New Scientist Live 2017

Many speakers discussed the role that science can play both in treating and preventing mental illnesses. Robin Carhart Harris, a neuroscientist and psychologist, discussed the reasons for the first clinical trial on magic mushrooms to treat depression. Robin Carhart-Harris explained how the magic mushrooms worked and the effects of the treatment.

Rosalind Picard is the founder and director at MIT Media Lab of the Affective Computing Research Group. She discussed her ongoing SNAPSHOT Study, which examines how everyday behaviors and social connections can affect sleep and mood. The company is developing models based on data collected from 170 participants at colleges to help predict and prevent the onset of stress and sadness. Picard says, “Aff,ective Computing is not about creating the best machine, it’s about improving people’s lives.”

Kevin Whelan is a dietician and researcher who discusses the effects of food at an individual level. He explains the science behind the microbiome, a microbe ecosystem in the body. It is already exploring the microbiome, the new frontier in personalized medicine and diet. He discusses the impact of our diet and genetic makeup on the microbiome and how it may affect obesity and diabetes.

Wayne McGregor, a multi-award-winning choreographer, demonstrated the creative power of DNA sequencing in his latest project, Autobiography. This performance is based on McGregor’s genetic code. McGregor’s complex process was shown by ten dancers on stage, inspired by cutting-edge science and technology. On Sunday, Margaret Atwood, a renowned author, took the Main Stage to discuss how science is incorporated into her writings, including themes such as genetic engineering, climate change, and drug development.

Louisa Preston, a Birkbeck University of London astrobiologist, spoke about what makes Mars an attractive option for human travel and habitation. Markus Landgraf went so far as to imagine a space elevator that could take humans to the moon. He explains how modern nanotubes could make the idea a reality for the first since it was conceived in 1895.

New Scientist Live offers a variety of speakers, themes, and exhibitors that can provide brands from all sectors with a great opportunity to learn about science and be excited about the future. The speakers were all high-profile and forward-thinking, exploring the latest innovations in each industry.