One of Britain’s most influential communicators in science will today give a fascinating insight into vision when he delivers the University of Aberdeen’s annual Christmas lecture.
Almost 200 pupils from secondary schools across Aberdeen City and Shire are attending the talk being given by Colin Blakemore, Professor of Neuroscience at the Universities of Oxford and Warwick.
Professor Blakemore, who was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree by the University of Aberdeen three years ago, will explain how our capacity to see the world around us is the culmination of more than a billion years of evolution.
The Professor, who is a frequent broadcaster on radio and television and has written widely for the general public, will also discuss how the most important part of that process is not the eye itself, but the gradual discovery by the brain of new ways of interpreting what the eye sees.
Dr Neil Vargesson, a lecturer in the University of Aberdeen's School of Medical Sciences, has organised today's lecture for S5/S6 Higher and Advanced Higher Biology pupils. He said: "I am absolutely thrilled that Professor Colin Blakemore, who is a world class scientist and hugely influential figure, has spared the time to deliver the University of Aberdeen's annual Christmas lecture.
"I am sure that all the schoolchildren and members of University staff who are attending today's event will find it stimulating, informative and very enjoyable."
Professor Blakemore, who is a former Chief Executive of the UK Medical Research Council, is an expert in many aspects of vision, early development of the brain and plasticity of the cerebral cortex.
He is also passionately committed to public communication and engagement, for which he has won many prizes, including the Royal Society Michael Faraday Prize.
Today's Vision Impossible! lecture takes place between 1.30pm and 2.30pm at the University's Foresterhill campus. It will be attended by pupils from Albyn School for Girls, Hazlehead, Northfield, Oldmachar, St Machar, Turriff and Westhill Academies and Keith Grammar School.