Robotic surgery, imaging of cancer cells and liquid crystal displays are just three of the many intriguing topics that will be discussed in a series of lectures being held throughout the academic year by the Cambridge Society for the Application of Research.

The next lecture will be on Monday October 19th at the Department of Biochemistry, Tennis Court Road.

The President of the society, Professor Brian Ford (pictured right), will examine the misappropriation of intellectual property with some remarkable examples of plagiarism.

The lectures will take place on a fortnightly basis, and begin at 7:30pm covering a broad range of topics, from science to engineering and look into major issues that are facing the world today.

An expert on each topic will lead the lectures, on Monday 2nd November; presenter of the BBC’s “Material World” Quentin Cooper will consider how science and the public collide.

Professor David Neal, Professor of Surgical Oncology at Cancer Research UK will lead a lecture on robotic surgery and look at new and minimally-invasive ways of carrying out major surgery using new technology on Monday 30th November.

On Tuesday 16th February, Dr Kevin Brindle from the Cancer Research Institute and Department of Biochemistry will talk on the use of magnetic resonance and other forms of spectroscopy to study cancer cells. This method allows doctors to gain information on the human body in a non-invasive way.

On Monday 10th May, the lecture will focus on ‘Holographic Technologies’. Dr Wilkinson, Reader in Photonic Engineering at Cambridge will talk about liquid crystal displays, which can be found in devices ranging from aircraft cockpits to every-day consumer devices such as calculators and telephones.

President of the society Professor Brian Ford said: ‘Our programme ranges across science and engineering, technology and medicine, and we have distinguished speakers who are eager to share their knowledge. We always come away refreshed and knowing that we've learnt more.’

To view the entire programme of lectures, please use the link to the CSAR website top right of this page.

The lectures are open to all; members are admitted for free, and non members are asked to pay a nominal fee of £3.00.

For more information on membership please visit the CSAR website using the link top right of this page.

The CSAR also organise visits throughout the year, the programme can be found using the link top right of this page.

The Cambridge Society for the Application of Research was founded in 1956 and aims to provide a forum for scientists to meet and discuss topics of interest.

The Society exists to promote the appreciation of science and to assist in its application to the world.

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