Reading Geek Night – Tuesday 12th November 2019 ** NEW VENUE**

We are excited to announce Reading Geek Night will be moving to The Curious Lounge 🙂

From November our new monthly meetup address will be: The Curious Lounge, First Floor Pinnacle, 20 Tudor Road, Reading RG1 1NH (once through the revolving doors give the security guard a nod and mention Curious Lounge then take the lift upstairs).

This month will be a slightly different format with a longer talk covering a subject area which needs to be talked about more – Movember and Men’s Health.

Pepper the AI robot will be in attendance to help with any questions and to enhance its one-liner expert system 🙂

Theme: Movember – Men’s Health

• 7:00pm Arrivals
• 7:30pm Welcome and Introductions
• 7:35pm Prostate Cancer – Why should I bother? (Dr Steve Allen)
• 8:25pm Short announcements/updates*
• 8:30pm Networking & beers
• 8:55pm End

Backgrounder:

Prostate Cancer – Why should I bother? (Dr Steve Allen)

Steve has always had a passion for increasing awareness about prostate cancer since going through the journey himself eleven years ago. Recent advances in diagnosis and treatment are radically changing the face of prostate cancer and Steve spends a lot of time keeping up to date with those changes. He has talked to many groups of people before as a volunteer for Prostate Cancer UK.

At many meetings some of people who attended were far from being in the at risk age group. However, he firmly believes that such talks are of value – the men (and women) who attend will all have male relatives to whom they can relay information. Such meetings are never a waste of time.

Steve has also contributed in a small way with the Reading Lions Club who are heavily involved with organising Prostate Cancer Screening evenings, where men are invited to turn up for a PSA test. To date five have been organised involving the testing of 4,000 men over 5 years. This has literally saved lives in men who had no idea prior to being tested that they had prostate cancer. Just a couple of months ago we had nearly 2300 men turn up to be tested.

Steve is a retired Consultant Anaesthetist who worked at the Royal Berks Hospital for 30 years and spent a great deal of his time working with the Urology Dept as one of their main anaesthetists and thus gained a fair bit of collateral knowledge at many levels with respect to prostate health. Steve has also Chaired the Reading Prostate Cancer Support Group. Over the past 8 years the group has doubled its membership to over 100 – which highlights just how important prostate cancer is to the community. Steve is still a very active member of Reading PCSG.

Usual format is to gather from 7:00pm and commence the talks at 7:30pm. Talks are ~20mins + Q&A with a break of 15mins for networking and beer.

*Before the second session there is an opportunity for any short announcements so please let us know on the night if you would like a slot or 1-2mins.

FYI: BCS (Berkshire) Social Tech Group meet up (7PM) before our talks. Its a great opportunity for food, drinks, networking and discussions about IT technology, business and advice.

Look forward to seeing you there!

If you are interested in giving a talk at an upcoming event please contact us via twitter: @RDGGeekNight, Facebook or email us: talks [at] rdggeeknight.org

Reading Geek Night – Tuesday 8th October 2019

You can find us upstairs: The Walkabout: Wiston Terrace (off Friar Street) Reading RG1 1DG **NB The venue is licensed for 18 and over **  http://www.walkaboutbars.co.uk/venues/reading/details

• 8:00pm Welcome and Introductions
• 8:05pm The Story of Carbon Arc Lamps Part III (John Holden)
• 8:35pm Networking & beers
• 9:00pm Short announcements/updates*
• 9:05pm Why Mary Anning Rocks! (Katie Cooper – Science in Reading/University of Reading)
• 9:35pm End (Networking and beers downstairs)

Backgrounders:

The story of carbon arc lamps part three (John Holden)

In the final talk on arc lights John will show historic photographs of familiar locations where these lamps were used, then describe an interesting divergence between continental and American use of these lamps during the 1880’s The Edwardian era saw the decline in the use of these except in specialised applications such as actinotherapy and picture projection. The use of carbon arc lamps in magic lanterns and cinema projectors will be shown along with the power supplies. The talk will conclude with one authors prediction of the future use of carbon arc lamps.

Why Mary Anning Rocks! (Katie Cooper – Science in Reading/University of Reading)

 

Mary Anning was an overlooked pioneer of palaeontology. As a working class, non-educated woman in the 1800s, she never published her findings but her discoveries paved the way for the modern understanding of our planet’s history and the creatures that once roamed upon it. Hear about her life, the amazing creatures she found, and how we are looking to spread her story to inspire a new generation of geologists.

 

Mary’s achievements will be extolled by Dr Katie Cooper, a lapsed geologist, science communicator and badge-wearing STEMinist, who is championing the Mary Anning Rocks campaign which aims to erect a statue of Mary in her home town of Lyme Regis.

 

Usual format is to gather from 7:30pm and commence the talks at 8:00pm. Talks are ~20mins + Q&A with a break of 20mins for networking and beer.

*Before the second session there is an opportunity for any short announcements so please let us know on the night if you would like a slot or 1-2mins.

FYI: BCS (Berkshire) Social Tech Group meet up (7PM) before our talks. Its a great opportunity for food, drinks, networking and discussions about IT technology, business and advice.

