Science in Reading

📍 Registration is essential. Save your spot and be part of the conversation:
👉 https://forms.office.com/e/6jSpfPV0Cu

Curious about AI, its real-world impact, or how it could transform your industry or community? Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just getting started, the Thames Valley AI Summit is your opportunity to explore the cutting edge of artificial intelligence in an open, inclusive environment.

🎤 Expect a full day of inspiring keynotes, thought-provoking panel discussions, and practical hands-on workshops designed to inform, up-skill, and inspire.

Our event brings together business leaders, creatives, technologists, researchers, policymakers, and the simply curious — all under one roof.

🧠 Key themes this year include:

• Sustainability: How AI is driving greener technologies, smarter systems, and climate resilience.
• Creative Industries: From music and media to design and storytelling — how artists and creators are reshaping the future with AI.
• AI Adoption: Real-world insights into how organisations are deploying AI tools to unlock value.
• Skills & Training: Join our hands-on sessions to build practical capabilities, no matter your starting point.

🌍 Free and open to all, the Thames Valley AI Summit aims to demystify AI, spark new collaborations, and accelerate innovation across the region while spotlighting the enormous potential of AI.

Agenda:
08.30 - Arrivals, Breakfast, Networking
09.00 - TVAI Summit Starts
12.30 - Lunch
16:00 - TVAI Summit Close / Networking
17:00 - Goodbyes

Stay tuned — our speaker lineup and full agenda will be announced soon.

📍 Registration is essential. Save your spot and be part of the conversation:
👉 https://forms.office.com/e/6jSpfPV0Cu

Links to the local STEAM Groups + Social Media Link Tree

We are looking for speakers for 2026 & beyond. If you would like to get involved and support your local Science community please get in touch – email: scienceinreading [at] gmail.com or twitter: Science in Reading (@Science_Reading) Speaking slot availability can be found here.

A friendly Science focused group entertaining the local community with the fascinating world of science – events from hands on workshops to engaging talks. Everyone welcome!

Our monthly meetups are held upstairs at Zero Degrees (9 Bridge St, Reading RG1 2LR) from 7pm.

So please do come along, grab a beer/food at the downstairs bar (the mango beer and wood fired pizza are epic) and enjoy a relaxed evening of talks + networking + beers.

7:00pm Arrivals
7:30pm Welcome and Introductions
7:35pm Too many elephants? (Dr Vicky Boult – University of Reading)
8:20pm Comfort Break
8:30pm Q&A
9:00pm Networking
9:30pm End

More Information

Too many elephants? (Dr Vicky Boult – University of Reading)

Too many elephants? Surely not. We hear all the time of the terrible plight of elephants: poached for their ivory tusks, hunted for their trophies, plagued by drought… So why are some countries proposing to cull elephants? In this talk, Dr Vicky Boult will present the complex realities of managing elephant populations across Africa. From conservation efforts to restore lost elephant populations to the frontline of human-elephant conflict, and even elephant vasectomies! Join Vicky for a deep-dive into all things elephant, and a reality check on real-world conservation.

Vicky is a Lecturer in Conservation Biology at the University of Reading. She has studied African elephants since 2013, working in a range of contexts from Kenya to South Africa. Her research interests lie in the conservation impacts of extreme weather, with a primary focus on the impacts of drought on elephants. Vicky spent five years working in the development of early warning systems for the African humanitarian and agricultural sectors, and she brings concepts from this work to her conservation research.

If you would like to get involved and support your local Science community please get in touch – email: scienceinreading [at] gmail.com or twitter: Science in Reading (@Science_Reading)

Speaking slot availability can be found here.

We meet 1st Tuesday of the month. Format is gathering from 7.00pm with talks commencing at 7.30pm. Talks timings are completely flexible but generally 40-60mins + Q&A with a ~20mins break to encourage social networking.

Contact’s: email: scienceinreading [at] gmail.com or twitter: Science in Reading (@Science_Reading)

Links to the local STEAM groups + #rdggeek Link Tree

We are looking for speakers for 2025 and beyond. If you would like to get involved and support your local Reading Geek community please get in touch – email: talks [at] rdggeeknight.org or via Twitter: @RDGGeekNight Speaking slot availability can be found via the website.

Our monthly meetups are held upstairs at Zero Degrees (9 Bridge St, Reading RG1 2LR) from 7pm.

So please do come along, grab a beer/food at the downstairs bar (the mango beer and wood fired pizza are epic) and come share your geekery and enjoy a relaxed evening of talks + networking + beers.

Everyone welcome!

• 7:00pm Arrivals
• 7:30pm Welcome and Introductions
• 7:35pm 7:35pm Reading’s Digital Revolution (Brendan Carr - Reading Museum, Peter Doyle & Stuart Ward )
• 8:05pm Networking & beers
• 8:30pm Short announcements/updates*
• 8:35pm Pub Quiz (Please bring a pencil & paper)
• 9:30pm End(Networking and beers downstairs)

More Information

Reading’s Digital Revolution (Brendan Carr - Reading Museum, Peter Doyle & Stuart Ward )

Stuart will be introducing an evening which will lead us into as short talk about Reading's DIGITAL Revolution project and then culminate with first public performance of a unique musical composition specially commissioned for Reading Museum’s “DIGITAL Revolution” exhibition.

Brendan Carr (Reading Museum’s Community Engagement Curator) will give a short presentation on the development and content of the Reading’s DIGITAL Revolution project, including insights into the current exhibition which continues in the Sir John Madejski Gallery until Wednesday 24th December.

Peter Doyle will be contributing a unique musical composition to Reading Museum’s “DIGITAL Revolution” exhibition, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) UK and the birth of the ICT industry in Reading. His work draws inspiration from the exhibition and notably incorporates synthesized sounds from the iconic DECtalk speech processor, a nod to the technological legacy of DEC.

The recital marks the first public performance of this specially commissioned piece, aligning with the museum’s broader efforts to commemorate Reading’s transformation into a digital hub. The exhibition itself, running until December 2025, explores the town’s evolution from traditional industries to its pivotal role in the UK’s Silicon Valley.

About Reading Geek Night

A friendly and welcoming community for enthusiasts.

Every second Tuesday of the month Reading Geek Night has talks on various topics about science, tech, design & geekery. The usual format is to gather from 7:00pm and commence the talks at 7:30pm. Talks are ~20mins + Q&A with a break of 20mins for networking and beer.

*Before the second session there is an opportunity for any short announcements so please let us know on the night if you would like a slot or 1-2mins.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Get involved and support the community

If you would like to get involved with your local #rdggeek community by giving a talk or hosting a quiz at an upcoming event please contact us via twitter: @RDGGeekNight, Facebook or email us: talks [at] rdggeeknight.org

Speaking slot availability can be found via the website.