The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences continued a tradition begun in the late 1990s at the Irregardless Café Tuesday evening.
Duncan Dallas spoke on philosophy in British cafes until his death. The talks, called Café Philosophique, aimed to spread the study of philosophy to the general public by hosting prominent philosophy speakers in British eateries. Scientists caught wind of the idea and began hosting scientific talks across Europe, according to event organizer Katey Ahmann.
Café Scientifique took hold in the United States in the early 2000s, taking on the name Science Café. The museum in downtown Raleigh started hosting Science Café talks in 2006. Their events, held monthly at either Irregardless or Tir Na Nog Pub and Restaurant, cover a wide range of topics.
“We do all different topics in science. They are cool topics; we can go anywhere with it,” Ahmann said.
Jeffrey Stumpf, a Ph.D. in genetics and postdoctoral researcher at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, spoke to an audience of 130 at the Irregardless Café on Martin St. about genetic research in the 21st century.
Stumpf kicked off the event with an overview of how researchers came about understanding DNA structure and replication. Opening remarks were short, though, since all café events are meant to have a question-and-answer focus.
Attendees asked Stumpf complex and intricate genetics questions once given the opportunity.
Irregardless’s staff hustled to serve the packed restaurant.
“The restaurant is rarely this crowded on a Tuesday evening,” Irregardless employee Jessica Kleekamp said.
Families and scientist-types ate and drank throughout the event. The bar was wet, and the kitchen doors swung wildly as servers scurried in and out while waiting tables.
Museum marketing coordinator Steve Bopson said café talks have a large following.
“We have more than 50 percent new people tonight, and that’s a good thing,” Bopson said. “Our crowd is loyal, but it’s nice to see so many new faces.”
Although Science Café organizers have yet to hold an on-campus event, they are hoping to do so soon. However, N.C. State professors have spoken at cafes before.
On May 17,Edward Breitschwerdt, a professor of internal medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine, covered Bartonella, a pathogen that was recently discovered to cause several serious illnesses in humans.
Including Breitschwerdt, 24 of the 51 speakers since 2006 were representatives of N.C. State.
The next event is scheduled for July 19 at Tir Na Nog. Orrin Pilkey will talk about and then take questions regarding global climate change. The full schedule ofScience Café events is available at the Museum of Natural Sciences website.
The next event is scheduled for July 19 at Tir Na Nog. Orrin Pilkey will speak and answer questions about global climate change. The full schedule of Science Café events is available at the Museum of Natural Sciences website.
Fire is the topic up for discussion in August, according to Ahmann.