Look forward to seeing you there!

If you are interested in giving a talk at an upcoming event please contact us via twitter: @RDGGeekNight, Facebook or email us: talks [at] rdggeeknight.org

Reading Geek Night – Tuesday 10th September 2019

You can find us upstairs: The Walkabout: Wiston Terrace (off Friar Street) Reading RG1 1DG **NB The venue is licensed for 18 and over **  http://www.walkaboutbars.co.uk/venues/reading/details

The first part of the evening the floor will be open for ‘open mic – chalk & talk’. So if you want to share your geekery for ~5/10mins please feel free to grab the mic 🙂 We will be kicking off with some cool subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics…)

• 8:00pm Welcome and Introductions
• 8:05pm Open Mic
• 8:35pm Networking & beers
• 9:00pm Short announcements/updates*
• 9:05pm Antweight combat robots (Mark Robson)
• 9:35pm End (Networking and beers downstairs)

Backgrounders:

Antweight combat robots (Mark Robson)

These are 150g remote-controlled fighting machines built by a diverse and interesting bunch of people; we meet up to fight them against each other in tournaments a few times per year. I’ll be talking about the social, practical, and of course technical aspects of the sport.

 

Usual format is to gather from 7:30pm and commence the talks at 8:00pm. Talks are ~20mins + Q&A with a break of 20mins for networking and beer.

*Before the second session there is an opportunity for any short announcements so please let us know on the night if you would like a slot or 1-2mins.

FYI: BCS (Berkshire) Social Tech Group meet up (7PM) before our talks. Its a great opportunity for food, drinks, networking and discussions about IT technology, business and advice.

Look forward to seeing you there!

If you are interested in giving a talk at an upcoming event please contact us via twitter: @RDGGeekNight, Facebook or email us: talks [at] rdggeeknight.org

Reading Science & Tech Meetup Groups Summer Gathering – Tuesday 13th August 2019

You can find us upstairs: The Walkabout: Wiston Terrace (off Friar Street) Reading RG1 1DG **NB The venue is licensed for 18 and over **  http://www.walkaboutbars.co.uk/venues/reading/details

We are pleased to announce the Reading STEM Summer Get Together. A brilliant excuse to meet with Reading’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics professionals, practitioners and enthusiasts.

Theme: Reading STEM Summer Get Together

Time: 7pm until late

Venue: Upstairs @ The Walkabout Bar (Reading)

During the evening each group represented will get a short slot to let you know more about them and what they do.

Familiar faces from the following groups:

• Agile Valley
• British Computer Society (Reading Branch)
• ConnectTVT
• Google Developer Group Reading & Thames Valley
• IET Berkshire
• Innovation Catalyst
• Missing Maps
• PHP Berkshire
• Reading and District Amateur Radio Club
• Reading Data Science Group
• Reading Hydro
• Reading Tester Gathering
• rlab
• Science in Reading
• Startup Grind Thames Valley
• Thing Network Reading
• …and others 🙂

All Science & Tech meetup groups in the area are very welcome.

Also please join us on the new Slack workspace for Reading STEM so you can get involved with our local community 🙂 (Suggested format (org)) Join our Slack page here!

Contacts us: @RDGGeekNight, Facebook or email us: talks [at] rdggeeknight.org

Parking:

Reading Station car park or NCP Car Park Garrard St, Berks, Reading RG1 1NR. Please note its advisable not to leave anything of value on view in your vehicle.

Reading Geek Night – Tuesday 9th July 2019

You can find us upstairs: The Walkabout: Wiston Terrace (off Friar Street) Reading RG1 1DG **NB The venue is licensed for 18 and over **  http://www.walkaboutbars.co.uk/venues/reading/details

• 8:00pm Welcome and Introductions
• 8:05pm Social Media, Smartphones and Relationships (Martin Graff – University of South Wales)
• 8:35pm Networking & beers
• 9:00pm Short announcements/updates*
• 9:05pm The Story of Carbon Arc Lamps Part II (John Holden)
• 9:35pm End (Networking and beers downstairs)

Backgrounders:

Social Media, Smartphones and Relationships (Martin Graff – University of South Wales)

More and more people now meet through dating apps, although it is possible that relationships that start this way will differ to relationships that are initiated face-to-face. Furthermore, social media allows people to keep in close contact with relationship partners and even engage in partner surveillance behaviour arousing jealousy and suspicion. Additionally, social media has a function in validating romantic relationships and allowing people to communicate romantic love in ways not possible before. This talk will explain how smartphones and social media have changed the way in which people conduct their romantic relationships, and present data outlining the types of people more likely to conduct their relationships in this way.

The Story of Carbon Arc Lamps Part II (John Holden)

In the later Victorian period the carbon arc lamp had become a well established common electric light source. The Victorians developed surprisingly sensitive automatic controls for these lamps and this talk will explain some of the later Victorian developments. Illustrated with examples of public lighting as well as applications in the theatre, photography, military and lighthouses. The increasing use of these lights is linked to the developments of electric sources of sufficient power and economical costs so there will be a brief outline of the generators from this period.

