Climate change and educational neuroscience: the 100th anniversary lecture series so far
The lecture series celebrating the 100th anniversary of Birkbeck joining the University of London began this week, with inspiring talks by Dr Iroise Dumontheil and Sir Ed Davey.
Dr Iroise Dumontheil, Reader in Cognitive Neuroscience at Birkbeck, and Sir Ed Davey, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats and the Member of Parliament for Kingston and Surbiton, recently delivered thought-provoking lectures in Birkbeck’s impressive Clore Management Centre as part of a lecture series marking the 100th anniversary of Birkbeck joining the University of London.
Dr Dumontheil’s lecture, on ‘Using an educational neuroscience approach to improve maths and science achievement in primary school', delved into one of Dr Dumontheil’s studies which had developed a novel stop and think intervention, designed to encourage children to stop and think to inhibit incorrect intuitive responses in maths and science.
Sir Ed Davey, who holds an MSc in Economics from Birkbeck and is a Fellow of the College, spoke on ‘The Climate Emergency: can the UK regain global leadership?’. Sir Davey commented on the challenges we face in addressing climate change in an age of Trump, Putin, trade wars and deforestation, but his speech was broadly hopeful, taking in the UK’s positive track record in tackling climate change and looking to the possibilities offered by new technologies and opportunities to collaborate with countries such as China and India.
Both talks were followed by lively question and answer sessions. In Sir Davey’s talk members of the audience questioned him on issues such as the challenge of engaging world leaders and the impact of population growth. Discussion after Dr Dumontheil’s lecture delved deeper into the ages of the children who took part in the study and if the study could be adapted for different age groups.
Next week, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, barrister, broadcaster and Labour member of the House of Lords, is speaking on ‘The Rule of Law In a Time of Disruption Politics’, and Professor Dame Marina Warner on ‘The Map is not the Territory: Re-imagining Place, Reweaving Story’. Places are limited so book your place now. The theme of the lecture series is “opening education”, showcasing Birkbeck’s unique commitment to access and excellence; and lectures are open for all to attend and are free of charge.