Selected Lectures on Science and Engineering
in the Boston Area

Both these URLs point to the correct files:
http://www.BostonScienceLectures.com
http://www.BostonScienceandEngineeringLectures.com

Boston supports a pretty impressive culture of lectures and lecture-like events (conferences, unconferences, panel discussions, debates, symposia, festschrifts, workshops, poster sessions, mini-courses, roundtables, exhibitions, tech jams, demos, tours, meetups, etc.).   This list filters out a selection intended to be of interest to science and technology buffs. The idea is both to advertise specific events and convey a general sense of where science and engineering is right now -- what the people doing the work are talking about.   However, please note that this list is no sense comprehensive, and selection criteria are entirely subjective.

Blue boxes represent events advertised as child-friendly; pink boxes, multi-day events; the digit(s) at the very end of each item can be ignored.

There are two routes to this list. The first you see before you.  You can also subscribe to a weekly schedule.  Do note that this landscape is highly volatile: Important lectures appear and important details change at the last minute.  Plus I make the occasional error.  All in all I strongly urge you to doublecheck the "Details" link before you head out.

Please let me know if I ought to be monitoring somebody not on this list.

I would appreciate your informing people with compatible interests about this list.



-- Fred Hapgood

Email Website Last update: 09.0948 Archives Sources Other lists and sites Online Video

Selected Repeating Events: Exhibitions & Tours
Selected Groups, Clubs, Societies, & Meetups
Selected New England Museums

Tuesday, March 9

Noon - 1:15p.   "How and Why We Sleep: When and If It's Up to Us."   Orfeu M. Buxton.   HMS:  Minot Room, Countway Library, 10 Shattuck St.   Details.   9

Noon - 2p.   "The Creation and Use of Ecological Space."   Steward Pickett.   MIT:  E14-633.   Details & Abstract.   9

12:30p.   "Overcoming Systemic Resistance to Generativity in Science."   A Berkman Luncheon.   John Wilbanks.   Webcast details.   Podcast details.   RSVP required for lunch.   Harvard Law School: Berkman Center for the Internet and Society, 23 Everett St, 2nd Flr.   Details & Abstract.  9

1:30 - 6p.   "Mobile Madness and the Future of Computing."   Microsoft New England Research and Development Center, One Memorial Drive.   Registration required.   Details & Abstract.   9

1:30 - 3p.   "Tour of the Genzyme Center."   Registration required.   Details.   9

4p.   "Transportation in Contemporary Society."   Joseph Sussman.   MIT:  3-270.   Details.   9

4p.   "The Path to 10nm."   Hans Stork, CTO, Applied Materials.   MIT:  34-101.   Details & Abstract.   9

6:30p.   "Dynamic Legged Robots at Boston Dynamics."   Gabriel M. Nelson, Lead Robotics Engineer, Boston Dynamics.   Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering:   Milas Hall, Auditorium, Olin Way, Needham.   Details.   9

7p.   Panel discussion of This Will Change Everything: Ideas That Will Shape the Future.   It appears that panelists will include contributors Dimitar Sasselov, Neil Gershenfeld, Irene Pepperberg, Frank Wilczek, Seth Lloyd & Sherry Turkle.   A booksigning will follow.   Harvard Coop, 3rd level.   More on the book.   Details.   9

7p.   "How Does the Wiring in our Brains Lead to Complex Behaviors?"   A Science by the Pint presentation.   Florian Engert.   Redline restaurant and bar, Harvard Square, 59 JFK St., Cambridge.   Details.   9

7:30p.   "Facing the Complexity of Health Care."   Atul Gawande.   BC:  McGuinn Hall 121  Details.   9

7:30p.   "The Self-Medicating Caterpillar."   Michael Singer.   Harvard:  MCZ 101, 26 Oxford St.   Details.   9

Wednesday, March 10

1p.   "Semantic Guidance of Eye Movements in Real-World Scenes."   Marc Pomplun.   BWH:  Visual Attention Lab, 64 Sidney St., Suite 170, Cambridge.   Details .   Abstract.   0

4p.   "From Soup to Wires--From Genome to Connectome."   Michael Huerta.   The Human Connectome Project.  Harvard:  Maxwell Dworkin G-115, 33 Oxford St.   Details.   0

4p.   "Reconstruction and Analysis of Dynamic Shapes."   Daniel Vlasic.   Tufts:  Halligan 106.   Details & Abstract.   0

