Theoretical physicist Claudia de Rham will be taking visitors on a journey through the cosmos
The public are invited to meet the Imperial people and ideas changing our world at the Great Exhibition Road Festival next weekend.
The Great Exhibition Road Festival (18 to 19 June 2022) features a free programme of live and interactive events, including some of the College’s most inspirational figures and innovative minds.
From Martian scientists, to COVID heroes, here are just some of the trailblazing thinkers and doers who you can hear live and in person during the festival weekend. (And register now for the chance to hear them!)
Trailblazers of today...
Helen Sharman
Who? Helen Sharman became the first British astronaut in 1991 when she travelled to the Mir space station and undertook scientific research. Today, she is UK Outreach Ambassador at Imperial.
Where can I see her? Protecting our poles: The fight to preserve Antarctica and the Arctic. Sun 19 June, 13.00-14.00, Ondaatje Lecture Theatre, Royal Geographical Society
What’s she doing? Helen hosts a panel of polar experts and security specialists to discuss how a whole-planet perspective is needed to preserve the landmark Antarctic Treaty.
Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham
Who? Ara is Co-Director of the IGHI, and Professor of Surgery at Imperial. He is a leading voice in the field of global health policy and innovation.
Where can I see him? The future of surgery. Sat 18 June, 13.00-14.00, Ondaatje Lecture Theatre, Royal Geographical Society
What’s he doing? Lord Darzi joins members of Imperial's Hamlyn Centre for Robotic Surgery to explore how the field of surgery has evolved over the past three centuries. This live interactive session will include demonstrations of new medical imaging techniques, sensor technology, surgical robots and augmented reality.
Professor Claudia de Rham
Who? Claudia is Professor of Theoretical Physics who explores some of the most enticing mysteries of the universe, from dark energy to quantum physics.
Where can I see her? All the Colours of the Universe. Sun 19 June, 13.00-13.30, 15.10-15.40, 17.20-17.50, Family stage, Princes Gardens
What’s she doing? Professor de Rham joins up with storyteller Helen Tozer to take visitors on a journey through the cosmos. Discover how scientists can use rainbows and gravitational waves to see and hear the universe in this magical storytelling session.
Professor Peter Openshaw
Who? Peter is Professor of Experimental Medicine at Imperial who explores how the immune system both protects against viral infection but also causes disease. He has become a leading voice of expertise during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where can I see him? Why we infected healthy people with COVID-19. Sun 19 June, 14.30-15.30, G16 SAF, Imperial College London
What’s he doing? During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers from Imperial infected 36 healthy people with COVID-19. Join Professor Openshaw and his team to find out why this study took place, how they made it safe, and what they learnt.
Professor Azeem Majeed
Who? Azeem is Professor of Primary Care and Public Health and a south London GP. He has become a leading voice on rates of infection, serious illness and death in minority ethnic groups during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.
Where can I see him? COVID in the Community. Sun 19 June, 16.00 - 17.00, G16, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London
What’s he doing? Professor Majeed will reflect on his own observations of health access inequality linked to race and poverty and faith, and what lessons can be taken from COVID to improve health services for all.
....and tomorrow
Yasmin Baker
Who? Yasmin is a second year medical student who has been volunteering her services since the start of the vaccination programme.
Where can I see her? COVID in the Community. Sun 19 June, 16.00 - 17.00, G16, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London
What’s she doing? Yasmin will join Professor Azeem Majeed in a talk about the health access inequality linked to race and poverty and faith, and what lessons can be taken from COVID to improve health services for all. Together they will explore approaches to building stronger relationships between the NHS and every part of the communities it serves.
Sara Motaghian
Who? Sara is a PhD researcher exploring Martian planetary science and space missions
Where can I see them? Roving with Rosalind. Sat 18 + Sun 19 June, 12.00-18.00, Exhibition Road
What are they doing? Imperial PhD researcher Sara Motaghian joins Natural History Museum scientists working on Martian exploration to give visitors the chance to steer a rover around a Martian-like landscape.
Dr Rahma Elmahdi
Who? Rahma is a clinical academic who joined Imperial as a medical student and is now a Senior Teaching Fellow in Global Health.
Where can I see her? Elevating women in medicine. Sun 19 June, 13.00-14.00, G16, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London
What’s she doing? Dr Elmahdi will appear in a live recording of the Elevat(Her) Podcast for a special celebration of the modern woman of medicine.
Science and art in harmony
The Great Exhibition Road Festival launched in 2019 as an annual celebration of curiosity and discovery, combining the imagination and world-leading expertise of iconic culture and research organisations in and around South Kensington.
During the Festival weekend, visitors of all ages are invited to enjoy hands-on workshops, fascinating talks, performances and installations from iconic museums, research and culture organisations, including Imperial College London, the Natural History Museum, Royal College of Music, Science Museum, V&A, and many more.
Book your free events now!
The Great Exhibition Road Festival returns from 18-19 June 2022 in venues around South Kensington.
Admission to the festival and all of its events is free, but free advance tickets will be available for some events. Register now for the chance to hear the latest updates and to book tickets for popular events.
---
Photography
- Dave Guttridge (Lord Darzi, Professor Majeed)
- Thomas Angus (Professor de Rham, Professor Openshaw, Ms Yasmin Baker)
Article text (excluding photos or graphics) © Imperial College London.
Photos and graphics subject to third party copyright used with permission or © Imperial College London.
Reporter
Andrew Youngson
Communications Division
Leave a comment
Your comment may be published, displaying your name as you provide it, unless you request otherwise. Your contact details will never be published.