Upcoming Event
Previous Events
Upcoming Event
Click here to register.
Meanwhile, check the Cafe Sci Facebook Page and the Facebook Group for updates.
Previous Events
Details of previous and upcoming Cafe Sci Dubai events
Cafe Sci Dubai events are for science nerds and for science novices. Everyone's welcome. It's a friendly and casual vibe. The audience is of all ages (18+) and of all nationalities and professions.
We start with an introduction from a guest speaker, followed by a break to replenish our coffee mugs and grab a snack. After that the floor is open for debates, discussions, and questions. It doesn't matter if you don't have a deep knowledge of science.
Everyone with an open and curious mind is welcome to join.
Click here to view pics from some of our past events.
The Edge of the Universe
Friday 26 April 2013 5:00pm-6:30pm
How big is the observable universe? What is it made of? What lies beyond it? Was there a time before the Big Bang? Could space have unseen dimensions? Join us as we explore the latest discoveries about the edge of space and the composition of the universe.
De-extinction and creating new species
Friday 29 June 2013 5:00pm-6:30pm
We are now on the threshold of reviving extinct species and re-introducing them to the wild. Can it be done responsibly? Should it be done at all? Join us as we discuss the science behind de-extinction and debate the ethical and environmental repercussions of the creation of species by humans.
Top 10 mysteries in
Science
Friday 30 August 2013 5:00pm-6:30pm
What are dark matter and dark energy? What is the wellspring of creativity? What is consciousness? What is humour? What came before the Big Bang? How will the Universe end? What's inside a Black Hole? Join us, as we discuss these and other questions that have baffled the best minds on the planet.
Inventions that will change the world
Friday 25 October 2013 5:00pm-6:30pm
Venue: Meydan Theatre Cafe
In the history of humanity, the 20th century was unprecedented in scientific invention and discovery. How will the 21st century change our lives? What impact will 3D printing, nanotechnology, quantum computing, and genetic engineering have on what it means to be human? Join us, as we discuss the most exciting inventions of 2o13.
The Mars One Project
Friday 30 May 2014 5:00pm-6:30pm
Venue: BiOrganic Cafe, TECOM
Mars One will establish the first human settlement on Mars in 2023. Join us as we discuss this next giant leap for humankind! Our guest speaker is Dubai resident, Mikolaj Zielinksi, who is in the Mars One shortlist to be one of the first settlers on the Red Planet.
Exploring the Universe
Saturday 1 November 2014 4:30pm-6:30pm
Venue: Plantation Lounge | Sofitel, JBR
The universe is vast and filled with mysteries. We’ve been wondering about the night sky since the dawn of time. These are exciting times for Astronomy. Join us as we talk about the wonders of the cosmos and discuss the implications of UAE’s new $30 million Al Marsad Space Observatory.
Free entry by registration Click here to register for tickets
The Technological Singularity
2015
Can we create artificial intelligence? Can we reverse engineer the brain? Can we upload our consciousness to computers? Can we interface with artificial reality? Can we overcome death? Join us, as we discuss whether the concept of technological singularity is overoptimistic hype or a soon-to-be reality.
Human Brain-to-Brain Interface
Friday 31 May 2013 5:00pm-6:30pm
Now that rat brains have been connected via the internet, it's only a matter of time before human brains link up directly in cyberspace. Join us as we discuss the human brain, the meaning of consciousness, and the consequences of uploading the mind and storing it digitally.
Science and Pseudo-science
Friday 26 July 2013 7:00pm-8:30pm
What’s the difference between astrology and astronomy? Why did alchemy give way to chemistry? Are ghosts real? Can psychics communicate with the dead? Are palmistry and crystal gazing a science? What do we make of homeopathy and acupuncture? What's the role of the placebo effect? Join us as we discuss these and more.
Renewable Energy Sustainable Planet
Friday 27 September 2013 5:00pm-6:30pm
How can we live sustainable lives? What is the science behind climate change? What are the consequences of a hotter or colder earth? What can we do to make a difference? How important is it to recycle? Join us, as we discuss the implications of living on a planet with limited resources.
Terraforming, Astrobiology, Exoplanets
Friday 25 April 2014 5:00pm-6:30pm
Venue: BioOrganic Cafe, TECOM
How do we transform planets to adapt them to our needs ? What is the likelihood of finding extra-terrestrial life? What will it look like? What is the technology behind the search for exo planets? Join us, as we discuss the implications of leaving planet Earth and colonising other worlds.
Neuro-Education:
The Brain and Learning
Friday 26 September 2014 5:00pm-6:30pm
Venue: BiOrganic Cafe, TECOM
Neuroeducation is the conflation of Psychology, Pedagogy and Neuroscience. We have learnt more about the human brain in the last 5 years than we have in all the previous centuries combined. Brain mapping and brain scanning technologies are growing at an exponential rate. Join us as we discuss its impact on learning and education.
The Science behind Intelligent Optimism
Friday 9 January 2015 | 5:00-6:30pm
Venue: Urban Bistro, CNN bldg, Media City
The last thing we need is blind, lazy, and uninformed optimism. It’s much more useful to be optimistic based on reason and by facing facts. Intelligent optimism is about being thrilled, excited, and optimistic about science, technology, and the future in an informed and rational way. Join us, as we discuss the science behind Intelligent Optimism.
