Prof Robert Winston to Deliver Wellington Public Lecture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
21JULY 2011

Professor Robert Winston to Deliver ‘Free’ Public Lecture in Wellington

The well known presenter of television series Child of Our Time and The Human Body will give a FREE public lecture at the Opera House Wellington on 02 August 2011.

The event is part of celebrations marking 100 years of outstanding science in New Zealand, combining the 90th anniversary of the Cawthron Institute in Nelson and the 10th anniversary of the Liggins Institute of The University of Auckland.

Lord Winston, who is Professor of Science and Society and Emeritus Professor of Fertility Studies at Imperial College London, has achieved international prominence as an expert in human fertility.

However, he is probably best known for presenting many BBC television series including Superhuman, The Secret Life of Twins, Child of Our Time, Human Instinct and The Human Body.

He is a strong advocate for better communication between scientists and the public.

His recent appointment as the first Professor of Science and Society at Imperial College, a university with a strong international reputation for science, will focus on the crucial importance of improving communication and public engagement with science.

A medical doctor, IVF pioneer, scientist, television presenter, former MP, and life peer, Professor Winston is also the author of a string of popular science books. His latest, Bad Ideas?, tackles the dark side of technology.

Professor Winston will expand on this theme in his Wellington lecture: Bad Ideas: Will our best technology finish us off?

“Ever since mankind invented the hand axe, humans have produced technologies which have become increasingly powerful,” he says.

“So many scientific discoveries increase our domination over the world yet we are also unable to control our environment. Each scientific advance offers extraordinary and exciting possibilities but there is nearly always an unpredictable dark side to mankind’s inventiveness. The real use of scientific achievements is nearly always unpredictable.

“How do we ensure that the achievements that do increase our wellbeing do not decrease our chance of survival on the planet we increasingly threaten?”

Bookings are not required but people are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

The lecture is the second of two Professor Winston will deliver during his visit to New Zealand to help commemorate a century of science by Cawthron and Liggins Institutes.

He will also be keynote speaker for the 90th annual Thomas Cawthron Memorial Lecture, in Nelson on July 28th. This lecture is already full.

Bad Ideas: Will our best technology finish us off?
The Opera House 111-113 Manners Street Wellington
02 August 2011
Arrive by 5.15pm for 5.30pm start

ENDS

Cawthron Institute website: www.cawthron.org.nz
Liggins Institute website: www.liggins.auckland.ac.nz
Robert Winston website: www.robertwinston.org.uk

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