Agile Rabbit

Agile Rabbit

Agile Rabbit (www.agile-rabbit.com) is a platform that provides special events for the South-West and beyond to focus on ideas, global affairs and the natural and scientific world. The events are set in contrasting venues across the South-West to provide quirky experiences, which welcome conversation. There is a monthly talk and discussion at Exeter Phoenix, and other special events elsewhere including IntoBodmin and Marine Theatre Lyme Regis. The events include panel discussions, debates, film screenings, and performances. This diversity of experiences sets the tone of Agile Rabbit as inclusive, emphasising our key theme: That cutting edge thinking can be at the centre of everyday life. Origin Lapin Agile is a cabaret in Montmartre, Paris. At the turn of the twentieth century artists, thinkers, and scientists would gather to discuss ideas and socialise.

  1. Alan Puttock | Beavers on the River Otter

    JUL 24

    Alan Puttock | Beavers on the River Otter

    After near extinction and years of conservation efforts across the UK, the government announced earlier this year that beavers are finally being released back into the wild! Though to the beavers along the River Otter in East Devon, this is old news. Since they were first spotted in 2013, they have made a successful return across the catchment. The River Otter beaver Trial led by Devon Wildlife Trust was the first wild licenced beaver reintroduction project in England. Alan Puttock from the University of Exeter guides a stroll along the famous River Otter to search for signs of beavers. Hear about Alan’s research on nature-based solutions, landscape restoration and the key role beavers play in preserving biodiversity, improving water quality, and reducing drought and flooding. This walk was funded by Devon Community Foundation. ALAN PUTTOCK Geography University of Exeter Alan Puttock is an environmental scientist and ecohydrologist. In his research, he takes on an interdisciplinary approach to investigate nature-based solutions and landscape restoration. His current work focuses on natural flood management solutions to create more resilient landscapes as well as maximising the benefits linked to landscape restoration. Alan is a lecturer in Nature-based Solutions at The Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW). CREWW conducts research into some of the most pressing environmental challenges in our time – namely how we can manage our precious natural resources in ways which are sustainable, innovative and resilient. https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/22145-alan-puttock/about.

    37 min
  2. Dr Thomas Smith | Understanding Wildfires

    JUL 9

    Dr Thomas Smith | Understanding Wildfires

    From California to Australia, Wales to Bodmin Moor, news of wildfires has increasingly flickered across our screens. Not only do these fires dramatically change our landscapes, they also release huge amounts of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere. But what constitutes a wildfire? And how does it affect wildlife and humans? Dr Thomas Smith from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences visits Exeter to share his experience of chasing wildfires across four continents. Thomas is an environmental geographer who specialises in pyrogeography – the study of fire on earth. Together, we explore the science of wildfires, what they can tell us about the drivers, the impacts of environmental change, and the implications to our lives and broader society. THOMAS SMITH Associate Professor in Environmental Geography Department of Geography and Environment The London School of Economics and Political Sciences Dr Thomas Smith is a wildfire scientist who specialises in understanding wildfire behaviour and smoke emissions. He is an Associate Professor in Environmental Geography at the London School of Economics where he teaches courses on climate change and the relationship between science and society.

    40 min
  3. Christina Lamb | Years of Living Dangerously

    MAY 2

    Christina Lamb | Years of Living Dangerously

    The chief foreign correspondent of The Sunday Times and bestselling author of ‘I am Malala’ and ‘The Girl From Aleppo’ visits the South West. Christina Lamb’s work is defined by determination and curiosity to vividly convey life in areas of danger and conflict. How else would the rest of us know about the injustice, the violence, but also the hope that can be found in those dark places? What is the point of bearing witness to the atrocities of war? What difference can journalism make? As one of Britain’s leading foreign correspondents, Christina Lamb has never wavered from giving a voice to the unsung heroes of war, often women like the cyclists in Kabul, the Zimbabwean lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, and the famous Malala. In this talk, Christina Lamb speaks about the defining moments of her career as an author and journalist: travelling with the Mujahidin, the resistance fighting Soviet occupation in Afghanistan during the Cold War, being in a 360 Taliban ambush, and surviving a bus bombing at an assassination attempt on Pakistan’s Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. After 38 years of reporting from the most dangerous places on earth, Christina shares why she still goes to war, asking what we can learn about humans, conflict, and resilience. CHRISTINA LAMB Author and Foreign Correspondent Christina Lamb is one of Britain’s leading foreign journalists as well as a bestselling author. Her despatches with the Afghan mujaheddin fighting the Soviet Union saw her named Young Journalist of the Year at the age of 22. She has since reported everywhere from Iraq to Ukraine, Israel to Zimbabwe and been awarded Foreign Correspondent of the Year seven times as well as Europe’s top war reporting prize, the Prix Bayeux, the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from both the Society of Editors and Women in Journalism as well as the Chesney Gold Medal for promoting the understanding of war, previously awarded to Henry Kissinger and Winston Churchill. She has always particularly focused on what war does to women, and her book Our Bodies, Their Battlefields about sexual violence in conflict was described by leading historian Antony Beevor as ‘the most powerful book’ he had ever read and recently recommended by Queen Camilla in a speech. She has written ten books including co-authoring the international bestseller I Am Malala. She is a Global envoy for UN Education Cannot Wait, Honorary Fellow of University College Oxford, on the board of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, and an Associate of the Imperial War Museum and was awarded an OBE in 2013.

