September 2026
Curious minds welcome — science, straight from the people making it happen.
The Cirencester Science and Technology Society (CSTS) brings members face to face with the researchers and specialists behind today’s science. Every second Wednesday, September through June, we host a live lecture — and throughout the year we also arrange visits to leading scientific sites and institutions. Membership costs just £15 pa and is open to anyone interested in science, whatever their background. Our members range from working and retired scientists, doctors, engineers, teachers and students to people who simply want to keep learning — all ages are welcome. This season’s programme opens close to home, with Mark Baggott of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust speaking on the mammoths in the Cotswolds—a reminder that some of the most compelling science is right on our doorstep. From there, the programme ranges across the latest advances from using autonomous systems exploring the Oceans, technology in the NHS, advanced mathematics, quantum computing QUARTET at Harwell, science of magic near Christmas and a winner of the Earth Shot Prize talking on Sustainable packaging and textiles. In February we have Prof. Roger Highfield, Science Director at the Science Museum Group, talking about Professor Stephen Hawking & the exhibits at the Hawking Building, Science and Innovation Park, Wroughton, Swindon
Over 200 CSTS members travel from as far as Stroud, Cheltenham, Malmesbury and Swindon to meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Royal Agricultural University.
Want to see where the science is heading? Then why not join us at www.cirenscience.org.uk/members-area.
http://www.cirenscience.org.uk
Lecture Programme September 2026 – June 2027
7.30pm Sir Emrys Jones Lecture Theatre, Royal Agricultural University
NOTE: October 14th Lecture starts at 6:30pm, in the Boutflour Hall, Royal Agricultural University
September 9th, 2026
Mark Baggott, Trustee & Director Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust. Geological Records Centre. University of Worcester
Topic: Mammoths in the Cotswolds
October 14th, 2026
Prof. David O’Connor presenting his inaugural lecture 6:30pm in the Boutflour Hall,
Topic Ukrainian farmland: Long-term contamination by heavy metals from Russian bombs could have devastating impact on human health long after the war has ended
November 11th, 2026
Dr Peter Howlett BSc, MBA, PhD, CEng, FIET
Topic Technological Progress in the NHS and the Price of Success
December 9th, 2026
Gustav Kuhn. Director of MAGIC-LAB and Associate Professor, School of Psychology, University of Plymouth
Topic: Psychology and Magic
NOTE DATE CHANGE: Wed January 27th, 2027
**Combined lecture with Cirencester Archaeological and Historical Society. CSTS/RAU
Topic: What is geoarchaeology?
Talk to be given by an Experienced Commercial Geoarchaeologist
on the scientific background to geoarchaeology and how it can be used to reconstruct past environments and provide a better understanding of an archaeological landscape.
February 10th, 2027
Prof. Roger Highfield, Science Director at the Science Museum Group
Topic: Professor Stephen Hawking & the exhibits at the Hawking Building, Science and Innovation Park, Science Museum Group, Wroughton, Swindon
March 10th, 2027
**Combined lecture with Royal Society of Chemistry. CSTS host.
Prof Howard Colquhoun MA, ScD (Cambridge); PhD (London); FRSC Emeritus Professor of Materials Chemistry University of Reading
Topic: How an infinitely repeating pattern discovered in a plastic molecule relates to obscure 19th century math – and Romanesco broccoli.
April 14th, 2027
TBC: Michael Cuthbert. Director of the National Quantum Computing Centre, Harwell, OXON.
Topic: Quantum Computing: Specifically, QUARTET at Harwell
May 12th, 2027
James Burris Head of Training and Trials Autonomous Systems. NOC. Southampton
Research Scientist at National Oceanography Centre, Marine Physics & Ocean Climate Research Group
Topic: Work at NOC with using autonomy to explore the ocean in a changing climate
June 9th, 2027
Dr Louise Anderson, Chief Technical Officer, AMPHICO, Sustainable Materials Innovation.
Lousie was at NOPLA when they won Prince William’s Earth Shot Prize
Topic: Science behind Sustainable Packaging and Textiles
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