4p.   "Geometry and the Imagination (with applications)."   Benson Farb.   BC:  McGuinn 121.   Details.   0

4:15 - 5:30p.   "Living in Exponential Times."   Vikram Mahidhar.   MIT:  E40 - 298.   Details.   0

4:30 - 6:30p.   "Fueling Design Innovation."   Barry Kudrowitz.   MIT:  E14 - 633.   Details & Abstract.   0

5:30 - 8:30p.   "The Search for a Unifying Theory of Learning in Minds, Brains, Machines, and Beyond."   Joshua Tenenbaum.   MIT Club of Boston:  Registration required.   Details & Abstract.   0

6p.   "Digital Governance."   A panel discussion.   JFK Institute of Politics:  JFK Jr. Forum.   Details & Abstract.   0

6:30 - 8:30p.   "Mass Innovation Nights."  Charles River Museum of Industry, 154 Moody St, Waltham.   Details.   0

7p.   "How to Make (Almost) Anything."   Neil Gershenfeld.   Center for Bits and Atoms.   Museum of Science, Cahners Theater.   Details & Abstract.   0

Thursday, Wednesday, March 11

3p.   "Soft Robots by Design."   Gary Leisk.   Tufts:  Anderson Hall, Nelson Auditorium.   Details.   1

4p.   "Imitation Learning, Inverse Optimal Control and Purposeful Prediction."   Drew Bagnell.   The Robotics Institute.   MIT:  Stata Center (32) 155.   Details.  00

4 - 6p.   "Securing the Pseudo-Commons: International Issues for Cybersecurity."   James Lewis.   MIT:  Stata Center (32) D-463.   Details & Abstract.   0

4:30p.   "Cooking and Human Uniqueness: How a Cultural Innovation Changed Our Biology and Cognition."   Richard Wrangham.   Harvard:  Yenching Auditorium, 2 Divinity Ave.   Details.   1

5:30p.   "An Ocean of Air."   Jessica Green.   Green Lab.   Harvard Center for the Environment.   Details.   1

6p.   "Residential Energy Audits."   Adam Hirsch and Dave Boettcher from Next Step Living.   MIT:  4-370.   Details & Abstracts.   1

7p.   "The Plausibility of Life: Resolving Darwin's Dilemma."   Marc Kirschner.   Kirschner Lab.   Harvard Museum of Natural History:  Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford St.   Details & Abstract.   1

8p.   "Exoplanets and the Search for Habitable Worlds."   Sara Seager.   Harvard-Smithsonian center for Astrophysics:  Phillips Auditorium, 60 Garden St.   Details & Abstract.   1


Friday, March 12 - Saturday, March 13.   "New Technologies and Interdisciplinary Research on Religion."   Harvard:  Tsai Auditorium, CGIS South, 1730 Cambridge St.   Details.   Schedule.   2

Friday, March 12

9 - Noon.   "Significant National (and International) Developments on Transmission and Renewables."   A Restructuring Roundtable.   Registration required.   Foley Hoag:  Seaport West, 155 Seaport Boulevard.   Details.   2

Noon.   "Making a Scene in the Brain."   Russell Epstein.   Epstein Lab.   MIT:  46-3002 (Singleton Auditorium).   Details.   2

Noon.   "Transalpine Tunnels in Switzerland."   Herbert Einstein.   MIT:  1-150.   Details & Abstract.   2

12:30 - 2p.   "Reflexive Architecture Machines."   Background exhibition.   Omar Khan.   MIT:  3-133.   Details.   2

3p.   "Photonic Integration Technologies and Systems for Moving Beyond 1TbE."   Daniel Blumenthal.   Harvard:  Pierce 307, 29 Oxford St.   Details & Abstract.   2

6:15p.   "Extreme Sailing."   Rich Wilson.   SitesALIVE.   Adaptive sailing technologies, underwater robotics, and Nautical Collections.   "The Lazy Jacks" will entertain.   MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave.   Details & Abstract.   2

Monday, Wednesday, March 15

12:30p.   "The Future of Architecture in a Warming Planet."   Norbert Lechner.   MIT:  7-431.   Details & Abstract.   5

6p.   "Auto-ID and Sensing: Contrarian Views."   A panel discussion.   Registration required.   MIT:  Stata Center (32) 144, 32 Vassar St.   Details & Abstract.   5

