University Centre Reaseheath offers a variety of public lectures and events featuring our research-active academic staff, to showcase some of the great research and other projects we have going on.
We also welcome local charities, community organisations and interest groups from around Cheshire and the North West to hold public events and deliver guest lectures at UCR. Do please get in touch if you want to deliver an event with us.
Are reptiles really the solitary hunters we have traditionally seen them as, or do they have a rich social life that we are only recently shining a light on? This talk explores some of the more interesting social behaviours found in lizards, snakes, crocodiles and tortoises, showing how the latest research techniques are giving us new insights into reptile life. This research has profound implications for how we perceive, keep and protect reptiles.
Join us for Paws and Perception, a thought-provoking public lecture that pulls back the curtain on the real world of assistance dog training. We’ll explore how these remarkable dogs learn, the challenges trainers face, and the ethical debates shaping the field today. From the science of canine behavior to the human-canine partnership, this talk will confront common misconceptions and examine why no amount of training can, or should, erase a dog’s individuality.
Cheesemaking is both an ancient craft and a complex scientific process. This lecture explores how milk is transformed into cheese through the action of microbes, enzymes, and time. We'll examine the central roles of lactic acid bacteria, casein coagulation, and the biochemical transformations that occur during curd formation and aging. Alongside these scientific foundations, we’ll also consider how human culture and tradition have shaped the incredible diversity of cheese styles found around the world. Whether you're a curious foodie or a science enthusiast, this talk will reveal the fascinating intersection of microbiology, chemistry, and culinary heritage that lies at the heart of every wheel of cheese.
Accidents and emergencies can happen at any time — and when they involve your pet, every second counts. Knowing what to do before you can reach a veterinarian can make all the difference. In this practical, hands-on session, you’ll learn essential first aid skills to help keep your pet safe and stable until professional care is available. Guided by an experienced instructor, we’ll cover: How to recognise signs of distress or injury Performing pet CPR and rescue breathing Controlling bleeding and dressing wounds Handling choking incidents and poisoning cases Safe transportation techniques for injured animals
Humans have a very simple life cycle- a female and a male meet, engage in courtship, have a baby, and the baby grows up. However, we are just one tiny corner of a vast realm of life! From corals to jellyfish to ferns to slime moulds, the reproductive cycle gets mind-blowingly weird and challenges what exactly an individual person is, at all... (note: safe for under 18s)
For centuries our teachings of the intimate lives of non-human animals has been shaped by a predominantly Western, Christian, male-dominated body of research. We’ve pigeon-holed animal reproductive behaviours into neat “2.4 children and a picket fence” parcels that are easy to swallow and that fit our own ideologies, but what are the family and sex lives of other-than-humans really like? This session will shine a light on some of the myriad ways that animals select mates, safeguard paternity, ensure genetic diversity and raise offspring. From detachable penises to pregnancy pauses, communes to abandonment or single mothering to multiple fathers, the natural world shows us that ‘normal’ is often anything, everything and ever evolving.
Across the UK, thousands of dogs find themselves without a home each year — picked up as strays, surrendered to shelters, or abandoned outright. But how well do we really care for them? This talk takes a close look at the systems, policies, and people involved in supporting stray dogs, from the moment they are found to the point they are reunited or rehomed. We’ll explore: How stray dogs are identified and cared for by local authorities and charities The role of microchipping, licensing, and public awareness in prevention Challenges faced by shelters and rescue organisations The ethical questions around euthanasia, long-term kennelling, and quality of life Success stories — and lessons still to be learned
Hear about how gardens are created at RHS flower shows, learn about what goes on behind the scenes and the high standards expected by the RHS judges. Enjoy tea and coffee followed by a Q&A session at the end.
Step into the fascinating, heartwarming, and bizarre world of veterinary nursing with this captivating lecture! From unexpected patient behavior to unusual medical cases, this event will highlight the lighter, stranger side of a vet nurse's journey. Enjoy tea and coffee followed by a Q&A session at the end.
Sharks are an incredible and awe-inspiring group of animals; they're an animal that has always captured our wildest imagination. Sharks have been portrayed in human cultures for millennia, as both vicious killers and powerful guardians. But with the differences in how we view them it's no wonder that much of their biology, ecology and behaviour remain a mystery. Even in the modern day we still don't know where most shark species breed or migrate, as well as not understanding the intricacies of their lives.
An engaging and informative public lecture on dog training, where we separate fact from fiction and empower dog owners with science-backed strategies. This session dives into common myths surrounding dog training and provides practical insights into fostering a well-behaved, happy, and confident dog. Whether you're a new pet parent, an experienced owner, or just curious about the fascinating world of canine behavior, this lecture promises to provide valuable knowledge in an interactive and approachable format.
When thinking of the natural world, everyone pictures badgers, foxes, wildflowers or maybe tall trees in a green woodland. However, none of this would exist without the invisible micro world that ties the environment together. Delve into this world and learn how truly interconnected our precious biosphere truly is.
Explore the pressing question of whether sustainable farming is an achievable goal or an insurmountable challenge in the modern agricultural landscape. This engaging lecture delves into the complexities, opportunities, and innovations shaping the quest for sustainability in farming practices today.
Hyaenas have long been cast as villains, but there's much more to their story. This talk will unravel the truth about all four hyaena species, with a special focus on the spotted and brown hyaena. Discover their remarkable ecology, complex social structures, and crucial role in ecosystems. From skilled hunters to expert scavengers, hyaenas are far more than nature’s outcasts - they are keystone species vital to maintaining balance in the wild.
If you have any questions about our events that aren’t answered here, please email us on UCR@reaseheath.ac.uk, we’d be happy to help.
There is free parking on campus. You will need to use main entrance 1 on the B5074 (Main Road) and park in the car parks on the left or right as you first enter the campus. The event is being held in Lecture Theatre UCR8/9 University Centre Reaseheath which is accessible via Reception/Centrepoint. The campus is approx. 25 minute walk from Nantwich Town Centre. We are not on any bus routes but are a short taxi ride from Crewe or Nantwich. Crewe has a busy main line train station and there is also a train station in Nantwich.
There is a snack vending machine and a Costa Coffee machine available in the UCR building. On some occasions the Courtyard Café bar will be open and serving drinks and bar snacks.
Please check the individual listings for each event to find out if the content of the event is suitable for children or under 18s. You can also contact us on UCR@reaseheath.ac.uk if you need further information about the event.
Our venue is wheelchair accessible with disabled toilets. We can make other arrangements for disabilities on request, such as hard of hearing. Please contact us on UCR@reaseheath.ac.uk with your requirements and we will do our best to accommodate you.
We do not currently record our events. Some events may be online, please check individual listings.
There is usually time at the end of the event to ask questions and chat to the speaker.
