̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Press

Changing Course on Climate

plc32 — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 12:01:02 +0000

̽��ֱ��global publishing and assessment arm of the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge is calling on teachers in 160 countries to help improve climate change education for nearly a million 3-19 year-olds.

Inaugural Sustainability Showcase celebrates environmental achievements across Cambridge

jek67 — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 12:59:52 +0000

Departing from the traditional format of separate award ceremonies, the showcase brought together numerous sustainability engagement programs administered by the Environmental Sustainability Team (EST), along with initiatives from other departments within the university.

Dr Sally Pidgeon, Head of Environmental Sustainability at the EST, opened the showcase which celebrated the exceptional efforts of volunteers, staff, and students, with a particular focus on the Green Impact program.

A total of 43 awards were bestowed for outstanding contributions to sustainability, including an impressive 12 teams that achieved Platinum status. To earn Platinum recognition, teams had to successfully complete 80% of the Green Impact workbook, demonstrating their dedication to sustainable practices.

̽��ֱ��esteemed institutions and teams that attained Platinum status this year included Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Press and Assessment Cape Town, Cancer Research UK, IMS-MRL, ̽��ֱ��Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, ̽��ֱ��Green Genies - DPHPC, Christ's College, Churchill College, Clare College, Gonville & Caius College, Robinson College, St John's College, and Wolfson College.

Additionally, nine teams achieved Excellence status, which involved undertaking a seven-month project centred around a specific sustainability theme of their choosing. These projects encompassed a wide range of sustainability aspects and addressed various challenges.

Some notable projects included:

̽��ֱ��Botanic Gardens: Exploring methods to reduce energy demands in the uninsulated, Grade II listed building at 1 Brookside.
Jesus and Churchill Colleges' Seed Library: Establishing a seed library to promote sustainable agriculture.
Lucy Cavendish College: Creating a Living Lab for Green Nudges to encourage sustainable behaviours.
Murray Edwards College: Implementing the Student Sustainability Leaders Programme.
Robinson College: Enhancing sustainability in guest supplies at the college.

Within the Green Impact program, teams also had the opportunity to nominate colleagues, students, and projects for 'Special Awards' to recognize exceptional contributions. Many of these individuals voluntarily dedicated significant amounts of time and effort to promote sustainability within their respective colleges, institutions, departments, or workplaces.

̽��ֱ��winners of these special awards were announced as follows:

Sustainability Hero:
- Winner: Ivan Higney, Darwin College
- Highly Commended: Oscar Holgate, Wolfson College
Innovation for Engagement:
- Winner: Animal agriculture, Lucy Cavendish College
- Highly Commended: Sustainability Thinking Space, Wolfson College
Environmental Improvement:
- Winner: Clare College Braeside
- Highly Commended: Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Press and Assessment, South Africa Biodiversity Hikes
Community Action:
- Winner: Darwin College, Project Second Life
Student Leadership Award:
- Winner: Deidre Boodoosingh, Wolfson College
- Highly Commended: Lauren Court, Girton College

Furthermore, seven LEAF awards were presented to lab-based teams as part of the newly established program. ̽��ֱ��LEAF awards recognize outstanding sustainability efforts in laboratories that reduce the carbon footprint of their work.

You can read more about the Sustainability Showcase from the EST team here.

̽��ֱ��Environmental Sustainability Team at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge hosted its first-ever Sustainability Showcase on 21st June at Wolfson College.

Gemma Dunsmure and Emily Jones from the Green Genies – ̽��ֱ��Department of Public Health and Primary Care, winners of a Platinum Green Impact Award

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Images, including our videos, are Copyright © ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and licensors/contributors as identified. All rights reserved. We make our image and video content available in a number of ways – as here, on our main website under its Terms and conditions, and on a range of channels including social media that permit your use and sharing of our content under their respective Terms.

Yes

Cambridge Science Festival returns for milestone 25th year

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 15:48:27 +0000

Celebrating its 25th year, the Festival runs for two weeks from 11-24 March and explores the theme of ‘discoveries’. An impressive line-up of acclaimed scientists includes microscopist Professor Dame Pratibha Gai, Astronomer Royal Professor Lord Martin Rees, 2018 Nobel prize winner Sir Gregory Winter, geneticist Dr Giles Yeo, statistician Professor David Spiegelhalter, engineer Dr Hugh Hunt, marine biologist and author Helen Scales, THIS Institute Director Professor Mary Dixon-Woods, futurist Mark Stevenson, and science presenter Steve Mould.

