Philosophical enrichment courtesy of Brightlands Science Lectures
On April 20, two Brightlands Science Lectures were given at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus. During these lectures, researchers present innovative developments in the field of materials and health, along with other topics that are relevant to our society.
It was Tom McLeish’s turn to do the honors on April 20. As a professor at Durham University, he has earned his spurs with research on polymers. Even though this topic appeals to many researchers at the Campus, his lecture took more of a philosophical approach, and was entitled “Re-embedding science in the human”.
According to McLeish, the general public has banished scientific research to laboratories, far removed from our day-to-day lives. In his view, this should not be the case. Science is a new chapter in the age-old book on human existence, following subjects such as music and architecture on the timeline. References to science and technology may be found in wisdom literature, and this can often be negative when themes such as the desecration of creation, alienation and exploitation are touched upon. Sometimes, such as in the Book of Job, this is done in a positive manner. This is when science is represented as being a path to wisdom.
The kickstarter presentation was given by Maxence Valla, researcher at ARLANXEO. His lecture entitled “Surface Organometallic Chemistry Applied to Rhenium-Based Metathesis Catalysts” described the research project at ETH Zurich led by Prof. C. Copéret.
Upcoming Brightlands Science Lectures
The next lecture is scheduled for September 19, and will be given by speaker and Nobel Prize winner Ben Feringa. Michael Meier will give the lecture on November 7.
Brightlands Science Lectures
The Brightlands Science Lectures are intended to serve as a platform for talented, entrepreneurial academic and industrial researchers. They are given the opportunity to gain new insights, and maintain contact with other researchers in their professional field. This encourages cooperation during innovation processes, and is crucial for developments at the Brightlands campuses. The lectures are given by prominent researchers who have earned their spurs in their fields. The event typically starts with a kickstarter lecture given by a young, talented researcher.
The speakers are invited by the Brightlands Science Advisory Board, made up of the following members:
- ARLANXEO: Gerard van Doremaele, Head of R&D
- SABIC: Maria Soliman, Research Fellow
- DSM: Markus Bulters, Senior Science Fellow
- Brightlands Materials Center: Marnix van Gurp, Director
- Chemelot InSciTe: Emiel Staring, Director
- M4I: Ron Heeren, Director
- Maastricht University: Sanjay Rastogi, Professor and Corporate Scientist
