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At this event we have three research scientists from the University of Kent, explaining their work in an accessible and stimulating way. The loose theme for the evening is how technology affects everyday life. We start with Dr Gurprit Lall discussing circadian rhythms, how they influence health and how tech can impact that. Secondly Dr Jason Nurse will give an eye-opening presentation on how companies target us with tailored computer adverts. Lastly, Dr Matt Fysh will explain how person recognition is employed from passports to the military. It should be an enlightening and entertaining night!
Circadian Rhythms
Dr Gurprit Lall
(Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology & Neurophysiology)
The environmental day/night cycle is an essential component of life; where throughout evolution, organisms have used this signal as a timing cue to which they regulate/ synchronise their 24 hour (circadian) biological activity. Circadian rhythms impact health; e.g. sleep, depression (S.A.D) and cancer and are influenced by technology (i.e. mobile phones) These issues will be covered, with particular focus on changes during aging, and how we can help our ‘clock’ work better in our everyday lives.
Data Security
Dr Jason Nurse
(Lecturer in Computing)
Online advertising is big business. Firms have the ability to launch targeted ad campaigns to influence consumers/public. To do this they constantly explore new ways to gather information, often at the expense of our privacy. This spans traditional web tracking, smartphone apps and new technologies (e.g., smart-tech). Find out about the tricks advertisers use to track users, what the risks to us are, and some tips on how to protect ourselves online, and guard what little privacy we have left!
Drones for Facial Recognition
Dr Matt Fysh
(Lecturer in Psychology)
How good is technology at identifying faces, from passport control to the application of drones for the identification of individuals? For example, drones are increasingly being utilised by the military for target acquisition and elimination. Despite this deployment, how accurate are such methods of identification in reality? In this session, we’ll find out – the results may surprise you!
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