Dr Laura James's writings

On Monday, a lecture by Jorge Cham, who creates the wonderful Piled Higher and Deeper comics. Yesterday, a Mitch Benn gig - actually Mitch Benn and the Distractions. I hadn't really known what to expect of this, as I only really knew of Benn through the Now Show on Radio 4 . But it was wonderful - a really vibrant live performance, and some stunning funny songs, reminiscent of Weird Al (only more topical, perhaps, and certainly more British). It turns out that Mitch is from Liverpool, has an accent that fluctuates madly, and does a very fine rendition of Macbeth in the style of Eminem. Tonight, we're off to see Stardust , which I'm really looking forward to! Tomorrow, less culture, at a Web2.0 discussion meeting. No idea of what to expect there!

Many engineers remember the annual Faraday Lecture, as an inspiration in their childhood or teens. The IEE (now IET), which ran it, took the decision that a lecture tour could only ever reach a small number of people, and have this year launched The Faraday , which is a set of videos and activities presented online, and supported by a team of Faraday Engineers around the UK. The website includes various games for you to try, and challenges for school teams to undertake (with the incentive of starring in a film, if their competition entry video is a winner). If they need any help, any school can call the IET and request a Faraday Engineer to come in and support them with activity help, careers advice, or whatever. Yesterday was the launch event in London, compered by Dr Jack , the "face" of Faraday 08. He seems a lively chap, with a real PhD (neuroscience), and very hip, which is undoubtedly what science needs these days. There was quite a party atmosphere.

AlertMe's first corporate video is out! You can play at spotting your favourite AlertMe staff in it.