Online subject tasters: Science

Why do you find yourself distracted from tasks you set yourself or that you need to complete? 

Join Dr Alon Zivony from the School of Psychology to learn about the cognitive psychology of attention in everyday life, and the underlying causes of distraction. 

Can we apply scientific principles to our learning and work? 

Come along and find out.

Schedule

• 5.00pm - 5.20pm - Welcome and introductions to the University
• 5.20pm - 5.50pm - Mini lecture
• 5.50pm - 6.20pm - Q&A
• 6.20pm - 6.25pm - Closing remarks

Knot theory is a thriving branch of mathematics, which has a growing relevance to biology and theoretical physics. It studies the properties and relationships of closed curves in three-dimensional space, called mathematical knots. 

Join Dr James Cranch from the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, to learn about knot theory and start to explore basic problems in this exciting field of study.

Schedule

• 5.00pm - 5.20pm - Welcome and introductions to the University
• 5.20pm - 5.50pm - Mini lecture
• 5.50pm - 6.20pm - Q&A
• 6.20pm - 6.25pm - Closing remarks

In this engaging session, you'll learn about how particle physicists are trying to uncover the fundamental forces and particles of nature, using the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva. 

Join Dr Kristin Lohwasser from the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, to learn how particle physics research provides insight into the fundamental structure of matter and receive a virtual tour around the ATLAS detector, which was partly built in Sheffield.

Schedule

• 5.00pm - 5.20pm - Welcome and introductions to the University
• 5.20pm - 5.50pm - Mini lecture
• 5.50pm - 6.20pm - Q&A
• 6.20pm - 6.25pm - Closing remarks

How do we go from studying cancer cells in a lab to developing life-saving treatments? 

Join Dr Elena Rainero from the School of Biosciences who's doing just that through her research. We’ll explore how having a deeper understanding of cancer biology has directly led to powerful new anti-cancer drugs. 

You'll discover the key features that make cancer cells different from normal cells, and how these differences can be exploited by targeted therapies. 

With real-world examples and evidence from clinical practice, this session shines a light on the science behind the medicines that are changing lives.

Schedule

• 5.00pm - 5.20pm - Welcome and introductions to the University
• 5.20pm - 5.50pm - Mini lecture
• 5.50pm - 6.20pm - Q&A
• 6.20pm - 6.25pm - Closing remarks

Redox (reduction-oxidation) describes the flow of electrons in chemical reactions. It's essential for life, powering processes like making energy, building molecules, and detoxifying cell. 

Join Professor Rob Short from the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, to discover how molecules inside our cells can be both essential messengers and harmful in excess. 

In this engaging session, you'll also explore a cutting edge therapy being developed by Sheffield's chemists, which uses redox chemistry to selectively destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue unharmed.

Schedule

• 5.00pm - 5.20pm - Welcome and introductions to the University
• 5.20pm - 5.50pm - Mini lecture
• 5.50pm - 6.20pm - Q&A
• 6.20pm - 6.25pm - Closing remarks