Join us for a fascinating and enlightening evening, as you listen to one of our many Brightalk presentations, in the cosy confines of The Nightingale Room. All are welcome - novices, hobbyists & experts alike - and we always end our evenings with an inclusive audience Q&A.
‘The Science of Weird Sh*t!’ - Prof. Chris French
![THE LANGUAGE PUZZLE: How We Talked Our Way Out Of The Stone Age](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1733739732128-H4H4XH9RPWB91VLZR64O/steven+mithen.jpg)
THE LANGUAGE PUZZLE: How We Talked Our Way Out Of The Stone Age
Drawing on the latest discoveries in archaeology, linguistics, psychology, and genetics, Prof. Steven Mithen reconstructs the steps by which language evolved, and he explains how it transformed the nature of thought and culture.
![HUMANISE: How Knowing Ourselves Could Change The World](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1739215185375-80FP3JG2Y4YOTERDNKVH/richard_docwra.jpg)
HUMANISE: How Knowing Ourselves Could Change The World
Join Richard Docwra as he attempts to reveal the truth about how human beings think and behave and shows how this knowledge could help us address some of our biggest challenges, from violence to climate change, and build a better future.
![CHEMICALLY IMBALANCED: The Making and Unmaking of the Serotonin Myth](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1736885867620-QWLLE7BY5SDTPP1ZRXWW/joanna_moncrieff.jpg)
CHEMICALLY IMBALANCED: The Making and Unmaking of the Serotonin Myth
For years, we’ve been led to believe that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and antidepressants are the solution. But what if this widely accepted belief has been built on unreliable truths? Join renowned psychiatrist, Joanna Moncrieff, as she takes us on a thought-provoking journey through the history of the serotonin theory of depression.
![HOT MESS: What On Earth Can We Do About Climate Change?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1734626973076-Z1Y0ZOLKRYTHJNY9JK3T/matt_winning.jpg)
HOT MESS: What On Earth Can We Do About Climate Change?
Join Comedian and environmental expert, Matt Winning, as he guides us through the main causes of climate change, what changes are needed, and what YOU can (and cannot) do about it - hopefully with a few laughs along the way!
![QUANTUM MIND: How Quantum Physics Could Help Decode Human Behaviour](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1731696941386-YIGA961SKS00KILFQQ7W/dorje+brody.jpg)
QUANTUM MIND: How Quantum Physics Could Help Decode Human Behaviour
Join Prof. Dorje Brody as he journeys into the uncharted territories, where physics meets psychology, and discover how the quantum mind could unlock new dimensions in our understanding of human nature.
![ANCIENT RITUALS & MAGIC TRICKS: The Origins Of Occult Illusion](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1729697176448-QEUVCZQEA7O5UO9ICSB5/dave_alnwick.jpg)
ANCIENT RITUALS & MAGIC TRICKS: The Origins Of Occult Illusion
Join occult Illusionist, David Alnwick, as he explores the connection between ancient sorcery and modern magicians.
![THE NEW NORMAL: Is Autism A Disorder?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1729161587603-9WPZM1YF1HYREW8VQ9CB/david_gray-hammond.jpg)
THE NEW NORMAL: Is Autism A Disorder?
Join David Gray-Hammond, autistic author and neurodiversity specialist, as he explores the ideas behind the neurodiversity movement, which drove through huge changes in identification, fighting stigma and redefining autism as an identity rather than a disease.
![THOMAS PAINE’S BONES: A Graphic Tale of the Cancelled Enlightenment Hero](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1728655299373-B015V3QM9365JS8T9LUO/paul_fitzgerald.jpg)
THOMAS PAINE’S BONES: A Graphic Tale of the Cancelled Enlightenment Hero
Join Polyp (aka Paul Fitzgerald), skeptic, freethinker, cartoonist and graphic novelist, as he explores the dramatic life story of a democratic hero who's been erased from popular history.
![INSPIRATIONAL INSECTS: Why Flies Might Be The Answer To Everything](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1728655761455-7HX8UYB42E538TCE8KG2/erica_mcalister.jpg)
INSPIRATIONAL INSECTS: Why Flies Might Be The Answer To Everything
Join Erica McAlister as she takes us on a journey to dispel the negative perception we have of these incredible insects and highlights their amazing lives, and why we should be grateful that our planet is dominated by these wondrous creatures.
![THE UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF US: A 13.8 Billion Year Tale from the Big Bang to You](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1720261482452-SZD94I68Y62WI29EZWQU/tim_coulson.jpg)
THE UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF US: A 13.8 Billion Year Tale from the Big Bang to You
Join Tim Coulson, Professor of zoology & biology at Oxford University, as he presents a complete, uncomplicated guide to the science of life, the universe and everything.
![EVERYTHING IS PREDICTABLE: How Bayes' Remarkable Theorem Explains the World](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1716492870652-LPKK4HAZ6E47BD2P3UUJ/tom+chivers.jpg)
EVERYTHING IS PREDICTABLE: How Bayes' Remarkable Theorem Explains the World
Tom Chivers shows us how the single compelling idea of Bayes' theorem is not just a useful tool, but a description of almost everything, that has far-reaching consequences, and an impact on modern life.
![FAITH to FAITHLESS: From Jehovah’s Witness to Humanist](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1716894847221-CN6J309EUMGBEAYP77PB/terri+osullivan.jpg)
FAITH to FAITHLESS: From Jehovah’s Witness to Humanist
Join Terri O'Sullivan as she shares her deeply personal journey from Jehovah's Witness to Humanist, and talks about the issues and difficulties so-called 'apostates' face when leaving a controlling religious group in the UK
![EYES ON MARS: The Search for Life on the Red Planet](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1716891754105-6TCI7CGNU3KX2PUNT0S5/catherine+regan.jpg)
EYES ON MARS: The Search for Life on the Red Planet
There’s always been an appetite for stories about Life on Mars. Ever since the mid 1800s, when it became apparent that our own moon was lifeless, all eyes turned to the Red Planet.
