Review by Tracey Dancy, Making Waves Marketing

The 2016 Stoneley Lecture, held at the Westminster Central Hall on 8th March, was led by distinguished Parliamentarian, Professor and TV presenter, Robert Winston, on the topic of ‘Uncertainty – Is Technology the Solution?’

Drawing on his vast experience in the world of biology, Professor Winston led us through a potted history of science, in particular highlighting areas where scientific literacy – or the lack of it – has led to serious misconceptions and misunderstandings.

Professor Winston began by describing a flint arrowhead from the British Museum, c1.5 million years BC as “the single most important piece of technology ever invented”. Initially used as a crude tool, it became a significant catalyst in the change from mankind becoming omnivorous – introducing important proteins into our diet to improve the ways in which our brains work. Later of course it was attached to spears and later still to arrows – giving humankind (rightly or wrongly) the ability to hunt and kill from a distance.

His own field of genetics has had a mixed moral history, and is an excellent example of how the understanding – or misunderstanding – of science can lead to very different outcomes. Eugenics – “the science of improving a population by controlled breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics” – has been a concept embraced by key society figures since the time of Plato, and ultimately of course led to experimentation during World War II on concentration camp inmates, as well as a number of high profile court cases over enforced sterilisation since then.

However, Professor Winston’s own work has enabled huge strides in the development of processes to remove genetic illness from unborn babies, bringing hope to parents across the world. Professor Winston stated that scientists have a responsibility to engage with the public, and that this will contribute towards a better understanding of and engagement with important scientific work.

Steve Garrett, General Manager of the Chevron Global Technology Centre and Jon Gluyas, Dean of Knowledge Exchange at Durham University, carried the discussion through to earth sciences, and the lack of perception by the public of what the petroleum industry does, as well as the apparent lack of government support for studies into Carbon Capture and Storage strategies (CCS). The current societal attitude towards onshore exploration in the UK is an example of how successful technology has failed to engage the public, and is often misunderstood through a lack of scientific literacy, in turn having a wide-ranging effect on sociological and technological advancement.
The lecture was well-attended, with 285 tickets sold.

The PESGB Stoneley Lecture is an annual outreach event which aims to excite and inspire members of the general public about topics relating to the geosciences.
Previous Stoneley Lecturers have included Professor Iain Stewart, Hugh Dennis, Dallas Campbell and Sir Tony Robinson.

The Lecture Series is named in honour of Professor Bob Stoneley, an early champion of the PESGB who was a highly eminent petroleum geologist, teacher and Professor at Imperial College.