London events for people with inquisitive minds.
Monday 13 July
NOVELS: The Fiction Lab at the Royal Institution is a monthly book club discussing novels about scientists. This month's book is The Trudeau Vector by Juris Jurjevics. Free, just turn up, 7pm
Tuesday 14 July
FRENCH INTELLECTUALS: Why have the French lost their mojo when it comes to philosophy, theory and ideas? Academic and author Sudhir Hazareesingh will offer some answers in a lunch time lecture at the Royals Society for the Arts. Free, prebook, 1pm
INSECTS: Long term monitoring of insects is important for understanding enviromental change, public health and agriculture. A panel of scientists will highlight key findings of major studies of bugs in Britain at the Institute of Zoology. Free, just turn up, 6pm
HOLOGRAMS: Physics geeks and people who observe them should enjoy this public lecture which starts with a review of the basics of quantum mechanics and goes on to tell us that the universe is a hologram. Or something like that. Professor Jan Plefka will be speaking about The world as a hologram: News from string theory at Kings College London. Free, prebook, 7pm
PUZZLES: If you like puzzles, people and pubs, then Puzzled Pint is the perfect pastime for you. A monthly meeting of puzzle geeks, the location is posted as a puzzle on their website. Free, just turn up (if you are smart enough to solve the puzzle)
Wednesday 15 July
REWILDING: George Monbiot is the ZSL London Zoo's 'author for animals' this week, speaking about his book Feral: Searching for Enchantment on the Frontiers of Rewilding. £12/£8, prebook, 6.30pm
FASHION: When geeks do fashion it's all about what spies were wearing in World War II, who invented the perm and the technology of underwear; then they dance. Join Nerd Nite London for three short talks and some music at Paper Dress Vintage, with all proceeds to charity. £7.50, prebook, 7.45pm
Thursday 16 July
BRYOZOANS: Mary Spencer-Jones and V Factor volunteers will show you how they prepare specimens for the Natural History Museum's bryozoan collection. Bryozoans are aquatic, invertebrate hermaphodites, commonly called 'moss animals' (but you already knew that). Free, just turn up, 11am and 2pm
BATS: Feeling inspired by Londonist's recent bat walk in Fulham? Keep your ears and eyes out for the common pipistrelle and other London bats on a bat walk at Brixton Windmill, guided by Dr Iain Boulton. Free, prebook, 9.20pm
Friday 17 July
ZOO HISTORY: A trip to the zoo has been an exciting outing for generations of Londoners. Learn about the history of ZSL London Zoo, its architecture and connections to Charles Darwin and Winnie the Pooh on this history tour (also on Saturday). £5, prebook, 10am
RICHARD III: Royal watching has never been so interesting, as Turi King from the University of Leicester presents a lecture on the science behind the recent rediscovery of the remains of Richard III at the British Museum. £5, prebook, 6.30pm
Saturday 18 July
ZOO HISTORY: Busy on Friday? Here's another chance to join ZSL London Zoo's history tour. £5, prebook, 10am
SEX: A whole day of writers, academics, scientists and curators talking about sexual desire at the Wellcome Trust, part of The Institute of Sexology exhibition. £18/£15, preebook, 10.30am
Sunday 19 July
CROCODILES: A rare chance to cuddle a caiman crocodile in Crouch End. Part of the first of a series of Animal Lectures, this collaboration between photographer Andrew McGibbon and animal handler Trevor Smith mixes art, science and reptile petting at the Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre. £12/£7, prebook, 12pm
Know about an upcoming event with a geeky bent? Science, technology, engineering, medicine... Send listings requests to [email protected]
