In just one week the Festival of Learning will be kicking off for the second time.  In case you haven’t chosen what you want to come along to, here are a handful of the events coming up.  Click on the event titles to be taken to the Eventbrite page to book.  For the full range of activities happening on and off campus next week head to www.bournemouth.ac.uk/fol

Don’t eat poo and die, eat poo and live: An investigation of things we eat and things we don’t eat

Thursday 12 June, 7pm-9pm, Talbot Campus 

Easily one of the highlights of last years Festival, this event is back by popular demand! The illustrated lecture will investigate things people eat in different cultures and circumstances around the world. It will challenge you to look at what you choose to consume and what you don’t. You can taste some commonly eaten and some less commonly eaten foods… if you dare!

Run by Sean Bear

Too hot to trot: Our obsession with the chilli pepper and other extreme tastes

Monday 9 June, 7pm-9pm, Talbot Campus

Another one from Sean, this interactive lecture will investigate why we love to eat things that cause us pain. As well as challenging you to look more closely at why you consume the food and drink you do this discussion will involve tastings for the bravest of you out there! This is fun for all the family so why not bring the kids along and encourage them to learn something new about their dinner.

Run by Sean Bear

Eat chocolate and bond!

Monday 9 June, 12pm-1pm, Talbot Campus

Sticking with the food and psychology themes, this could be an interesting way to spend your lunch hour.  We all use food to communicate, perhaps without even thinking about what we’re doing.  We give chocolates to apologise and eat birthday cake to say sorry. This event will look at how and why we do this and examine other examples of how we use food to share meanings and communicate.

Run by Andy Boer

Extinction! The future of the human race

Friday 13 June, 11am-12pm, Lansdowne Campus

This talk will explore the concept of Mass Extinction within the geological record, from dinosaurs to giant mammals! You’ll learn about events that could occur in the future and the impact they would have on our planet and society.

Run by Matthew Bennett

Public relations and news: a PR literacy workshop and presentation

Wednesday 11 June, 4pm-6pm, Lansdowne Campus

The event is particularly suited to A-level Politics or Media Studies students interested in exploring questions around construction of the news, agenda setting and power.  The interactive presentation explores the impact of public relations activity on the news.

Run by David McQueen