Cafe Scientifique

Since I don't have much to write this week, I thought I'd point you to a valuable link:
the podcast series from the Cafe Scientifique lectures in Cambridge, UK

Cafe Scientifique is a forum for debating science in a relaxed setting
"a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology. Meetings take place in cafes, bars, restaurants and even theatres, but always outside a traditional academic context."
If there is a Cafe Scientifique in your area, I do recommend you try it.
One of these days I'll organise Cafe Scientifique in Athens, Greece!

Meetings in Cambridge take place about once a month and the speakers are usually faculty members and researchers from the University of Cambridge. They are amazingly knowledgeable, but presentations are always fun and approachable, and the Q&A session, as well as the chance to socialise over a drink afterwards, make the whole evening even more enjoyable. The podcast series, while not presenting the full talk, includes an interview with the speaker, presenting their main points, as well as excerpts from the audience questions afterwards.
Topics currently available include the study of obesity, gambling, cancer, dementia, synthetic biology, and many more.

Podcasts are produced by the Naked Scientists team, who also run a weekly radio show, that is definitely worth following.
"Each week, listeners of all ages and backgrounds tune in on a Sunday evening to hear creator Dr. Chris Smith, together with his entertaining sidekicks, interview renowned scientists and researchers from all over the world and take science questions on any subject live from the listening public."
More podcasts are available from that.

Happy listening!