Cafe Conversations May-June 2011

MAY

6 May 8 pm 
WHAT IS LEARNING?
Must education be either teacher-driven or learner-driven? John Dewey describes an ‘aesthetic experience’ for learning and proposes that the most worthwhile education consists of memorable experiences which make a real difference to one’s life. What are your views on what learning and education should be like?
Geoff Hinchcliffe School of Education

Wed 18 May 12.30
CAN WE CONTROL OUR BRAIN ACTIVITY? POSTPONED
Techniques have evolved which allow us to measure the activity of our brain, and evidence suggests that we can use biofeedback methods to control and change our brain activity. The equipment used is becoming more accessible, so is this useful to us? Could we use it to maximise our cognitive performance, or help us to relax? Can it also be used as a treatment method? How would this change our view of ourselves?
Neil Rutterford Social Work & Psychology


Wed 25 May 12.30
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW? PERSPECTIVES FROM A HOSPITAL LAWYER
What are the pros and cons of the principle of confidentiality? Does everyone have a right to make decisions about their medical treatment? How do we resolve disputes about clinical treatment? Come meet a medical law specialist to discuss these topics. John-Paul Garside
School of Medicine

28 May 3 pm
THE VALUES REVOLUTION: WHY EVERYTHING COMES DOWN TO THE VALUES YOU HOLD
In politics, in the workplace, when making major personal decisions, the values you hold dear determine what you do. Often people and organisations are unaware of their values. This conversation will be about getting clearer about (y)our values using techniques derived from the latest philosophical, psychological and linguistic research. Rupert Read
School of Philosophy

JUNE

Wed 1st June 12.30pm
WWW.UEA.AC.UK/SSF/CUE-EAST/EVENTS
COMMUTE, WORK, COMMUTE, SLEEP... WHAT IS WORK/LIFE BALANCE?
What is the relationship between 'work' and 'life'? Does a 'work/life balance' suggest that when we're working we're not really living? Is work simply the means by which we acquire resources to keep us alive? These are some of the questions we'll discuss, and I'll outline ways in which people thought differently about the relationship between work and life in the past.
Ross Wilson
School of Literature and Creative Writing

Sat 4 June 3 pm
INTRODUCTION TO TRANSLATION
What is involved in translating a piece of writing from one language to another? After a general background to what translation is, we will practice a short translation/adaptation exercise together, either into another language or from English to English.
BJ Epstein School of Literature & Creative Writing Saturday

tba
BIOPLASTICS: WASTE PRODUCT OR GOLD MINE?The food and drink industry generates 12.6 million tonnes of waste per year, more than 10% of UK’s total. Can food waste be used to make ‘bioplastics’ for packaging and other sustainable materials?
Dominique Georget
School of Chemistry TBA

Wed 22 June 3 pm
IMAGINING JUSTICE: WHAT ARE WAR CRIME TRIALS FOR? Lyndsey Stonebridge
School of Literature and Creative Writing