7p.   "Best In Show."   A Science on the Screen event.   Intro by Nicholas Dodman.   Coolidge Theater, 290 Harvard St, Brookline. Details.   5

Tuesday, March 16

4p.   "Modeling Human Mobility."   Marta Gonzalez.   MIT:  3-270.   Details.   6

5:30p.   "The New Industrial Revolution: Why Atoms are the New Bits."   Chris Anderson, Wired Magazine.   Background reading.   MIT:  Media Lab Extension Building, 6th flr (E14-633).   Details.   6

6:30 - 9p.   "Internet Video: Opportunities."   A panel discussion.   Registration required.   MIT:  E51-145.   Details & Abstract.   6

6:30p.   "Earthquakes: What Causes Them; What Can We Learn from Them?"   Colleen Dalton.   Belmont Media Center studio.   Details.   6

7:30p.   "SuperStars: The Biggest, Hottest, Brightest, and Most Explosive Stars in the Milky Way."   David Aguilar.   Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics:  Phillips Auditorium, 60 Garden St.  Details.   6

Wednesday, March 17

12:30p.   "The Developmental Origins of Cancer."   Karin Michels.   HSPH:  Building FXB G-13.   Details.   7

Thursday, March 18

12:30 - 5:30p.   "Tour of Branch River Plastics."   Tour meets at and leaves from MIT's Stata Center (32 Vassar St).  Details.   Abstract.   8

TBA.   "Rich Photography on a Budget."   Sam Hasinoff.   Tufts:  Halligan 111.   Details & Abstract.   8

4 - 6p.   "Design Everything by Yourself."   Takeo Igarashi.   Harvard:  Maxwell Dworkin Bldg G-125.   Details & abstract.   8

6p.   "Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy."   Melissa Milgrom.   Harvard Museum of Natural History.   Registration required.   Details.   8

7:30p.   "Searching for Planets with Kepler."   Andrea Dupree.   An Observatory Night lecture: observing from the observatory roof if weather permits.   Note that these events are very popular.   Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.:  Phillips Auditorium, 60 Garden St.  Details & Abstract.   8


March 19 - 21st.   "Libreplanet Conference."   Registration required.   Harvard Science Center.   Details.   8

Friday, March 19

9:30 - 12:30p.   "ITIG DigiCamp."   A half day unconference on library technology.   Wheaton College Library. Norton, Mass.   Details.   9

9:30a & 1:30p.   "Physics Modeling software workshops."   A COMSOL product demo.   7 New England Executive Park, Conference Room A, Burlington.   Registration required.   Details.   9

Sunday, March 21

2p.   "Zombie Insects and Disgusted Humans: How Parasites Affect Behavior."   David Hughes.   Background reading.   Harvard Museun of Natural History.   Details.   1

Monday, March 22

Noon.   "Bridging Neuroscience and GPU Computing to Build General Purpose Computer Vision."   Nicholas Pinto.   Harvard:  Initiative in Innovative Computing, 33 Oxford St.   Details & Abstract.   2

5:30 - 7:15p.   "Techno-fixes for Climate Change and Sustainable Energy - is There a Catch?"   Miquel Mu𮸠Cabr纯a>.   Lincoln Lab cafeteria, 244 Wood St., Lexington.   Details & Abstract.   2

7p.   "Healthy Oceans, Healthy Humans."   Kathleen Firth, Assistant Director, Center for Health and the Global Environment, Harvard Medical School.   New England Aquarium:  Harborside Learning Lab.   Details.   2

7p.   "The Afterlives of Artificial Life."   Stefan Helmreich.   RSVP required.   Microsoft New England Research and Development Center, One Memorial Dr.   Details.   2

Tuesday, March 23

12:30p.   "The Why in DIY Book Scanning."   A Berkman Luncheon.   Daniel Reetz.   Background reading.   Webcast details.   Podcast details.   RSVP required for lunch.   Harvard Law School: Berkman Center for the Internet and Society, 23 Everett St, 2nd Flr.   Details & Abstract.  0

Wednesday, March 24

6p.   "The Large Millimeter Telescope."   F. Peter Schloerb.   Lincoln Lab Cafeteria, Wood St., Lexington.   Details & Abstract.   4

7p   "Beyond Belief: Science, Religion, Morality, and the Arts."   Steven Pinker and Rebecca Goldstein.   Harvard Hillel, Beren Hall, 52 Mt. Auburn St.   Details & Abstract.   4

