Lab notebooks - handwriting at the core of science - British Library blog post

23rd January was world handwriting day, the British Library took this as an opportunity to look at examples of lab note book past and present. How does yours compare? Do you still hand write your lab book or make use of online tools like Benchling?

https://blogs.bl.uk/science/2019/01/lab-notebooks-handwriting-at-the-core-of-science.html  

Science Week 2018

Science Week 2018 has arrived!

Birkbeck Science Week is coming up so we've put on a new Book Display around it. Find out more about what Science Week (18-22 June) is and about the lectures and events being put on: https://t.co/GsE5bJnMUe. Why not get yourself along to some of them? pic.twitter.com/BYL0uJhLvl

— Birkbeck Library (@BirkbeckLibrary) June 15, 2018

It's free to book a place at any of the lectures happening during the week, so make the most of learning from experts in their field of study. You can also come and take a look at the book display in the library, which reflects the subjects of the talks. 

Science Week 2018

Science week will be from the 18th-21st June 2018.  

The Rosalind Franklin lecture is by Prof Eva Nogales from UC Berkeley on on her work in cryo-electron microscopy. 2018 is the 60th anniversary of the death of Rosalind Franklin.

Earth and Planetary sciences will be presenting talks on Shark's teeth and the Paektu/Changbaishan volcano that spans the North Korea/China border.  

Psychological Sciences will present talks on self-representation of body and mind and building resilience in breast cancer.

Take a look at the full programme and book. 

Exam time in the Library

We're in the midst of the exam time now with students doing exams through into June. You may have already noticed the Feedback Board in the Library, we're asking what would be useful/helpful to you during the exam time, so please do ask us questions and make suggestions. You're welcome to email with suggestions as well. 

If you want to block out any noise while you're studying in the Library, you can get ear plugs from the issue desk and help desk. 
You may also want to make use of the take a break cards, so people know when you left and when you'll be back. If you do take a break, please make sure you take any valuables with you. 

There's also a book display near the Help Desk on the first floor with titles aimed to help you get through the exam time. 

Coming soon, near the seminar room, we'll have a display of books if you want to take a break from your revision and studying. Read for relaxation and well being as well as learning!
You can follow @BirkbeckLibrary on Twitter, #BBKLib #examtime

Tweets by BirkbeckLibrary

Arts Week at Birkbeck - 14th - 18th May

While not strictly related to Science, there's the opportunity to learn something new with a programme of really interesting events happening over the course of Arts Week at Birkbeck. How about, Bee Composed Live: honeybee communication or  Rare books London: a talk on printing and book binding. Perhaps Pharmacosexuality: sex and hormones or Anima shorts: a selection of animated short films on mental illness...
That's just a taster! There will be over fifty events including lectures, readings, film screenings, workshops, guided walks, performances and panel discussions, as well as two exhibitions.  All events are free and open to everyone. 

Three Minute Thesis Competition

On 23 May 2018 we are holding the 2018 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition from 18.00 – 21.00 in the Clore Lecture Theatre, an event which provides an opportunity to celebrate a diverse range of work from PhD Researchers across the College, and to invite you to come and support the Birkbeck PhD students taking part as they each compete to communicate their thesis in just three minutes.

The Three Minute Thesis Competition is a global event and the Birkbeck winner will have the opportunity to go through to the UK semi-final.

This year we are combining the 3MT event with a poster competition and prizes will be awarded for both competitions on the night: £500 for the best 3MT entry and £300 for the best poster. The winners will be chosen by an expert panel of judges and the audience will also get a chance to have their say by picking a people’s choice winner for the 3MT competition. A drinks reception will be provided after the 3MT event and you will have a chance to view the posters and meet with those who take part in the competitions.

How to attend

If you would like to attend this event on 23 May please register here.

Please note:

·         This event will be a great opportunity for prospective PhD students to find out more about the successes of Birkbeck research students and to be inspired to study for their own PhD - please do highlight the event to prospective PhD student who you think would benefit from attending.

·         There are still opportunities for PhD students to enter both competition: a 3^rd 3MT training session will be held on 10 May and PhD students are invited to submit entries to the poster competition by the end of Friday this week, 11 May. Further details are available on the event page.

Christmas vacation - Library arrangements

You may be aware that Birkbeck’s main Malet Street building will be completely closed over the Christmas period, from 16:00 on Thursday 21 December 2017 to Tuesday 2 January 2018 inclusive. 

This is to allow for essential maintenance work on the building’s electrical infrastructure. 

As a result there will be no access to the Library or any other part of the main building for students or staff. 

For full details of alternative arrangements, please see the opening hours information on the Library website. You will also find details of what's available while the library is closed for Christmas.