̽��ֱ��full programme is teeming with events ranging from debates, talks, exhibitions, workshops and interactive activities to films, comedy and performances, held in lecture theatres, museums, cafes and galleries around Cambridge. There are events for all ages and most are free.
With so many events on offer, audiences will be spoilt for choice. Some of the biggest events in week one include:

Is technology making us miserable? (11 March). Virtually every interaction we have is mediated through technology. Despite being ‘always-on’, are we any better off? Are we better connected? Or is technology making us miserable?
Putting radioactivity in perspective (12 March). Following a renewal of electricity generated by nuclear power, Professors Ian Farnan and Gerry Thomas, Imperial College London, discuss radioactivity in the natural world and the outcomes of decades of study on the health effects of radiation. Could these research outcomes reset attitudes towards radiation and the risks?
̽��ֱ��universe of black holes (13 March). Christopher Reynolds, Plumian Professor of Astronomy, describes how future research into black holes may yet again change our view of reality.
̽��ֱ��long-term perspective of climate change (14 March). Professors Ulf Büntgen, Mike Hulme, Christine Lane, Hans W Linderholm, Clive Oppenheimer, Baskar Vira, and Paul J Krusic discuss how we investigate past climate and the challenges we face in applying this to the policy-making process.
Catalytic activation of renewable resources to make polymers and fuels (15 March). Professor Charlotte Williams, ̽��ֱ�� of Oxford, discusses the development of catalysts able to transform carbon dioxide into methanol, a process which may deliver more sustainable liquid transport fuels in the future.
Does the mother ever reject the fetus? (15 March). Professor Ashley Moffett discusses fetal rejection and explores new discoveries that show that there are multiple mechanisms to ensure there is a peaceful environment in the uterus, where the placenta is allowed to grow and develop to support the fetus.

Top picks for the second week include:

Cambridge gravity lecture: Sir Gregory Winter (18 March). Sir Gregory is a molecular biologist and 2018 Nobel Laureate best known for his work on developing technologies to make therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. His research has led to antibody therapies for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
Discoveries leading to new treatments for dementia (18 March). Professor of Clinical Neurosciences and Associate Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute, Giovanna Mallucci discusses how new research leading to insights into dementia and degenerative brain diseases may lead to new treatments.
Improving quality and safety in healthcare (19 March). THIS Institute Director Professor Mary Dixon-Woods looks at the challenges to improving quality and safety in healthcare and considers why it’s so hard to answer the question: Does quality improvement actually improve quality? With Dr Fiona Godlee, Editor in Chief of ̽��ֱ��BMJ.
Immunology: the future of medicine? (19 March) Professor Clare Bryant and a panel of Cambridge immunologists discuss how understanding disease triggers may enable entirely new approaches to treating and potentially preventing disease.
Polar ocean: the dead end of plastic debris (19 March). An estimated 80% of all the litter in our oceans is plastic, and a significant concentration of plastics debris is found in both polar oceans. ̽��ֱ��impact of this debris on the sensitive polar ecosystem could be profound. Pelagic marine ecologist Dr Clara Manno, British Antarctic Survey, explores the current research and existing situation in the polar regions.
Reluctant futurist (19 March). Old models for healthcare, education, food production, energy supply and government are creaking under the weight of modern challenges. Futurist Mark Stevenson looks at the next 30 years and asks, how can we re-invent ourselves for the future?
Adolescent mental health: resilience after childhood adversity (20 March). Adolescence is characterised by huge physiological changes as well as a rapid rise in mental health disorders. Around 45% of adolescent mental health problems are caused by childhood difficulties but fortunately not all who experience difficulties develop mental health disorders. Dr Anne-Laura van Harmelen discusses mechanisms that may help adolescents with a history of childhood difficulty to become more resilient.
Making algorithms trustworthy (21 March). Increasingly, algorithms are being used to make judgements about sensitive parts of our lives. How do we check how their conclusions were arrived at, and if they are valid and fair? Professor David Spiegelhalter looks at efforts to make algorithms transparent and trustworthy, using systems that make predictions for people with cancer as an example.
On the future: prospects for humanity (22 March). Professor Lord Martin Rees argues that humanity’s prospects on Earth and in space depend on our taking a different approach to planning for tomorrow.

This year’s Cambridge Science Festival also celebrates significant milestones in science, including the 200th anniversary of Cambridge Philosophical Society, Cambridge’s oldest scientific society, and 150 years since the publication of the modern Periodic Table.

Speaking ahead of the Festival, Dr Lucinda Spokes, Festival Manager, said: “We are tremendously proud of this year’s programme due to the variety of events and the calibre of our speakers from a range of institutions and industries.

“Alongside the meatier topics we have an array of events for all ages and interests across both weekends. We have everything from the science of perfumery and how your mood affects your taste, to a science version of 'Would I Lie to You?'

“One of my personal top picks are the open days at the various institutes and departments based at the West Cambridge site on Saturday 23 March. As always, the site is hosting some truly fascinating events, everything from the future of construction and how to make Alexa smarter, to how nanotechnology is opening up new routes in healthcare, and state-of-the-art approaches to low-cost solar energy and high-efficiency lighting solutions.

“A Festival of this magnitude would not be possible without the help from many people; we thank all our scientists, supporters, partners and sponsors, without whom the Festival would not happen. Most of all, we thank the audiences – there are more than 60,000 visits to the Festival events every year. We very much look forward to welcoming everyone from all ages to join us in March to explore the fabulous world of science.”