![AM I NORMAL? The 200 Year Search For Normal People](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1715071989626-S9G2QMHOHQ1CNN7GCLJ6/sarah_chaney.jpg)
AM I NORMAL? The 200 Year Search For Normal People
The riveting history of the strange science of the 'Normal', and the origins of an anxiety-ridden modern obsession.
![BLUE SPACES: How and Why Water Can Make You Feel Better](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1711988414324-44OAM7RL8Q6985ODRR96/catherine+kelly_01.jpg)
BLUE SPACES: How and Why Water Can Make You Feel Better
Join Dr. Catherine Kelly, geographer and cold-water swimming enthusiast, as she explores the latest research into the physical, psychological and social factors that connect water and wellbeing and explains why water makes us feel better.
![THE QUEST FOR COSMIC DAWN: First Results from the James Webb Space Telescope](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1715849322786-JD4JZN4P99FOTVVPI8XZ/richard+ellis_03.jpg)
THE QUEST FOR COSMIC DAWN: First Results from the James Webb Space Telescope
Join Professor of Astrophysics Richard Ellis as he guides us through the origins of starlight, where the chemical evolution began, which ultimately led to our own existence in this remarkable universe.
![MYTHBUSTING: Charles Darwin's ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1709305482129-V0NJJJWXFZ4XJCPNMVOQ/joe+cain_02.jpg)
MYTHBUSTING: Charles Darwin's ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES
Charles Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of Species’ is considered by many to be one of the most important scientific texts ever written, but how many amongst us have actually sat down and read it? And if you believe it’s all just about evolution, you’re in for a surprise!
![BLUE MACHINE: How The Ocean Shapes Our World](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1710589650635-UJYA5CKOSG4WIGEO7LQI/helen+czerski.jpg)
BLUE MACHINE: How The Ocean Shapes Our World
Earth is home to a huge story that is rarely told - that of our ocean. Not the fish or the dolphins, but the massive ocean engine itself: what it does, why it works, and the many ways it has influenced animals, weather and human history & culture.
Join Helen Czerski as she dives deep to illuminate the murky depths of the ocean engine, examining the messengers, passengers and voyagers that live in it, travel over it, and survive because of it.
![MUCH ADO ABOUT NUMBERS: Shakespeare's Mathematical Life & Times](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1709287859781-UZF8J3MU75UGBKFJCWKV/rob_eastaway.jpg)
MUCH ADO ABOUT NUMBERS: Shakespeare's Mathematical Life & Times
What's the connection between Shakespeare and maths? A lot, as it turns out! Shakespeare grew up in a time of remarkable mathematical innovation. Join Rob Eastaway as he takes us from astronomy to probability, music to multiplication, and shows how the new mathematical ideas of the time were reflected in much of the great bard’s work.
![PHARMANOMICS: How Big Pharma Destroys Global Health](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1709287610107-3QA87UCXOEALFTAKZWL8/nick+dearden.jpg)
PHARMANOMICS: How Big Pharma Destroys Global Health
Join Nick Dearden as he shows how ‘Big Pharma’ has reshaped the relationship between richer and poorer countries, as the access to new medicines and the permission to manufacture them is policed - and he offers us a pathway to a fairer, safer system for all, with justice at its core.
![THE BEAUTY OF FALLING: A Life In Pursuit of Gravity](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1711535645790-JDE4JSFPM1331PDCAWJN/claudia+de+rham.jpg)
THE BEAUTY OF FALLING: A Life In Pursuit of Gravity
Join us for an evening of captivating stories about Claudia de Rham’s quest to gain intimacy with gravity, to understand both its feeling and fundamental nature. Her life’s pursuit led her from a twist of fate that snatched away her dream of becoming an astronaut to an exhilarating breakthrough at the very frontiers of gravitational physics.
![POTENTIAL TROUBLE SOURCE: From Devout Scientologist to Enemy Activist](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1709287471297-ANCK7M2EVEU9DSSVA7EN/alex+barnes-ross_02.jpg)
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SOURCE: From Devout Scientologist to Enemy Activist
Join Alexander Barnes-Ross on his journey from critical thinker to devout Scientologist and finally Scientology’s #1 UK enemy.
![SOUND BITES & SONIC SEASONING: A Journey Through Gastrophysics](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1707165421833-WTWMS8HW17PO7MVUBX2V/charles+spence_02.jpg)
SOUND BITES & SONIC SEASONING: A Journey Through Gastrophysics
Join us for a fascinating evening with experimental psychologist, Professor Charles Spence, as he takes us on a synaesthetic journey into the world of Gastrophysics.
![THE OTHER PANDEMIC: how qanon contaminated the world](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/656f31fc205db90cb6d88fc9/1732790707812-NGQHDV24VAM4T7DLFMGJ/james_ball.jpg)
THE OTHER PANDEMIC: how qanon contaminated the world
Join Pulitzer Prize winner James Ball in this gripping investigation that decodes the cryptic language of the online right and tracks the spread of QAnon, the world's first digital pandemic.
ACCESSIBILITY
Brighthink is a non-profit organisation and as such, we are offered venue use without charge. This does unfortunately mean that a lot of the spaces we have access to are private function rooms, upstairs or downstairs at venues, without wheelchair access. We are currently looking into larger premises that may be able to offer more inclusive access arrangements. Thank you for your understanding.