A word from...

James Baker, National Graphene Institute

Manchester is a city known for innovation, from being at the fore during the industrial revolution, to the new revolution currently occurring around graphene. The explosion of global interest in graphene is one of the latest remarkable scientific breakthroughs in a city identified as consistently being at the cutting edge of innovation, research and technology. This heritage and continued scientific advancement has earned Manchester the designation of 'European City of Science', a title that we are proud to hold.

With graphene as one of Manchester's flagship projects, we are pleased to feature it in the ESOF programme through the 'Material Dimensions' strand. Not only will there be talks on graphene but also the use of other nano-materials in health and technology, as well as the future of quantum mechanics. Two key sessions from this strand are featured below and further sessions and details of the speakers taking part can be found on the website. At the National Graphene Institute we are also running a number of complementary events during the week including Open Labs and industry workshops.

Graphene and beyond: a revolution in two dimensions, with Kostya Novoselov

On Tuesday 26 July hear from graphene Nobel laureate Sir Kostya Novoselov as he presents how 2D materials research could spark a revolution.

Speaking alongside Professor Frank Koppens, they will discuss how the Graphene Flagship is ensuring that Europe can compete globally in making graphene products a reality. Scientists and industry representatives will then debate the challenges of taking graphene and 2D materials to the market, and what sectors could be transformed by the ground-breaking research taking place all over the world.

More information.

Nanomaterials and medicine, the building blocks toward an enhanced human?

Nanomaterials and their use in regenerative medicine have the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment of debilitating diseases including Parkinson’s, cancer and diabetes. But there are risks that we could be straying into the field of augmented humans: can we balance ethics, law and policy to allow the use of these nano-sciences and technologies? And does society want an advanced human, and if so, how far are we prepared to go?

See Cyril Bussy of the National Graphene Institute debate this with a panel of leading scientists and philosophers on Tuesday 26 July in Charter 4.

More information.

++Stop press, new speakers announced++

We are delighted to announce additional extraordinary speakers to the ESOF line-up. Coming from all around the world, we are pleased to welcome Pulitzer prize winning writer Laurie Garrett, Nobel prize winning Professor Brian Schmidt and Chief Scientist and Director of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Division of Early Warning and Assessment, Professor Jacqueline McGlade. For more information, please visit the website.

Satellite Events

Around the main ESOF conference there are always a number of satellite events, brought to the host city by businesses, institutions and individuals who share the vision of the conference. This year is no exception and there are number of amazing satellite events that delegates of the conference can attend.

Highlights include: 3rd European Conference of Science Journalists, the final of the European Student Parliament and Science Meets Poetry.

More information on the satellite events can be found on the website.

Mini programme

The ESOF mini programme is here. If you're looking for an at-a-glance day-by-day listing of what's on at ESOF, this is what you need.

The mini programme can be downloaded from our website and a printed copy will be provided with your delegate pass when you arrive and register at Manchester Central.

We will shortly be releasing a full version of the conference programme so keep an eye on our website and newsletters for its release.

Download Mini Programme

EuroScience sessions at ESOF

Research Integrity (RI) is a core theme of this year's EuroScience Sessions at ESOF.

There will be two panel discussions, the first will explore RI through three key questions which may have a direct impact on scientists and their research and the second will investigate how current competitive funding mechanisms could be improved.

Additionally, the European Young Researchers Platform will bring together young researchers, grass-root organisations and learned societies interested in young researchers’ issues, to provide a platform to exchange information and discuss policy issues that can further promote and support young researchers in Europe.

More information.

B!rth - Born in Exile. Ticket offer for ESOF delegates

Since 2011, over 70,000 Syrian children have been born in exile in Lebanon alone. What is it like to give birth stateless and in transition and what is the impact on the women and children involved?

B!RTH, as part of ESOF on 25 July, is a festival of work which will explore global health inequality through the lens of childbirth. Join Professor Mukesh Kapila CBE, Professor of Global Health and Humanitarian Affairs, and award-winning Syrian playwright Liwaa Yazji with other panellists to explore the realities, the struggle and the hope of new life and what can be done to prevent a generation being forever lost.

ESOF delegates can take advantage of free tickets by registering here and using the code ESOFALL.