Pigeon treadmills and champagne physics in this lively exploration of science and curiosity
Part of UCL200, the bicentennial celebrations of London’s oldest university, Cosmic UCL sets out to explore both the wonder of science, and UCL’s contribution to it. A series of seven-minute talks from scientists working at or associated with UCL mixes in a healthy dose of humour and a splash of music, exploring curiosity across biology, chemistry, physics and engineering. It’s a stacked line-up of science and entertainment personalities, with both the LHC and the BBC well represented.
Physicist and author Helen Czerski is on hosting duty. Her childlike wonder, combined with incisive problem-solving, makes for a compelling presenter. Czerski’s own talk, on the physics of a champagne cork pop, is a highlight of the evening. High-speed camera footage reveals an oscillating gas layer just after cork ejection – a Helmholtz resonance caused by pressure overcorrection. This is followed by a flash of blue light, as carbon dioxide instantaneously solidifies against the base of the cork under adiabatic expansion. That same visual power carries into particle physicist Jez Butterworth’s segment, capturing the Higgs energy spike with a beautifully simple animated graph. It’s the clearest illustration I’ve seen of a very complicated phenomenon.
Other speakers take a more personal angle, such as geneticist Adam Rutherford’s reminiscences about early research projects: nipping down to the local Budgens for sweetcorn, which (once mouldy) provided the ideal breeding ground for his stalk-eyed flies. His subsequent discussion of symmetry in mate selection is both informative and funny. Space medic Kevin Fong’s attempt to become an ESA astronaut – getting down to the final 91 applicants at the age of 50 – is engaging.
The two non-scientist acts have a difficult task, as the audience is undeniably here to learn. Nevertheless, their intelligent takes on comedy and music win the crowd over despite this structural mismatch. John-Luke Roberts’ character jokes – dressed as Chaucer and speaking Ye Olde English – make for an exciting piece of alternative comedy. Musician Gecko’s playfully intelligent lyrics even manage to get a sing-along going from the crowd.
If this sounds disjointed, it’s because it is. The purpose of Cosmic UCL never quite settles. This is responsible for a disappointing conclusion, with Olympian Christine Ohuruogu’s nervous talk feeling more like a school speech day (albeit with upgraded guest), than a professional production. The Sky at Night’s Dame Maggie Aderin underwhelms, with an ambitious title (‘Life, The Universe, and Everything’) that fails to get its teeth into the science it gestures towards.
But Cosmic UCL’s charm makes this unevenness easy to overlook, as the speakers’ enthusiasm propels the show forward. An initially awkward introduction by Czerski hits its stride when she turns to a study involving pigeon head-bobbing, and a very small treadmill. There’s something profoundly special about a group of scientists geeking out and cracking jokes to an appreciative audience: it feels like the world’s most intelligent pub lock-in.
Programming a public science talk is notoriously difficult, and creators Cosmic Shambles have made things harder by integrating variety acts. Breaking up the show in this way proves effective, and the performers are well-chosen. Whilst some speakers fall into the trap of skimming over their most interesting ideas, even in these moments the show never loses its sense of fun. Cosmic UCL is a valuable opportunity to celebrate science in all its glory, while learning plenty along the way.
This is a one-off event, but UCL200 continues with a range of events throughout the year here. Cosmic Shambles have a number of events taking place across the country here.