Sussex Universe Series

What is Probability Theory and how to use it properly - 26th February

Valuing Democracy - 12th March

Can you trust Artificial Intelligence? - 26th March

The Unique Sensory World - 9th April

What is Probability Theory and how to use it properly

- Date:  Wednesday 26th February
- Time: 6:00 pm
- Venue: Fulton B Lecture Theatre
- Speaker: Prof. Nicos Georgiou

Abstract:
This talk will explain the inability of the human brain to grasp true randomness, how probability theory developed and how it is used - either correctly or wrongly- today in statistics and data analysis

Ticket Tailor: https://buytickets.at/sussexuniverse/1469229

Valuing Democracy
- Date:  Wednesday 12th March
- Time: 6:00 pm
- Venue: Fulton B Lecture Theatre
- Speaker: Dr Rebekka Kesberg
- School: Psychology 

Abstract: 
"Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people." We as citizens are at the core of democracy, and every day we are - maybe unconsciously - benefitting from living in a democracy. That includes, for example, freedom of political affiliation, being allowed to engage in political action, and freedom of speech. Historically, there have never been more countries self-identifying as a democracy than today, and yet democracies are losing the support and trust of their citizens. In the United Kingdom, voter turnout, trust in politicians and democratic institutions as well as satisfaction with democracy have been declining steadily since the 1950s. Today about half of UK citizens are not satisfied with the way democracy works. At the same time, a rise in political violence with physical and verbal attacks against elected politicians or political outgroups occurs. This trend are damaging for the functioning of democracy and social cohesion. In this talk, I will share findings about individuals’ motivation to engage in political violence from a social psychological perspective. Specifically, I will discuss how people feel about democracy, what they value about democracy and the implications for society.

Ticket Tailor: https://buytickets.at/sussexuniverse/1469020

Can you trust Artificial Intelligence?

- Date:  Wednesday 26th March
- Time: 6:00 pm
- Venue: Fulton B Lecture Theatre
- Speaker: Prof. Julie Weeds

Abstract: 
Prof Julie Weeds is an expert in Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing - the science behind communicating with computers in the same way as humans. In this talk, Prof Weeds will open up the black box and explain how recent innovations such as ChatGPT actually work. You will then be able to decide for yourself the answer to important questions such as how much can you trust the bots?

Ticket Tailor: https://buytickets.at/sussexuniverse/1478564

The Unique Sensory World

- Date:  Wednesday 9th april
- Time: 6:00 pm
- Venue: Fulton B Lecture Theatre
- Speaker: Dr. Louisa Rinaldi
- School: Psychology

Abstract: 
We experience the outside world via our senses. The most familiar senses are of sight, sound, smell, touch & taste, but lesser known senses include proprioception (feeling our body in space), vestibular balance etc. Across the population, our individual perception of the sensory world is remarkably diverse. Hidden amongst the general population are many groups who experience the sensory world in unique and unexpected ways. For example, some people have the sensory blurring of synaesthesia (they 'taste' sounds, or 'see' music). Others with aphantasia, struggle to represent the visual world in their mind (they have a 'blind mind's eye') Others still experience sensory aversions, like misophonia (an intense hatred of chewing or crunching) while others have sensory preferences like ASMR, i.e., pleasurable tingles to certain audio-visual experiences like whispering. In my talk I'll describe the sensory diversity of unusual groups, and show how their differences inform us about the human mind and brain.

Ticket Tailor: https://buytickets.at/sussexuniverse/1491296