Chair of Scientific Culture of the University of the Basque Country

Naukas Bilbao 2015
2015-09-11 10:00 - 20:30 (Europe/Madrid) | Bizkaia Aretoa – UPV/EHU (Sala Mitxelena), Abandoibarra, 3, Bilbao
Xehetasunak

Data eta ordua:

Egoitza

Naukas 2015 will be held in Bilbao on 11 and 12 September. The fifth year of this science outreach event, one of the most important in Spain, will be held in the Mitxelena Room at the Bizkaia Aretoa of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) (Avenida Abandoibarra, 3).

More than 60 short lectures will combine rigour and humour in order to generate public interest in the most diverse scientific disciplines. Furthermore, there will be interviews with different personalities, humorous monologues, live experiments and a children’s programme of activities.

Free entry subject to available seating. This event is organised by the dissemination platform Naukas and the Chair of Scientific Culture of the UPV/EHU.

The full programme may be found here.

Summer courses: The demons of science
2015-07-08 09:00 - 14:00 | Palacio Miramar, Paseo Miraconcha, 48, Donostia
Xehetasunak

Data eta ordua:

Egoitza

A special focus is made on the importance of the so-called scientific method in scientific papers for the general public and students of different levels, as well as the great achievements of scientific endeavours throughout history. However, despite its undeniable success as an intellectual endeavour and as a developmental factor, science is not lacking in criticism and problems, and, for certain social sectors, it isn’t even considered as trustworthy.

Some of the attitudes that question science in a more or less explicit way partially respond to science’s own weaknesses or its dubiously rigorous behaviours or the poor ethics exercised by members of the scientific community. What’s the base for pseudo-science? How do scientists’ attitudes contribute to their existence? Why doesn’t the scientific system treat men and women of their community equally? What ethical criteria should they follow when setting limits to scientific activity? What does scientific fraud respond to? Is it efficiently fought by the community?

These are the questions that we seek to address in our UPV/EHU summer course “The demons of science. Educating with (con)science”. We will attempt to provide scientific criteria to improve the ethical aspect of scientific practice, because we believe in the importance of accommodating critical aspects, as the ones addressed in this course, for scientific dissemination and teaching.

The summer course will take place at the Palacio Miramar in San Sebastián from 8 to 10 July.

You may find further information regarding the courses here.

Programme:

8 July

09:00 h Registration and documentation delivery

09:15 h Opening session: Fernando P. Cossío Mora (Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science and the School of Chemistry, UPV/EHU).

10:15 h “Science, conscience and pain” Pilar Goya Laza (Medical Chemistry Institute, CSIC).

11:15 h Break

11:45 h “Invisible colleagues” Carolina Martínez Pulido (La Laguna University).

12:45 h Round Table: “Women make science: Discrimination or thoughtlessness?” with Fernando P. Cossío Mora, Pilar Goya Laza and Carolina Martínez Pulido.

9 July

09:15 h “(Pseudo)scientific myths in nutrition and health” José Miguel Mulet Salort (Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology; Technical University of Valencia).

10:15 h “Psychological basis for magic and superstitions” Helena Matute Greño (Deusto University).

11:15 h Break

11:45 h “Bad practice in science” Joaquín Sevilla (Public University of Navarre).

12:45 h Round Table “Pseudo-science and poor science” José Miguel Mulet Salort, Helena Matute Greño and Joaquín Sevilla .

10 July

09:15 h “Do ends justify the means in scientific research?” Mabel Marijuan Angulo (School of Medicine and Dentistry; UPV/EHU).

10:15 h “The mathematics of inequality” Eva Ferreira García (School of Economics and Business, UPV/EHU).

11:15 h Break

11:45 h “The ethos of science: values and virtues” Juan Ignacio Pérez Iglesias (Chair of Scientific Culture and School of Science and Technology UPV/EHU).

12:45 h Round Table “Science and conscience” Mabel Marijuan Angulo, Eva Ferreira García and Juan Ignacio Pérez Iglesias.

Earthquake in Nepal: a sudden and constantly evolving devastation
2015-06-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Azkuna Zentroa Mediateka (Level 2), Plaza Arriquibar, 4, Bilbao
Xehetasunak

Data eta ordua:

Egoitza

In Nepal on 25 April and 12 May this year, the earth abruptly shook. Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.9 and 7.3 on the Richter scale destroyed the country. Earthquakes are devastating forces for humans, yet constructive forces for the earth: they created the Himalayas and are responsible for the separation of the continents. Every time a disaster like the one in Nepal occurs, the same doubts emerge in society: Can earthquakes in some way be prevented? Why do they occur? What is the source of their destructive capability? Which countries have the greatest seismic risk? What is the probability that there will be a large earthquake in our location?

