21st April – Mapping the Universe to reveal its dark secrets – Dr Steve Cunnington
Cosmologist Dr Steve Cunnington from University of Manchester at Jodrell Bank presents April’s Didsbury SciBar.
SciBar Online
When the COVID pandemic hit, we made the leap into fully online events – and we genuinely had no idea what to expect. What happened next surprised us all. Attendance grew, enthusiasm soared, and our little Didsbury SciBar community expanded far beyond Manchester. Over the course of five years, we hosted more than 100 online events, welcomed international audiences, and proved that science can thrive anywhere, even on Zoom.
Once we were able to return to our spiritual home – The Albert Club in Didsbury, Manchester – we kept the best of both worlds. From lockdown through to early 2026, we continued running a hybrid model, livestreaming our in‑person talks so our wider community could stay connected.
However, with online participation naturally falling in recent months, we’re taking a step back to rethink the format. We’re not retiring SciBar Online – far from it. We’re simply exploring ways to make it more sustainable, effective and enjoyable for both audiences and speakers.
We fully expect to host occasional online‑only events, special digital sessions, and potentially a refreshed online programme. Watch this space.
In the meantime, you can revisit a selection of our favourite online talks on our YouTube channel, featuring fantastic speakers, great questions, and the occasional charming lockdown‑era glitch.
If you have questions, ideas, or feedback about the future of SciBar Online, drop us an email – or find us on Facebook and Bluesky. We’d love to hear from you.
17th March- Fading Fertility – Dr Michael Carroll
Dr Michael Carroll returns to presents March’s Didsbury SciBar to discuss the global decline in total fertility rates.
17th February – Microbiome of the Skin – Prof Andrew McBain
Prof Andrew McBain from University of Manchester discusses the vast number of microorganisms that exist in the human and external environment, and their diverse activities, many of which are beneficial to human skin.
20th January – Thomas Paine & The Age Of Reason – Paul Fitzgerald
Paul Fitzgerald explores the extraordinarily dramatic life and revolutionary ideas of Thomas Paine, one of history’s most neglected heroes of democracy, science and freethinking.
16th December – 3D Printing. Is it the future of manufacturing? – Dr James Wingham
Dr James Wingham from Manchester Metropolitan University presents at Didsbury SciBar in December 2024.
18th November – Stretched to breaking point. When is this a good thing for Polymer Materials? – Dr Niamh Fox
Dr Niamh Fox discusses Polymer Materials at Didsbury SciBar in November 2024.
Blue Marble: How we first saw the whole Earth – Prof Robert Poole
The Apollo lunar programme of 1968-72 brought the first photos of the Earth from space. How were those pictures taken in pre-digital days?
16th September – OSIRIS-REX: The journey to Bennu and back – Dr Sarah Crowther
Dr Sarah Crowther, Research fellow at University of Manchester, Dept of Earth and Environmental Sciences discusses the OSIRIS-REX mission at Didsbury SciBar in September 2024.
19th August – How Your Home Affects Your Health – Mark Thompson
Mark Thompson from getenergysavvy.info returns to present at SciBar in August 2024.
15th July – Standing Up To Sepsis – Dr Stephen Katona
Can an ordinary blood pressure machine be used by health professionals and the public to exclude sepsis and several other serious conditions? Dr Stephen Katona presents…