Science, Culture & Society

Why are the biggest discounts always on the unhealthiest foods? From supermarket shelves to takeaway apps, price promotions are everywhere - but do they actually change what we choose to eat? The UK government plans to restrict price promotions on unhealthy foods in stores, but similar strategies haven't been considered for food purchased outside the home, like in restaurants or through delivery services. This talk explores how deals influence our food decisions and what happens when the discounts disappear. Could changing pricing be the key to healthier choices?

Many children around the world grow up bilingual or even multilingual, using (at least) two languages in their everyday lives. Even though bilingualism is often celebrated nowadays, there are still misconceptions about raising children with more than one language, especially in predominantly monolingual environments (“They will get confused!” “Their English will suffer!”). Come along for an exploration of how people discuss their multilingual parenting dilemmas online, debunking myths and celebrating the brilliance of bilingualism along the way!

When we think about constitutional positions in Northern Ireland, we tend to group people by background: Irish Catholics want a United Ireland, British Protestants want to stay in the Union, and never the twain shall meet. Research shows that constitutional positions are much more fluid and nuanced, influenced by many other factors like whether a United Ireland will have free healthcare or higher taxes. This talk will dispel some of the myths surrounding the constitutional question, exploring the complex factors that influence support for Irish unification.

Join me for a sci-fi-inspired dive into how climate change is changing marine ecosystems, pushing animals and plants to their limits! Visual surveys sometimes struggle to track changes, but what if we could read the ocean’s genetic fingerprints? My research unlocks the power of environmental DNA—traces DNA left in seawater—to reveal hidden shifts in where marine creatures live. Discover how this cutting-edge tech is transforming the way we monitor our changing oceans!