Arturo Apraiz, Professor of Geodynamics at the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU will answer these questions in a talk entitled “Earthquake in Nepal: a sudden and constantly evolving devastation”. The event will take place on 23 June in Azkuna Zentroa.

Zientziateka is a monthly initiative organised by the Chair of Scientific Culture of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Azkuna Zentroa to raise awareness of current scientific matters. The talk will be in Basque.

Tickets should be collected from the Azkuna Zentroa Information Point. Entry is free.

In search of the perfect stem cell
2015-06-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Auditorio de Azkuna Zentroa (planta -1), Plaza Arriquíbar, 4, Bilbao
Xehetasunak

Data eta ordua:

Egoitza

Thirty years ago, the idea of generating a heart cell or a neuron from a skin cell seemed like science fiction. However, thanks to the dizzying evolution of regenerative medicine, it is now reality. Nowadays we know that pluripotent stem cells have extraordinary potential to generate any kind of cell we wish: cells of the heart, pancreas or neurons, among others, but how do we use these cells to treat illness? Are we close to or far away from curing diseases through their use?

Cristina Eguizabal, researcher in charge of the Cell Therapy and Stem Cell Unit of the Basque Centre for Blood Transfusion and Human Tissues at Osakidetza, will answer these questions in a talk entitled ‘In search of the perfect stem cell’. This conference will be held on 10 June at 7 pm at Azkuna Zentroa.

Zientziateka is a monthly initiative organised by the Chair of Scientific Culture of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Azkuna Zentroa to raise awareness of current scientific matters.

Tickets should be collected from the Azkuna Zentroa Information Point. Free entry will be subject to available seating. The talk will be in Spanish.

Are machines capable of seeing? From scientific evidence to practical application
2015-05-26 19:00 - 19:30 | Azkuna Zentroko Mediateka aretoa (2. solairua), Azkuna Zentroko Mediateka aretoa (2. solairua)
Xehetasunak

Data eta ordua:

Egoitza

Scientific and technological research giving vision to machines began in the 1970s. Fifty years is not a very long time but huge advances have been made. In this talk, the scientific and technological basis used by machines in order to see will be explained. Using practical cases, currently feasible applications will be demonstrated. To do this, the Basque company Ikusmen will present the equipment it has developed for industrial applications.

The Rector of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Iñaki Goirizelaia and the technical manager of the company Ikusmen Gaizka Abaroa will give a talk entitled ‘Are machines capable of seeing? From scientific evidence to practical application’. This conference will be held on 26 May at Azkuna Zentroa.

Zientziateka is a monthly initiative organised by the Chair of Scientific Culture of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Azkuna Zentroa to raise awareness of current scientific matters.

Tickets should be collected from the Azkuna Zentroa Information Point. Entry is free.

The talk will be in Basque.

Mathematical formulas and numbers: from 'A Beautiful Mind' to San Mamés
2015-05-19 19:00 - 20:30 | Auditorio de Azkuna Zentroa (planta -1), Plaza Arriquíbar, 4, Bilbao
Xehetasunak

Data eta ordua:

Egoitza

Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton tried to measure as accurately as possible how the stones fell off the Tower of Pisa, and how apples fell from trees, even though neither of them actually had any interest in stones and apples. They did this because they were interested in the data that they could garner from those stones and apples to help them test physical theories. In the same way, the data that can be obtained from a football field is very useful for economic research. Economists are gradually using more and more theories of human behaviour like those of John F. Nash (whose life inspired the film ‘A Beautiful Mind’) or the theories of efficient markets in financial economy, discrimination at work and the behaviour of the human brain.

Ignacio Palacios-Huerta, Professor of Economy at the London School of Economics, and researcherof the Ikerbasque Foundation at the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, will explain these theories at a talk, followed by a discussion, called ‘Mathematical formulas and numbers: from “A Beautiful Mind” to San Mamés’. This conference will take place on 19 May at 7 pm at Azkuna Zentroa.

Zientziateka is a monthly initiative organised by the Chair of Scientific Culture of the UPV/EHU and Azkuna Zentroa to raise awareness of current scientific matters.

Tickets should be collected from the Azkuna Zentroa Information Point. Free entry will be subject to available seating. The talk will be in Spanish.

Science+
2015-05-07 14:30 - 20:00 | Bizkaia Aretoa-EHU, Abandoibarra Etorbidea, 3, Bilbo
Xehetasunak

Data eta ordua:

Egoitza

On 7, 8 and 9 May, Science+ will be held in Bilbao.

Science+ is a meeting which will deal with the different professional alternatives that exist in the field of science, especially within the European context. The programme consists of plenary lectures of general interest, discussion sessions between participants and speakers, and lectures focussing on the main areas. The presentations and panel discussions will be conducted by people with broad experience in scientific research, journalism and publishing, R&D companies, dissemination and funding in R&D.