Jupiter at Opposition
Friday 6 February 2015 6:30pm-9:00pm
Venue: Next to Jebel Ali Equestrian Club
You are invited to a stargazing party on 6th February 7:00pm-9:00pm. It’s a special day, as Jupiter is at opposition and is at the closest it will be for the next four years. Don’t miss this unique event to ponder on the mysteries of the universe and gaze through the telescope at some its wonders
Free entry by registration Click here to register for tickets
Meet an Astronaut
Thursday 30 April 2015 6:30pm-7:30pm
Venue: Urban Bistro, CNN Bldg. Media City
You are invited to a special evening with Dr Donald Thomas, who is a NASA Astronaut and a former crew member of the International Space Station. Join us as we talk about life in space, the difficulties of training to be an astronaut, and the future of space exploration.
Entry by registration Click here to register for tickets
The Technological Singularity & A.I.
Friday 26 June 2015 | 7:00-8:30pm
Venue: Urban Bistro, CNN bldg, Media City
Can we create artificial intelligence? Can we reverse engineer the brain? Can we upload our consciousness to computers? Can we interface with artificial reality? Can we overcome death? Join us, as we discuss whether the concept of technological singularity is overoptimistic hype or a soon-to-be reality. Entry by registration Click here to register for tickets
Space Exploration in the UAE
Friday 28 August 2015 | 5:00-6:30pm
Venue: Urban Bistro, CNN bldg, Media City
In the Middle East, the UAE is at the forefront of space exploration. In recent years we’ve seen the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, The Thuraya Space Observatory, and the UAE Mars Mission. Join our guest speaker Emirati space enthusiast, and member of the UAE Mars Mission, Saeed Al Gergawi, as he gives us an outline of the discoveries and developments that await us in the near future.
Free Entry by registration Click here to register for tickets
The Science behind Serious Wonder
Sunday 4th October 2015 12:30pm-1:30pm
Fascinating Fossils
Friday 9th October 2015 4:30pm-5:30pm
Venue: Children's City
What are fossils? How are they different from bones? How do we know how old they are? Where can we find them? How do we extract them? Join Dubai’s pre-eminent fossil hunter, Nirmal Rajah, as he takes us on a scientific journey into the past and delves into the world of dinosaurs and other pre-historic creatures.
Jason Silva | Shots of Awe
Thursday 10 December 2015 | 3:00pm-4:00pm
Venue: Urban Bistro, CNN bldg, Media City
U.S. based SERIOUS WONDER is about the future of technology. Founder, Kevin Russell is obsessed with the future. In this talk he talks about the mission bring people the best in futuristic ideas, technology, robotics, science, consciousness, philosophy, psychology, space travel, transhumanism, longevity and modern design.
2020 Time Capsule Project
Friday 8th January 2016 | 4:30pm-6:00pm
Venue: Urban Bistro, CNN bldg, Media City
Join us for the 2020 Time Capsule Project. The focus is on current & future technologies & the exponential growth of computing, brain-scanning, 3-D printing, genetics, nanotechnology & robotics. The aim is to make an assessment of where we are today in 2015 & where we will be in 2020. We will also be unveiling our very special Time Capsule into which we will be adding gadgets, exemplars of 2015 technology, & our hopes, dreams & aspirations for 2020.
Jason Silva is a media artist, futurist, philosopher, keynote speaker and TV personality. He is also the Emmy nominated host of National Geographic Channel's hit TV series Brain Games, airing in over 100 countries. He is the creator of Shots of Awe, a short-film series of "trailers for the mind" that serve as philosophical espresso shots exploring innovation, technology creativity, futurism and the metaphysics of the imagination.
From Cradle to Grave: The 21st Century Mind
Friday 11th March 2016 | 4:15pm-6:00pm
Venue: Urban Bistro, CNN bldg, Media City
What is a mind? What is the impact of 21st tech on young mind? How is Mind different from Consciousness? How do we effectively treat loss of mind, ie Dementia? Join us and find the answers with our special guest speaker, Baroness Susan Greenfield CBE, who is a British scientist, writer, broadcaster and member of the House of Lords. Specialising in the physiology of the brain, Susan researches the impact of 21st century technologies on the mind, how the brain generates consciousness and novel approaches to neuro diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Radical Lifespan Extension
Wednesday 23rd March 2016 | 5:30pm-7:00pm
Venue: Urban Bistro
How long would you like to live for? What if we could slow down the negative effects of aging? Can we ever eradicate death? Join our guest speaker, Aubrey de Grey, as he talks about how scientific developments in the last few decades have laid the foundation for a new class of medicines: rejuvenation biotechnologies – targeted therapies that apply the principles of regenerative medicine across the entire scope of the damage of aging.
Click here to register.
Accelerating Change & the Future of the Universe
Fri 20 May 2016 | 4:30pm-6:00pm
Venue: Urban Bistro, CNN bldg, Media C
Join U.S.-based writer, and global futurist, John Smart, as we explore deep-learning backed smart agents, and our mediated reality environment. Smart agents are a great example of our accelerating race to Inner Space. Will Space-Time-Energy-Matter (STEM) compression lead all intelligent civilisations to “transcension” of our universe, rather than spacefaring “expansion” within it?
Free Entry by registration Click here to register.
String Theory & Quantum Weirdness
Fri 14 Oct 2016 | 4:30pm-6:00pm
Venue: Urban Bistro, CNN bldg, Media C
Join U.S.-based writer, and global futurist, John Smart, as we explore deep-learning backed smart agents, and our mediated reality environment. Smart agents are a great example of our accelerating race to Inner Space. Will Space-Time-Energy-Matter (STEM) compression lead all intelligent civilisations to “transcension” of our universe, rather than spacefaring “expansion” within it?
Free Entry by registration Click here to register.