It’s no joke: a group of scientists walk into a bar

What have fruit flies ever done for us? Or zebrafish for that matter? How do muscles adapt to exercise? And how do you take a perfect picture from space?

If you’ve ever pondered such matters, fret not. Later this month, the Pint of Science mini-festival will see researchers give informal talks and take part in panel discussions about the mind, body, physics and technology in four Dublin pubs over three evenings.

Many of the free talks have intriguing titles such as “Interstellar alcohol”, “Isaac Newton walks into a gym”, and “Stem cells, biohacking, GM and the future of humans”.

Ireland is one of six countries hosting Pint of Science events this month. The idea is to celebrate the growing interest in science over a “pint of beer, water, something fizzy, or indeed a pint of tea”, says Trinity College Dublin physicist Prof Shane Bergin, who is one of the organisers in Ireland. “Scientists will chat about their areas of interest in the cosy atmosphere of the local pub,” he says. “Such a setting could not be further from the stuffy setting of a lecture theatre – that’s a critical element. It’s the perfect opportunity to hear smart people talk on cool topics, to give their opinions, interact, converse, learn, enthuse, inspire, confuse, annoy.”

Pint of Science runs May 19-21 in Dublin pubs The Stag's Head, Odessa, 4 Dame Lane and the Mercantile. Sessions free but must be booked at pintofscience.ie