Usual format is to gather from 7:30pm and commence the talks at 8:00pm. Talks are ~20mins + Q&A with a break of 20mins for networking and beer.

*Before the second session there is an opportunity for any short announcements so please let us know on the night if you would like a slot or 1-2mins.

FYI: BCS (Berkshire) Social Tech Group meet up (7PM) before our talks. Its a great opportunity for food, drinks, networking and discussions about IT technology, business and advice.

Look forward to seeing you there!

If you are interested in giving a talk at an upcoming event please contact us via twitter: @RDGGeekNight, Facebook or email us: talks [at] rdggeek

Reading Geek Night – Tuesday 11th June 2019

You can find us upstairs: The Walkabout: Wiston Terrace (off Friar Street) Reading RG1 1DG **NB The venue is licensed for 18 and over **  http://www.walkaboutbars.co.uk/venues/reading/details

Due to a speaker sickness the first part of the evening the floor will be open for ‘open mic – chalk & talk’. So if you want to share your geekery for ~5/10mins please feel free to grab the mic 🙂 We will be kicking off with some cool subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics…) … For the second part of the evening Dan Cope will be giving a great talk on Data Ethics. Come along for networking, beers and get involved with the geekery  🙂

Theme: Open Format & Data Ethics

• 8:00pm Welcome and Introductions
• 8:05pm Open Mic – Chalk & Talk 
• 8:35pm Networking & beers
• 9:00pm Short announcements/updates*
• 9:05pm Data Ethics beyond compliance and ensuring customer centricity (Dan Cope – BCS)
• 9:35pm End (Networking and beers downstairs)

Backgrounders:

Data Ethics beyond compliance and ensuring customer centricity (Dan Cope – BCS)

Dan’s talk looks to focus the minds of individuals and business on the customer, looking at the ethical side of the law and providing practical takeaways to drive your compliance journey forward.

 

Usual format is to gather from 7:30pm and commence the talks at 8:00pm. Talks are ~20mins + Q&A with a break of 20mins for networking and beer.

*Before the second session there is an opportunity for any short announcements so please let us know on the night if you would like a slot or 1-2mins.

FYI: BCS (Berkshire) Social Tech Group meet up (7PM) before our talks. Its a great opportunity for food, drinks, networking and discussions about IT technology, business and advice.

Look forward to seeing you there!

If you are interested in giving a talk at an upcoming event please contact us via twitter: @RDGGeekNight, Facebook or email us: talks [at] rdggeek

Reading Geek Night – Tuesday 14th May 2019

You can find us upstairs: The Walkabout: Wiston Terrace (off Friar Street) Reading RG1 1DG **NB The venue is licensed for 18 and over **  http://www.walkaboutbars.co.uk/venues/reading/details

• 8:00pm Welcome and Introductions
• 8:05pm The Story of Carbon Arc Lights (John Holden)
• 8:35pm Networking & beers
• 9:00pm Short announcements/updates*
• 9:05pm Privacy Challenges with modern social media (Pawel Krawczyk)
• 9:35pm End (Networking and beers downstairs)

Backgrounders:

The Story of Carbon Arc Lights (John Holden)

In the eighteenth century natural philosophers discovered more about the mysterious electrical phenomena. Who were these early scientists and what are their most significant findings? Some are familiar and some are lesser known names. Who were the engineers that exploited the science to develop the first practical source of electrical light of the early Victorian era. A technology that lasted as late as 1967. The filament light bulb invented in 1879 found widespread use in the home but could not match the efficiency or brightness of this earlier technology. Using gears, coils, levers, springs and waste from town gasworks the Victorians developed an efficient, bright light source developing controls of surprising precision. This true story is more steampunk than steampunk. The lamps themselves have all but disappeared and the nearest one found in a museum is sixty miles from Reading. Thankfully Victorian books, engravings and photographs are used to reveal the story in this lavishly illustrated talk.

John Holden recently presented a few light bulb examples in the January Geek night meeting and some of his collection is on loan to a display in Reading Museum. He is a member of the historic lighting club open to anyone interested in the history of lighting. They hold regular meetings where members display and exchange information on lamps. Winter meetings tend to be cosy with over thirty oil lamps burning.

Privacy Challenges with modern social media (Pawel Krawczyk)

Pawel will talk about the privacy challenges associated with modern social media looking at the current ecosystem like Facebook, Instagram and some of the alternatives such as Diaspora and Mastodon.

 

Usual format is to gather from 7:30pm and commence the talks at 8:00pm. Talks are ~20mins + Q&A with a break of 20mins for networking and beer.

*Before the second session there is an opportunity for any short announcements so please let us know on the night if you would like a slot or 1-2mins.

FYI: BCS (Berkshire) Social Tech Group meet up (7PM) before our talks. Its a great opportunity for food, drinks, networking and discussions about IT technology, business and advice.

Look forward to seeing you there!

If you are interested in giving a talk at an upcoming event please contact us via twitter: @RDGGeekNight, Facebook or email us: talks [at] rdggeeknight.org