Forensic science is in crisis and has recently been described as unfit for purpose, with no foundational scientific validity and in some cases, no better than witchcraft. This presentation will shine a light on forensic science reflecting on its history and development.

Niamh will speak about recent developments in Scotland with the development of the new Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic science and the opportunities it will bring to create a disruptive step change in how forensic science is viewed from both within the domain and externally.

We will also discuss bright spots - Medici moments, Merchants of light and the interdisciplinary disruptive research which is very much needed within the forensic science ecosystem.


Niamh Nic Daéid is Professor of Forensic Science and Director of the new £10M Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science with the mission to disrupt the forensic science ecosystem. She also works with INTERPOL, the UN and the International Criminal Court. She works with the Senior Judiciary and National Science academics to create ground-breaking scientific primers for use in court.


Our events are open to anyone to attend, just turn up on the evening; although if you want to secure a seat please make sure you arrive in plenty of time. It is free to attend, although we may ask for a voluntary contribution towards running costs during the evening.

Our speaker events have wheelchair access, via a portable ramp which can be installed on-demand. If possible, please let us know you’re coming through contact@merseysideskeptics.org.uk so we can make sure the ramp is ready.

We all know that people with maths, science, and technology skills are experienced at problem-solving; but how useful are those skills in the real world? Mathematician and speaker Katie Steckles will show you some mathematical, logical and geometrical tricks to solve some of everyday life's minor challenges - from tying your shoelace to changing a duvet cover, and plenty of others. You'll never fold a t-shirt the same way again!

Dr Katie Steckles is a mathematician based in Manchester, who gives talks and workshops on different areas of maths. She finished her PhD in 2011, and since then has talked about maths in schools, at science festivals, on BBC radio, at music festivals, as part of theatre shows and on the internet. She enjoys doing puzzles, solving the Rubik's cube and baking things shaped like maths.

Our speaker events have wheelchair access, via a portable ramp which can be installed on-demand. If possible, please let us know you’re coming through contact@merseysideskeptics.org.uk so we can make sure the ramp is ready.

Tamasin Cave will talk about the UK's £2bn lobbying industry and the tactics they use to bend government to their will: how lobbyists build relationships with government; their manipulation of the media; the way that they use academics, scientists, think-tanks, front groups and others to spread their messages; and their attacks on opposition groups. She will talk about how the private healthcare industry has lobbied to open up the NHS to more private operators - and how schools are going the same way; how energy companies have hired a small army of lobbyists to persuade government and local communities to support fracking; how the 'revolving door' works to support the arms industry; and more.

Tamasin is a writer, campaigner and commentator. Her new book, A Quiet Word: Lobbying, Crony Capitalism and Broken Politics in Britain, co-authored by Andy Rowell, shines a light into one of the darkest and least-understood corners of our political culture: the UK's £2 billion commercial lobbying industry. She is a director of Spinwatch, which investigates corporate PR and lobbying, as well as government spin. Since 2007, she has also led the campaign for transparency regulations for lobbyists.

Our speaker events have wheelchair access, via a portable ramp which can be installed on-demand. If possible, please let us know you’re coming through contact@merseysideskeptics.org.uk so we can make sure the ramp is ready.