Decipher the earliest languages, debate AI and learn about climate change research at START

Posted on: 26 September 2022

From the anti-icing properties of polar bears to deciphering medieval manuscripts and designing computer programmes used by space agencies, the diverse world of academic research will be laid bare at START at Trinity College Dublin on the evening of Friday 30^th September. 

START is part of European Researchers’ Night, a Europe-wide public event, which displays the diversity of research and its impact on citizens’ daily lives in fun, inspiring ways. This year will see more than 50 events across 25 countries around Europe.

This free event, hosted in partnership with Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and ADAPT, the SFI Research Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology, invites visitors to take an up-close look at the fascinating research that is shaping our world, explore solutions to society’s biggest problems, and learn about cutting-edge thinking through debates, interactive workshops, screenings and much more.

In Trinity’s historic Front Square, and at a number of other locations around campus and Dublin city, visitors will be invited to contribute to live research experiments and join workshops dealing with a range of topics, from digital health tech to the psychology of decision-making and from energy use to global migration.

Key highlights include:

THINKIN: Big Brother is Watching…So what? Smile, you’re on camera! From taking the bus, to police surveillance and everything in between, we are now being monitored in a way we never have been before. Join this #DiscussAI Think-In for a lively discussion on the increasing use of public surveillance through AI and have your say as researchers from ADAPT link up with others in Malta in an international event. Register at: https://bit.ly/3Bw4tlS

Meetings with Manuscripts: Join the research theme in Manuscript, Print and Book Cultures for a range of activities for all ages, related to Trinity’s outstanding collection of old books, including colouring, games and an opportunity to see if you can read a medieval manuscript more accurately than a computer.

Detective work and the earliest writing in the world: Audience members are invited to help decipher the cuneiform script (the earliest writing in the world) by helping to decode how the language evolved from pictures over time.

RISING: A screening and discussion on how we can all impact climate change, featuring highlights of a performance put on by local Docklands residents at the Lir Academy earlier in 2022, and a panel discussion involving leading Trinity researchers.

Unscramble the past: Children will need to work together to put visual cards in the correct order to write some missing sentences in a story. This interactive game is about the passing of time and the role of archaeologists in investigating the past.

Looking ahead to the event, Professor Wolfgang Schmitt, Dean of Research at Trinity, said: 

“We are proud to be participating in European Researchers’ Night once again this year with START, and look forward to welcoming anyone and everyone with a curious mind to celebrate and learn about research. This event provides a unique opportunity for Trinity to open its doors, help researchers and the public to interact with each other, and bring research to a wider audience.”

For the full programme of events, visit: https://www.start-ern.org/programme 

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