The Lizard Peninsula by Dr Ilya Maclean, who is holding a lecture about his research at the Aquarium’s Spring Event Series

Leading university researchers to deliver talks at local aquarium

Falmouth Aquarium, in collaboration with the University of Exeter, is hosting a series of public lectures from January which will see leading researchers discussing topical issues from climate change and food security to how we can reduce our own individual energy usage. 

The talks are part of the Aquarium’s Spring Event Series and will feature a host of experts including researchers from the University of Exeter Penryn Campus. University researchers taking part in the programme include:

Wednesday 29 January

Professor Chris Caseldine, Professor of Geography - Arctic lakes help scientists understand climate change

A clearer picture of climate change is emerging from the sediment drawn from the bottom of Arctic lakes. Chris discusses this ground breaking research.

Wednesday 12 February

Please note, this talk was originally due to take place on Wednesday 5 February but was rescheduled due to the weather.

, Lecturer in Natural Environment - Safeguarding species in a warming world     

Ilya will be discussing his research on understanding the effects of climate change on species and habitats, and what we can do to help. Using examples of his work on the Lizard Peninsula, this talk will illustrate the types of effects climate change is having on species. He will also show how better understanding of these effects can be used to guide conservation actions that help species cope with these changes.

Wednesday 26 February

Dr Stephan Harrison, Associate Professor of Quaternary Science - Glaciers in Chilean Patagonia tell a story of climate change

Patagonia is a crucial region to understand the patterns and timing of global climate change in the past and present. Since the early 1990s, Stephan has been working on and around the Patagonian ice fields reconstructing the glacial and climatic history of this area.

Wednesday 19 March

Dr Kirsten Abernethy, Lecturer in Environmental Social Science - Fish decline and food security: are marine protected areas the answer?

Kirsten, a researcher at the ESI, will discuss the complex and controversial issues that arise from community based management of fisheries and her work in Africa and Asia.

Wednesday 26 March

Dr Britt Koskella, Evolutionary Biologist - Why we aren't more resistant to disease and how pathogen evolution is both our friend and our enemy

Britt discusses how we can figure out disease - every organism on earth is plagued by disease so why haven’t they evolved to become resistant?

Wednesday 7 May

Dr Shane Fudge, Lecturer in Energy Policy - Transforming our energy demand towards a more sustainable future

Shane will be discussing how we can improve our own individual energy usage and what affects our change in behaviour. He has been involved in a variety of projects looking the relationship between technology and behavioural practices around household energy use.

Wednesday 14 May

Professor Juliet Osborne, Chair in Applied Ecology – Scientists discover what’s killing the bees

Juliet discusses her research on how insects and plants interact within the environment and their role in the provision of ecosystem services. Juliet works closely with beekeepers and conservation organisations; her work at the ESI includes the study of pollination and pest regulation in crops.

Tickets including the Aquarium entrance fee are £5 for adults, £4 for students, children and seniors, and £3.00 for members. Doors open at 18:30, with the talk starting at 19:00.

For more information about the series or to reserve tickets please contact Falmouth Aquarium on falmouthaquarium@gmail.com or phone 01326 212111.

Date: 24 January 2014