Some of the events at the Winchester Science Festival this coming weekend may be of interest to readers.
This Sunday, we have a talk by Tamsin Edwards:
How can we predict the future of our planet?
Every week the papers report new predictions about future climate change – whether about rising sea levels, more severe heat waves, or better wine making in the UK. Scientists make these predictions using highly complex computer models and measurements of the past. But it’s rare to hear much about how they do this, or the sometimes surprising stories behind the science and technology. What do climate models have in common with car radios? Did you know we use the same algorithms as email spam filters to reject “junk predictions”? Tamsin will lift the curtain on this cutting-edge research area.
On Saturday there is a panel discussion, which I understand will feature Tamsin and Richard Tol.
You are definitely wrong! Certainty & uncertainty in the scientific debate.
Dallas Campbell and friends
From climate change to GM crops, alternative energy to drug use, the world of science is full of controversial topics that divide opinion. TV presenter and science populariser Dallas Campbell will bring together a panel of experts to discuss why we believe what we believe, and why certain areas attract so much controversy.
Lastly, on Sunday afternoon, statistician Norman Fenton, who was featured at BH when he appeared on Horizon recently, is doing a talk too:
Fallacies of probability and risk
From climate change and surgical decisions to motor insurance or forensic evidence, Bayesian reasoning and analysis offers us a remarkable insight into why the world behaves the way it does and how we can prepare ourselves for future events.