New Scientist Dwell 2024: What we’re most enthusiastic about seeing this 12 months

New Scientist Dwell, the world’s biggest competition of concepts and discovery, is returning to ExCeL London from Saturday 12 till Sunday 13 October, with a devoted Colleges’ Day on Monday 14 October. There’s a gorgeous lineup of greater than 60 audio system, 5 phases and a wide selection of exhibitors and experiences. Whether or not you have an interest in synthetic intelligence, bizarre animals, cutting-edge astrophysics or the very best issues to eat for mind well being, there will likely be one thing to entertain and educate you, however here’s what eight members of the New Scientist editorial workers are most trying ahead to seeing.

Leah Crane
Senior reporter
That is my fifth New Scientist Dwell, and it has by no means been something lower than pleasant. The factor I’m most excited for is on Sunday, when Chelsea Whyte and I are placing on a stay episode of our podcast with New Scientist, Useless Planets Society. It’s a barely unhinged podcast the place we take wild hypotheticals about methods to tinker with the cosmos and topic them to the scrutiny of precise science, with the assistance of a particular visitor who’s an precise scientist. This 12 months we’re going to play an interactive recreation about wrecking the universe, and it guarantees to be extraordinarily enjoyable. Other than that, I’m excited to satisfy some robots and listen to numerous talks outdoors of my traditional bailiwick, from dinosaur behaviour to the evolution of free will.

Rowan Hooper
Podcast editor
Two in 5 of the world’s vegetation are threatened with extinction, but most individuals aren’t conscious of the issue due to what’s typically referred to as “plant blindness”. Chris Thorogood, who’s deputy director of the Oxford Botanic Backyard, is on a mission to lift the profile of vegetation and restore our imaginative and prescient. At New Scientist Dwell, I’m trying ahead to listening to him describe an epic expedition to Indonesia to research one of many world’s most extraordinary vegetation: Rafflesia, typically referred to as the stinking corpse lily. The plant produces the biggest flower on this planet (a metre throughout), which emits the scent of rotting meat. It has no roots or leaves, as an alternative parasitising a number plant and flowering when it wants to breed. As Chris says, Rafflesia is a fraudster and a thief, and I can’t wait to listen to extra about it.

Tim Boddy
Image editor
Whereas formally a cat particular person, I’ve discovered myself terribly enthusiastic about Rachel Casey’s discuss on the vital position that canines play in our lives. I’ll offset this with a speak about all issues human, with David Robson on the legal guidelines of social connection. David has been on a improbable run of delicate and shifting writing for New Scientist about human relationships and the psychological limitations that have an effect on our day-to-day.

I additionally can’t wait to see New Scientist workers members Bethan Ackerley and Alison Flood on a panel with our former editor Emily Wilson, debating “what is the greatest science fiction novel of all time?” on the at all times participating Have interaction Stage. I’m anticipating stomach laughs, and for it to get severely heated. Away from talks and panels, I’m intrigued and mildly scared by the Unbelievable Oceans expertise, the place there’s a promise to stand up shut and private with the giants of the ocean.

Carissa Wong
Well being reporter
I’m excited to listen to Kimberley Wilson’s discuss on what to eat to spice up our mind well being, in addition to Venki Ramakrishnan’s insights on why we die. After these, it’ll be a troublesome selection between David Spiegelhalter on how uncertainty influences our lives or listening to Adam Rutherford discuss human origins and the way science could be a weapon towards racism. I’m additionally trying ahead to internet hosting the Thoughts and Physique Stage on the Sunday, the place Camilla Nord will discuss concerning the science behind psychological well being and Robin Dunbar and his colleagues will focus on the psychology of group dynamics – human behaviour is at all times fascinating!

Obomate Briggs
Trainee video producer
This 12 months I’m trying ahead to the talks on the Future Stage, notably Christopher French’s exploration of anomalistic psychology. It’s a sub-discipline I hadn’t heard about, however as an avid watcher of reveals and movies containing paranormal phenomena, I’m fascinated by the concept that science can present a proof for seemingly supernatural occasions. Christopher guarantees to disclose how psychological components can affect our notion of extraordinary experiences, and will probably be attention-grabbing to look at him dissect examples of spooky goings-on.

On the identical stage is Anne Coxon’s discuss evaluating and contrasting the media portrayal of forensic science with actuality. Having been very near turning into a forensic scientist due to the masterpiece that’s Silent Witness, I’m trying ahead to discovering out whether or not I will likely be disillusioned or proud of my selection.

Alexandra Thompson
Assistant information editor
That is my third time at New Scientist Dwell, and I’m thrilled to be internet hosting the Thoughts and Physique stage on Colleges’ Day. Over the weekend I’ll be attending as a visitor and can be sure you catch Nobel prizewinner Venki Ramakrishnan explaining why we die – and what we are able to do about it. And amid the seemingly unending debate over whether or not we actually have free will, will probably be fascinating to listen to Kevin Mitchell’s take… however am I genuinely selecting to attend his discuss? Whereas I rush across the phases and different experiences on the present, hopefully having a journey on the rollercoaster simulator, I’ll additionally cease off to listen to Vincent Deary clarify the need of relaxation and rest… you don’t have to inform me twice.

Eleanor Parsons
Chief subeditor
I sit up for New Scientist Dwell yearly, not solely to satisfy so many fantastic readers but additionally for the fascinating talks on provide. This 12 months I’m going to make a beeline to the Our Planet stage on Sunday afternoon to take heed to David Hone speak about dinosaur behaviour. I learn his pleasant interview in New Scientist and might’t wait to seek out out extra about how these prehistoric beasts lived.

As soon as David has completed, I plan to remain put to verify I bag a seat for the always-popular Alice Roberts. Alice is a improbable and fascinating speaker, and this 12 months she’s speaking about life, dying and illness within the Center Ages, a interval of historical past that has lengthy fascinated me.

Matthew Sparkes
Know-how reporter
I’m excited to catch Neil Lawrence’s discuss on the distinction between human and machine intelligence, and the way AI could be safely utilized in on a regular basis life.

I converse to so many cutting-edge researchers about AI and listen to wildly various opinions about the place the present growth in analysis will take us and what the dangers and advantages are. I’ll not at all times be satisfied by an opinion, however any time I hear an skilled discuss I come away with a better understanding.

New Scientist has printed lots of tales concerning the harms that AI can do and the issues that want fixing within the discipline, however Neil appears to have a extra optimistic stance than another specialists. He believes that our fears of being changed by AI is likely to be misplaced, and he guarantees to speak extra about that, which I hope is as convincing as it could be comforting to listen to.