Join us on the first Wednesday of every month!
Next event is 2 October at A Rolling Stone (Note the venue!)

2 October Speakers

“Volcanodad”
by Ben Kennedy

Ben the volcanologist will give you his origin story, as illustrated by an internet Artificial intelligence image generator. Expect the weird and wonderful as AI struggles with what volcano science actually looks like.

Ben is a Professor in Volcanology at UC and won this years prime ministers science communication prize. He has had all sorts of volcano adventures including pogosticking on top of an erupting volcano in Vanuatu with a Japanese film crew.

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“The scandals behind nursery rhymes”
by Dr Rie Natalenko

Nursery rhymes may seem innocent, but these twisted and bizarre stories show how harmless rhymes often had their origins in violence and scandal. This is the story behind two of them…

Dr Rie Natalenko has a doctorate in Creative Arts (screenwriting), and has won awards for fiction, poetry and screenwriting. She is also a passionate textile artisan. She has taught all her life in schools, college, university and in the community, and has written books on running craft workshops (Share your Skills) and family history (The Family Memory Project and The Family Message Book). She also loves speaking on cruise ships and teaching writing and yarn crafts. She is now a full-time writer, speaker, and educator, and is the editor of Yarn magazine.

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“Better Together: The Art and Science of Belonging”
by Natasha Zimmerman

Weaving together the compelling psychology research on belonging with her own stories of (dis)connection, Natasha will convince you that meaningful relationships are the secret to a longer, happier life. By the end of this talk, you’ll want to call your mother, hug a friend, and talk to strangers. 

Natasha is a connection enthusiast, belongingness researcher, and seasoned facilitator. She completed her PhD in organisational psychology at University of Canterbury and she loves finding the juicy intersection of science, humanism, and practical application. Natasha is also the founder and creative force behind Unchatter, an organisation focused on bringing meaningful connection to the world. When she’s not lost in a deep conversation, you might find Natasha looking at the moon, organising things for fun, tramping gleefully, reading poetry, or baking a ridiculous cake.