Nerd Nite London- September 2017

Nerd Nite London is a monthly event where three speakers give 18-21 minute fun-yet-informative talks across all disciplines, while the audience drinks along.

Address: the Backyard Comedy Club, 231 Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 0EL

Details: Tuesday September 19th.

Tickets: Early nerd tickets £6, general admission £7.50. Tickets will go on sale at the beginning of September.

Doors open: 6.30pm, event starts: 7.30pm

This month we’ll be launching at a new venue with one of our favourite speakers (Pete Brown) with one of our favourite topics (beer). We’ll also be welcoming two new nerds to the stage talking about human history, DNA, and using stats to save lives. Join us, be there and be square.

Miracle Brew: The Nature and Science of Beer

We’ve been brewing and drinking beer for thousands of years, without understanding how or why the brewing process works. In the Middle Ages, yeast was called ‘godisgoode’ because no one had any idea what fermentation was. From the birth of brewing (and civilization) in the Middle East, through an exploration of water’s unmurky depths and the surreal madness of drink-sodden hop-blessings in the Czech Republic, this talk will explain some of the nature and science of beer.
Pete Brown is a beer and ale lover and nerd nite favourite. He writes for newspapers and magazines around the world and is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4's Food Programme. He was named British Beer Writer of the Year in 2009, 2012 and 2016, and Fortnum & Mason Drink Book Winner in 2017.

Inferring Human History using DNA

We’ve all wondered at some point who are we, where did we come from and  how did we get here? Whilst these questions have traditionally been addressed through oral traditions, written records, history and archaeology, DNA also contains a record of our past interactions and events. Using a method that compares the DNA of different people to make ancestry inference, this presentation will show how genetics can be used to uncover the stories of not only people alive today but also
those who died thousands of years ago.

Lucy van Dorp is a population geneticist working at University College London Genetics Institute. She’s fascinated by what DNA can tell us about our own
evolution and loves getting to tell people all about the science she does.

Probably certain decision-making

Life is all about decisions- what to study, who to marry, what colour socks to wear- but how can we possibly make the ‘best’ decision? If we’re lucky we may even have some information, but it’s usually impossible take account of everything. In the context of health care, where scarce resources and people's lives are at stake, the pressure to make the right decision is cranked up to 11. This talk will delve in to current decision-analytics to try and find the answers to a few life and death questions. 

Nathan Green is a statistician and mathematical modeller. He has modelled mathematically and statistic'ed things like hospital-acquired infections, TB, chlamydia and pandemic flu. He works at Imperial College London

All proceeds from Nerd Nite London go to charity. This year we are partnering with the Shine Trust to help foster a new generation of nerds. More information about Nerd Nite London can be found by following us on Twitter @nerdnitelondon, liking us on Facebook www.facebook.com/NerdNiteLondon or visiting www.london.nerdnite.com. For more information about the Shine Trust visit www.shinetrust.org.uk