30 January 2011
'Showing the Unseen' - 2011 Saturday Evening Lecture Series
The ways in which visualisation of complex theories and information bring science to life will be explored when the 2011 Saturday Evening Lecture Series is launched next week.
Bang Wong, creative director of the Broad Institute, run by Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, will be appearing at the University of Dundee’s Dalhousie Building from 6pm on Saturday, 5th February.
His talk, ‘Showing the Unseen’, will explore how art and design can enable scientific discovery and understanding.
Throughout history, drawings have been used to understand, document, and communicate the natural world around us. Images have played a critical role in the advancement of science and medicine and, today, researchers work at the molecular level and generate an unprecedented amount of data.
The challenge is to benefit from this deluge of information without being overwhelmed. Visual representation of data offers insights that can lead to new understanding, whether the purpose is analysis or communication.
Bang says that a large part of his job involves explaining scientific discoveries to the layperson.
'It really isn’t that difficult to explain quite complex concepts as long as you don’t use too much jargon,' he said.
'There’s no doubt that a lot of people learn and understand best through vision. Some people learn through audio or the written word, but an image can really help people understand a concept.'
The Broad Institute carries out ground-breaking research into the DNA genome sequence. In addition to his role there, Bang Wong is also adjunct assistant professor at John Hopkins University School of Medicine in the US.
His visit to Dundee marks the start of the 87th season of Saturday Evening Lecture Series. It is Scotland's oldest continuous free public lecture series, and attracts thousands of people each year to hear varied and thought-provoking lectures from prestigious, world-class speakers.
Bang Wong will appear at the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill at 6pm on Saturday, 5th February. A drinks reception will follow the event, for which there may be overflow theatres in use.
Free tickets are available by calling 01382 385564, emailing events@dundee.ac.uk, visiting the University's Online Store or from the University’s Tower Building Reception.
More information about all events in the 2011 Saturday Evening Lecture Series, and the speakers, is available at the SELS webpage.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
