The Pint of Science concept was invented in 2012 by Dr Michael Motskin and Dr Praveen Paul, two London-based researchers. When they opened the doors of their laboratory to the general public, they discovered a curious public fascinated by science. The question then arose: “How can we repeat this experience?

How about taking science and scientists out of the lab walls and into pubs?

Since 2014, there has been a French version. Last year it took place in over 50 towns and cities in France and brought together almost 10,000 participants.

Once again this year, researchers from ENS de Lyon are taking part to help demystify scientific research and introduce it to the general public in a relaxed setting.

May 20^th

4MOST: the latest-generation cosmographer

Dr Johan Richard (Astronomer at the Lyon Astrophysique Research Center)

Sky mapping is an essential tool for astronomers to study stars and galaxies. The latest instruments on large telescopes can now measure the positions and physical properties of millions of objects. I'll be presenting the latest of these instruments, 4MOST, two of whose three spectrographs are built at the Lyon Observatory. This machine for probing the Universe will enable us to observe millions of stars and galaxies from Chile, starting in autumn 2025.

Our neighbors the birds: can city dwellers hear biodiversity?

Eloïse Bellet (PhD student Lyon 3, Environment, Cities and Communities

To what extent can birdsong strengthen our ties with urban biodiversity? In the city, it can be difficult to stay in touch with nature. Yet nature is very much present and needs to be protected. My work aims to find out not only whether citizens can hear birds singing, but also what these songs mean to them: could they represent a means of mobilizing residents in favor of protecting urban biodiversity?

Cognitive science: science and/or philosophy?

Camille Lépingle (PhD student at IHRIM (ENS de Lyon), CRNL - Trajectoires (Inserm))

Cognitive science refers to a group of disciplines whose aim is to explain the major faculties of the human mind, such as perception, attention, reasoning and memory. While the interest of psychology, neurobiology and artificial intelligence in better understanding the workings of our brains and minds may seem obvious (and yet!), there's no doubt that that of philosophy raises questions. What's philosophy got to do with it, when it doesn't even have the title of “science” and seems to pose more problems than it solves? 

May 21^st

Stories of peace: decoding bonobos, chimpanzees and humans

Dr Elisa Demuru (Post-doctoral fellow at the Language Dynamics Laboratory, ENES team)

Bonobos and chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, offer a unique window on the evolution of human language. This talk will explore the communication abilities of these two extraordinary species by analyzing their social interactions. Using concrete examples and recent scientific discoveries, we will highlight the similarities and differences between their communication systems and our own. Knowing more about the social dynamics of bonobos and chimpanzees not only gives us a better understanding of the origins of language, but also enables us to reflect on the role of cooperation, social tolerance and empathy in the evolution of our species. A captivating journey to the heart of the origins of our humanity.

Can physics help you drive faster?

Dr Philippe Odier (Senior Associate professor at the Physics Laboratory - ENS de Lyon)

In his quest for speed, every detail counts for the cyclist, and aerodynamics plays a key role in his performance. Two studies are presented here. The first explores the impact of textiles on air resistance, contributing to the choice of outfits used at the Olympic Games. The second deciphers the “drafting” effect, a phenomenon that enables cyclists to reduce their effort when following another cyclist. A unique opportunity to discover how research pushes the limits of the possible to gain those precious fractions of a second!

All the programmation Pint of Science in Lyon