Thursday, March 25

6p.   "Evolution of Brain Aging and Cognitive Decline."   Bruce Yankner.   Yankner Lab.   Harvard Museum of Natural History:  Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford St.   Details & Abstract.   5

6:30p.   "The Nanocanary: A Living Biosensor."   Joel M. Therrien.   Teradyne, Inc., Building 500, River Park Drive, North Reading.   Details & Abstract.   5


Friday, March 26 & Saturday, March 27; 8 - 6p.   "Boston First Regional Robotics Competition."   BU:  Agganis Arena, 925 Commonwealth Ave.   Details.   6

Friday, March 26

4 - 6p.   "When it Comes to Understanding Human-Level Intelligence and Consciousness, the Blue Brain Project is a Prodigious Waste of Time."   Selmer Bringsjord .   BU:  Rm 524, 745 Commonwealth Ave.   Details.   Abstract.   6

7 - 9:30p.   "Bizarre Animals: An Evening of Contemporary Art Interventions."   Organized by Carlin Wing.   Harvard Museum of Natural History, Oxford St.   Details & Abstract.   6


Monday, March 29 - Tuesday, March 30.   "International Conference on Computational Photography."   MIT:  E14 - 6th flr.   Details.   9

Tuesday, March 30

12:30p.   "The Values of Technology"   A Berkman Luncheon.   Michael Slaby.   Webcast details.   Podcast details.   RSVP required for lunch.   Harvard Law School: Berkman Center for the Internet and Society, 23 Everett St, 2nd Flr.   Details & Abstract.  0

4p.   "Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Why Chemomechanical Design of Materials is Critical to Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure."   Krystyn Van Vliet.   Van Vliet Group.   MIT:  3-270.   Details.   0

Wednesday, March 31

7p.   "From Orchids To Octopi: An Evolutionary Love Story."   Opening.   March 31 - May 2.   Central Square Theater.   Details.   1

Thursday, April 1

Noon.   "Current and Future Regulation of Stem Cell Research."   A forum.   Harvard Law School, Pound Hall, Room 332.   Details.   1

4p.   "At Saturn: Tripping the Light Fantastic."   Carolyn Porco.   CICLOPS.   Radcliffe Gymnasium, 10 Garden Street, Radcliffe Yard.   Details & Abstract.   1

Friday, April 2

8:30a.   "The Harvard Yard Truffle and Other Observations on the Importance of Urban Soil Microbes."   Ben Wolfe.   Harvard Center for the Environment.   Details.   2

Monday, April 5

Noon.   "Super-Earths and Neptunes from the Eta-Earth Survey."   Andrew Howard.   Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics:  Pratt conference room, PG-04, 60 Garden St.   Details.   5

7p.   "Hermit Crab Shell-Choice Behavior: Finding a Dream House on a Small Tropical Island."   Randi Rotjan.   Rotjan Lab.   RSVP requested.   New England Aquarium:  Harborside Learning Lab.   Details & Abstract.   5

Wednesday, April 7

6:30p.   "Science and Creativity."   Marcia Bartusiak and Lisa Randall.   First Parish Church, 3 Church St, Cambridge.   Details.   7

Sunday, April 11

2p.   Peter Del Tredici will read from and discuss his more recent book Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast.   Harvard Museum of Natural History.   Details.  00

Monday, April 12

7p.   "Basking with Humpbacks: Tracking Threatened Marine Life in New England Waters."   Todd McLeish.   New England Aquarium:  Harborside Learning Lab.   Details & Abstract.   2

Tuesday, April 13

4p.   "Environmental Impacts of Aviation."   Ian Waitz.   MIT:  3-270.   Details.   3

6:30p.   "Engagement and Deixis: Learning from People and Applying to Humanoid Robots."   Candy Sidner.   Background reading.   RSVP requested.   TBA.   Details & Abstract.   3

7p.   Robert Whitaker will read from and discuss his most recent book Anatomy of an Epidemic:Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America.   Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave.   Details & Abstract.   3

Thursday, April 15

6p.   "The Evolutionary and Genetic Basis of Human Reproduction."   David Page.   Harvard Museum of Natural History:  Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford St.   Details & Abstract.   5

Friday, April 16

4 - 6p.   "The Anchored Loops Hypothesis: An Ecological Approach to the Emergence of Primary Visual Perception."   Daniel Pollen.   BU:  Rm 525, 745 Commonwealth Ave.   Details.   6


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