Talks

It seems like the term ‘trauma’ is everywhere now; it has become one of the central lenses through which we view our experience. However, trauma as a medical diagnosis – PTSD – is very young. It only entered the diagnostic mind in 1980, based largely on research from the Vietnam War. The returning soldier is a familiar character across American popular culture forms, especially film and television. And their depictions follow a narrow model, both instantly recognizable and mostly inaccurate.

This talk addresses the direct representation and erasure of traumatized veterans, while also considering the wider representation of trauma at play in popular culture. Beginning with a brief overview of the relationship between the Vietnam War and trauma, I show how vets are either ignored or painted in offensive, inaccurate ways. And finally, I will attempt to answer the question ‘so what?’ What does this mean for vets, for comics, and for our understanding of trauma?

Content note: some images of combat and violence; sustained discussion of trauma and PTSD.

Ever since ancient times, people have believed that giant, monstrous animals inhabit the seas. If such creatures are real, could they have a direct relationship to the giant sea reptiles - in particular the long-necked plesiosaurs - of the geological past? Join esteemed author and palaeozoologist Dr Darren Naish as he explores our developing ideas about sea monsters past and present, a subject that combines developments in palaeontology with studies of mythology and popular culture.

For almost 20 years, Michael Marshall had been investigating those who claim to have psychic powers. He has had his palm read by suspect psychics in Blackpool, gone undercover to report from mediumship shows and spiritualist readings, and scientifically tested the ability to talk to the dead. Here he will tell tales of what happens when you begin to crack the surface of the pseudosciences that surround us – revealing the surprising, sometimes-shocking and often-comic adventures that lie beneath.

From best-selling books to viral TikToks and food documentaries, ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have become public enemy number one in the world of nutritional ‘wellness’. But is the panic justified – or are we being fed a different kind of harmful message? In this talk, registered dietitian Maeve Hanan will break down what UPFs actually are, the roots of UPF panic and what the evidence really says about them. We will also explore how the cultural obsession with purity and perfection in eating can do more harm than good, all too often spiralling into food anxiety and disordered eating. This talk challenges black-and-white thinking around food, encourages a more balanced perspective, and asks: what if our fear of food is more dangerous than the food itself?

Misinformation is one of the biggest challenges we face today, it shapes what we believe, how we vote, and even how we see the world. So, helping young people learn to spot it is more important than ever.

But most educational programmes about misinformation are designed for young people, not with them. That’s where Project Real comes in. We work with young people to co-create engaging, research-based activities that build their skills in spotting misinformation through lesson plans, comics, and even games.

In this talk, Yvonne Skipper will share some of the key interventions we’ve developed together with Education Scotland, Police Scotland, and social media influencers. She will also talk about what we can learn from working side-by-side with young people – and how involving them directly can make a real difference in helping them (and us!) stay smart, safe, and resilient in an increasingly complex online world.