You can download the full programme here.

Bookings open on Monday 11 February at 11am.

This year’s Festival sponsors and partners are Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Press, AstraZeneca, MedImmune, Illumina, TTP Group, Science AAAS, Anglia Ruskin ̽��ֱ��, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge Science Centre, Cambridge Junction, IET, Hills Road 6th Form College, British Science Week, Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Health Partners, Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology, and Walters Kundert Charitable Trust. Media Partners: BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and Cambridge Independent.

̽��ֱ��2019 Cambridge Science Festival is set to host more than 350 events as it explores a range of issues that affect today’s world, from challenges around climate change policy, improving safety and quality in healthcare, and adolescent mental health, to looking at what the next 25 years holds for us and whether quantum computers can change the world.

We have everything from the science of perfumery and how your mood affects your taste, to a science version of 'Would I Lie to You?'

Dr Lucinda Spokes

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Images, including our videos, are Copyright © ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and licensors/contributors as identified. All rights reserved. We make our image and video content available in a number of ways – as here, on our main website under its Terms and conditions, and on a range of channels including social media that permit your use and sharing of our content under their respective Terms.

Yes

̽��ֱ��big book visits the big library

sjr81 — Thu, 12 May 2011 16:12:14 +0000

Visitors to the Library on those days can let their imagination run wild with a huge 2.2 metre high, walk-in book, placed at the front of the building designed by Giles Gilbert Scott.

̽��ֱ��Big Book, entitled Imagine, is a leather-bound wooden sculpture that invites the ‘reader’ to step inside and write their own individual answer to the question: “What do you imagine?”

̽��ֱ��work of artist Diana Bell, the Big Book will be on display at the front entrance to the ̽��ֱ�� Library, on West Road, on Thursday 19^th, Friday 20^th and Saturday 21^st of May. ̽��ֱ��project is sponsored by the Library and Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Press.

̽��ֱ��book made its debut at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, last year, when 1,200 people contributed in four days. Since then it has been an international traveller, collecting the thoughts of people in more than 57 languages.

̽��ֱ��Big Book represents not only the huge role books play in our society, but also how individuals collaborate and work together in search of knowledge. All the contributions are handwritten, in contrast to the challenges of the digital age that publishers now face.

Diana Bell said: “ ̽��ֱ��reason the contributions are all handwritten is to emphasise the huge role individuality and imagination plays in our lives, and the empathy and interaction it allows us to have. I didn’t think contributing online would have the same impact, but all the contributions are scanned and placed on the Big Book website, so I am definitely embracing the digital age too!”

So far about 1,900 people have written in the book, approximately 250 people per page. Diverse contributions include: “I imagine I could walk”, from a person in a wheelchair; “I imagine being an artist”, from a nine-year-old boy; “Try to imagine a totally new life“; “Imagine if humans were not the dominant species on the planet?”; “Imagine if all the bees died”, and “Imagine if we truly learned”.

And now it is time for the people of Cambridge to have their say, and take their place in the Big Book.

Community Relations Manager for Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Press, Heidi Mulvey, said: “Our principal purpose is to advance knowledge and education and projects like this are a real inspiration. Diana’s project is so inclusive and engaging and we are delighted to be able to help bring this thought-provoking art project to Cambridge.”

A class from St. Luke’s Primary School and participants from Romsey Mill, the charity that works to overcome disadvantage and promote social inclusion, the Press’s sponsored charity for this year, will be amongst the first to write in the book at 10am on Thursday 19^th.

Deputy Librarian Sue Mehrer said: " This event is a wonderful opportunity for everyone who visits to be a part of Diana's work and record their thoughts. We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to meet the artist and take part in the project."

̽��ֱ��Big Book will be outside Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Library’s main entrance on West Road from 10am-7pm on Thursday, May 19th and Friday, May 20^th, and between 10am-5pm on Saturday, May 21st.

Diana added, “Imagine. Participate. Contribute. Absolutely everyone is invited, all languages, all age groups. I am particularly keen for contributions from mathematicians and scientists – are we the only animal that has imagination? Why do we have imaginary numbers? I will be on hand throughout the three days to answer any questions and encourage everyone to be part of this.”

After the visit, contributors can view their page, and others, at www.imaginethebigbook.com

Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Library is home to more than seven million books and is one of only six Legal Deposit libraries in the UK and Ireland – entitling it to a free copy of every book, journal, map and music published in the United Kingdom.

It may already be home to more than seven million books, but Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Library is to host one of the world’s biggest books from May 19-21.

Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Library is home to books of all shapes and sizes, but Diana's book is clearly something special.

Sue Mehrer, Deputy Librarian, Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Library

CUP/Phil Mynott

Diana Bell and Cambridge school children with the Big Book outside Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Library

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. If you use this content on your site please link back to this page.

Yes