problems, from Climate Change to Dementia, and encourage conversation between experts in their fields, guests and a wider public audience.

In November 2015, University of Exeter faculty will be visiting North America to participate in further Global Conversations, answering questions on topics surrounding the environment, health and disadvantage. For more, visit the Global Conversation webpage.

If you would like to attend this event in Paris on 26 June, please see visit the event listing for more details and reserve your place by completing the online booking form.

Tweets by @UoEGlobalConvo