'Could Jurassic Park happen?': Cork lecture series to explore this question and more

"Could Jurassic Park happen?” This question and more will be discussed at an upcoming lecture series in Cork. 

University College Cork’s (UCC) thought-provoking 'Science in Society' free public lecture series returns for its eighteenth year this month. 

Aiming to bridge the gap between scientific advancements and public understanding, the series aims to offer a unique opportunity for the community to engage with cutting-edge scientific topics.

Among the highlights of the series will be Professor Maria McNamara, a distinguished palaeontologist, who will unravel the mysteries surrounding the concept of resurrecting extinct species in a talk entitled "Could Jurassic Park really happen?” which takes place on March 21. 

Speaking ahead of her talk, Prof. McNamara said; “The idea that dinosaurs and other extinct species could be resurrected has fuelled the imagination of the public and the blockbuster movie industry for decades. But could it really happen? And would it be ethical? In this talk we’ll look at the science behind the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchise, and whether de-extinction of such ancient animals is even possible.” 

The Science in Society series began on Tuesday, January 16, with an exploration of "How science works" by Professor Alan Kelly.

The subsequent lectures cover a wide array of topics, including the ethics of science communication, the natural physical world, the circular economy, and environmental concerns, providing a comprehensive overview of the significant role science plays in shaping society.

The Science in Society lectures are free and open to all. 

They will take place in UCC’s Boole 2, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.00pm.