    36 min
  4. Joshua Howgego | The Meteorite Hunters

    MAR 10

    Joshua Howgego | The Meteorite Hunters

    In this live event, Joshua Howgego takes us on a rollicking ride through the world of meteorite hunting. Josh’s interest was sparked six years ago when he heard scientists say meteorites are like time capsules that record the history of our solar system. But how do we look for them? Together, we follow the footsteps of scientists, explorers, and hobbyists to uncover more about the world’s rarest rocks and the secrets within them. Josh will helps us piece together an unexpected new history of the solar system. Find out more in Josh's new book: The Meteorite Hunters JOSHUA HOWGEGO Editor New Scientist Magazine Joshua Howgego is a science journalist based in London. Josh originally trained as a chemist and obtained his PhD at the University of Bristol. He also has a degree in science communication from Imperial College London. After having written for numerous titles, including Times Higher Education, SciDev.Net and Nature, he now works as a feature editor at New Scientist magazine, where he covers physical science.

    35 min
  5. Dr Abby Russell and Charlie Kelman | 9 Things You Never Knew About Neurodiversity

    FEB 12

    Dr Abby Russell and Charlie Kelman | 9 Things You Never Knew About Neurodiversity

    Dyslexia isn’t a type of neurodivergence, is it? Neurodiversity means being an autistic adult, right? Does having Tics mean you always shout a lot? What is the purpose of getting diagnosed? Listen to Dr. Abby Russel and Charlie Kelman discuss nine things you never knew about neurodiversity (or maybe you did!). Abby is a scientist based at the University of Exeter Children and Young People’s Mental Health Research Collaboration. Together we look at specific facts about neurodivergence but also delve deeper into things that could help or hinder neurodivergent people. We learn more about our senses, hyper- and hypo-sensitivity, and whether neurodivergence is increasing in the UK – or are we simply becoming more aware of it?

    40 min
  6. Dr. Claire Newman | Weather on Mars

    JAN 2

    Dr. Claire Newman | Weather on Mars

    Have you ever wondered what the weather is like on Mars? In this special live event, join a world-leading scientist who works on two Mars Rovers to find out. Dr. Claire Newman is a planetary atmospheric specialist who studies weather and climate on Mars. We take a closer look at what recent surface missions have taught us and why NASA scientists are so curious about the red planet. Claire shares weather reports from the Perseverance Rover which describe a tumultuous place of violent dust storms, desert landscapes, and wildly fluctuating temperatures. Together we explore the key differences and similarities between weather on Earth and Mars. CLAIRE NEWMAN Dr. Claire Newman is a planetary atmospheric scientist who works on weather and climate on Mars and Titan, specialising in the study of dust storms. She is a team member on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover, InSight Mars lander, and Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, as well as the upcoming Dragonfly Titan rotorcraft.

    34 min
  7. Dr Tina Cartwright | Making Menopause Matter

    2024-12-18

    Dr Tina Cartwright | Making Menopause Matter

    Fifty percent of the world’s population who make it to middle age and beyond will experience menopause, but talking about it, understanding it, and knowing how to manage it are only gradually becoming more commonplace. So how can we have more open conversations about individuals’ experiences? Mainstream narratives on the menopause often contain a dizzying report of weight gain, brain fog, joint pain, anxiety, depression, dry skin, and hot flashes. Dr. Tina Cartwright joins us from the University of Westminster to chat about what perimenopause and menopause actually are and how they manifest in women differently. Tina talks about recognising your symptoms to help you ask for the right support – whether from your employer or your GP. We also look at how exercise, CBT, yoga, and cold water swimming can support wellbeing during this time of transition.

    29 min
  8. Professor Robin May | A Microbial Safari Through The Human Zoo

    2024-12-09

    Professor Robin May | A Microbial Safari Through The Human Zoo

    How does the human immune system react to viruses, bacteria, or fungi invasions? Microbial life doesn’t just become visible under the microscope. During the Covid-19 pandemic, for example, it completely changed our lives. Professor Robin May from the University of Birmingham Robin is fascinated by how microbes cause diseases. He takes us on an investigative safari to take a closer look at what happens when so called pathogens enter the human body. ROBIN MAY School of Biosciences University of Birmingham Robin is Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Birmingham and succeeded Sir Chris Whitty last year as the 39th Gresham Professor of Physic. He is currently serving as Chief Scientific Adviser to the Food Standards Agency, where he provides independent science advice to the UK Government on food policy.

    38 min
See All (53)

About

Agile Rabbit (www.agile-rabbit.com) is a platform that provides special events for the South-West and beyond to focus on ideas, global affairs and the natural and scientific world. The events are set in contrasting venues across the South-West to provide quirky experiences, which welcome conversation. There is a monthly talk and discussion at Exeter Phoenix, and other special events elsewhere including IntoBodmin and Marine Theatre Lyme Regis. The events include panel discussions, debates, film screenings, and performances. This diversity of experiences sets the tone of Agile Rabbit as inclusive, emphasising our key theme: That cutting edge thinking can be at the centre of everyday life. Origin Lapin Agile is a cabaret in Montmartre, Paris. At the turn of the twentieth century artists, thinkers, and scientists would gather to discuss ideas and socialise.

Information

  • Creator
    Agile Rabbit
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Agile Rabbit