Imperial Lates comes back to South Kensington with mind-bending science

From the wonders of the brain to the science behind sci fi, Imperial Lates will be engaging new visitors with the College’s cutting-edge research.

Taking inspiration from the traditional museum lates experience, Imperial Lates offers adult visitors a relaxed sociable evening discovering new Imperial scientific discoveries through hands on demos, live experiments, inspiring talks and artistic workshops. 

The first brain-themed after-hours event on Wednesday 23 March will bring together Imperial researchers working on topics as varied as psychedelic medicine, mind-controlled technologies, the brain chemistry of addiction, and improving your mental health. 

This will be the first Lates back in South Kensington since the series were run as online events throughout 2020-21, during which time over 3,000 households watched live from their homes. On top of the Imperial Lates evening itself on 23 March, there will also be online events ahead of the Lates to allow people to tune in from wherever they are to get a taste of the event. 

Highlights of Imperial Lates: The Brain include: 

• Gambling disorder: As Imperial begins a brain imaging study of gambling addicts, an expert panel will discuss the neurological and societal causes of this growing, yet hidden illness
• Brain illusion workshop: Create your own optical illusion artwork and explore what these mind tricks tell us about how the brain works
• Understanding neurodiversity: Neurodiverse leaders from business and academics tell their stories and tackle the normalisation and celebration of brain differences
• Day in the life of talks with a psychedelic medicine scientist and a sleep and body clock scientist  
• Online connections and our mental health: Discuss the value of web connections and internet friendships with researchers exploring how virtual support networks impact young people’s mental health.

James Romero, Public Engagement Manager said: “We’re thrilled to be returning the Lates to their home in South Kensington where the public can once again have meaningful conversations around our science and interact directly with Imperial’s researchers. The Lates, alongside other public events including the Great Exhibition Road Festival, are key to ensuring our research is accessible, relevant and responsive to the needs and insights of society.” 

After exploring the brain, the 2022 after work season will continue with Imperial Lates: Sci-Fi on Thursday 28 April, which will explore where science ends and science fiction starts and what the world of sci-fi might say about the future of our scientific research. 

Register for Imperial Lates: The Brain to join us on 23 March and sign up to the Imperial public events newsletter for the latest news about future events including Imperial Lates. Or staff and students interested in getting involved in events like the Imperial Lates can sign up to the Societal Engagement newsletter to hear about the latest opportunities to engage wider audiences with Imperial’s work.