At Science+ the participants will be able to find out about their professional options, learn from personal experiences, find relevant scientific associations to join, find out which R&D research programmes will be supportive, as well as discuss the future challenges for European science.

The event will be held in Spanish, with some lectures in English. All information relating to the event is available at scienceplus.es. To attend you should register with the nominal charge for registration (5 €).

The meeting will be organised into the following areas:

· A scientific career in academia

· Professional alternatives in science

· Scientific associations

· The challenges of science in Europe

· Research programmes and networks in Spain and Europe

· Bridges between science and politics

· Science popularisation

Science+ is an initiative of the associations of Spanish Scientists in the Federal Republic of Germany (CERFA) and Spanish Scientists in the United Kingdom (CERU), which has support from the Chair of Scientific Culture of our university.

Bioexperiencias II
2015-04-30 18:30 - 20:00 | Bizkaia Aretoa de la UPV/EHU, sala Arriaga, Avenida Abandoibarra, 3, Bilbao
Xehetasunak

Data eta ordua:

Egoitza

Bioexperiencias II

On 30 April, we will hold the second conference on Bioexperiences at the Bilbao Bizkaia Aretoa. The goal of these conferences is to present biology as science and a profession for students who are interested in it as a career and the general public. It also serves as a forum where professionals from different areas of biology can exchange their experiences.

The Bioexperiencias sessions are an initiative of the Official Association of Biologists of the Basque Country, in collaboration with the Chair of Scientific Culture of the University of the Basque Country.

All the sessions will take place at the Arriaga Hall of the UPV/EHU Main Auditorium. Free entry will be subject to available seating. The speeches will be presented in Spanish, and will be followed by a questions and answers session.

The conference programme is the following:

18.30: “Water management within the WFD 2000”. Iñaki Urrizalki, environmental consultant and former General Manager of the Basque Water Agency.

19:00: “Use of by-products in the formulation of specific diets for tilapia in recirculating aquaponic systems (RAS)”. Beatriz Díaz, Research Technician at BREEN S.L

19:20: “From classic genetics to individualised genomics”. Marian Martínez de Pancorbo, Professor of Cell Biology from the Department of Zoology and Animal Cell Biology of the University of the Basque Country EHU/UPV.

For more information, click here.

Human Evolution: what we don't know and what we think we know
2015-04-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Azkuna Zentroko Mediateka aretoa (2. solairua), Azkuna Zentroko Mediateka aretoa (2. solairua)
Xehetasunak

Data eta ordua:

Egoitza

We are the only species of hominins that exist today. However, the situation was very different in the past, as more than one species coincided in time. We think that we know some things about the genealogical tree of the species that make up our linage, but there are still some questions to be addressed: Which species was the ancestor of the Homo genus? How many species make up the genus? When did the main attributes of the Homo sapiens, such as bipedalism or brain growth appear? Addressing these questions, among others, is one of the major challenges faced by anthropology over the forthcoming years.

Carmen Manzano, Professor of Anthropology at the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, will address these issues in a talk entitled ‘Human Evolution: what we don’t know and what we think we know’. This event will be held on 24th April at 7pm at Azkuna Zentroa. Zientziateka is a monthly initiative organised by the Chair of Scientific Culture of the UPV/EHU and Azkuna Zentroa to raise awareness of current scientific matters.

Entry is free. Tickets should be collected from the Azkuna Zentroa Information Point.

The talk will be in Basque.

The Anthropocene: Are we in a new geological time?
2015-04-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Auditorio de Azkuna Zentroa (planta -1), Plaza Arriquíbar, 4, Bilbao
Xehetasunak

Data eta ordua:

Egoitza

Has human activity had such an impact on the Earth that it can be considered to have led to the dawn of a new geological period? In recent years, the term Anthropocene has been proposed to call this new period in the history of our planet and its inclusion in the geological time scale is being studied. There are three proposals to determine when it began: the Neolithic revolution thousands of years ago; the industrial revolution in the 18th century and finally, the scientific-economic development and the nuclear escalation that took place in the middle of the 20th century.

Alejandro Cearreta, Professor of Stratigraphy and Palaeontology at the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, will explain the details of this period in the earth’s history in a talk entitled ‘The Anthropocene: Are we in a new geological time? This conference will take place on 14 April at 7 pm at Azkuna Zentroa and it will be in Spanish.

Zientziateka is a monthly initiative organised by the Chair of Scientific Culture of the UPV/EHU and Azkuna Zentroa to raise awareness of current scientific matters.

Tickets should be collected from the Azkuna Zentroa Information Point. Free entry will be subject to available seating.
