© Pint of Science, 2026. All rights reserved.
How do the spaces we live and work in influence our wellbeing? What cutting‑edge virus research is happening right here in Geelong? And is animal sexual behaviour more like humans than we’d ever imagined?
From architecture to infectious disease to the surprising science of sex, this session uncovers the hidden forces shaping health and behaviour.
From architecture to infectious disease to the surprising science of sex, this session uncovers the hidden forces shaping health and behaviour.
The Animal Queendom and its same-sex sexual behaviour that slays
Catriona Vi Nguyen-Robertson
(Dr Cat is a singing scientist: she sings in the lab & contemplates science in the shower. She is an award-winning educator, who you can catch yapping on radio, singing & dancing around Museums Victoria, or teaching at The University of Melbourne.)
Queerness is seen throughout the animal kingdom. Or should I say, queendom? Same-sex sexual behaviour isn’t just a human thing. It has been observed in over 1,500 animal species…and counting. Go on a wild ride through some of the animal kingdom’s queerest species, and explore how societal views have shaped this area of research. At the beginning of last century, same-sex sexual behaviour was observed among different birds (including penguins), but was dismissed or swept under the carpet.
The Next Pandemic Is Coming — Will We Be Ready?
Glenn Marsh
(Glenn Marsh is a Principal Research Scientist and Team Leader at CSIRO high containment facility (ACDP) in Geelong, specialising in emerging infectious diseases, pandemic threats, and how science can better prepare us for the next global outbreak.)
Pandemics are not rare events—they are part of life. This talk explores why another pandemic is inevitable, will occur in our life time, what the next one might look like, and the lessons learned from COVID 19. How can science help us respond faster and protect lives.
Built to measure: Designing experiments to study the brain
Isabella Bower
(Isabella is an environmental cognitive neuroscientist exploring how built environments impact brain functioning and health. Her research has gained international recognition, and she is supported through a Research Fellowship from Deakin University.)
Why would a neuroscientist pick up a paintbrush? In this talk, Isabella shares the research she's led moving between virtual and physical reality. She explores the tension between internal and external validity, and both the opportunities and challenges of blending the social and life sciences. Through a series of studies, she discusses the future of environmental cognitive neuroscience and why understanding how our environments shape our psychological and physical health matters.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Other Barwon Club Hotel events
2026-05-20
Wine, Sperm & Mangroves
Barwon Club Hotel
509 Moorabool St, South Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
2026-05-18
Twins, Fat‑Tailed Dunnarts & Distilling Spirits
Barwon Club Hotel
509 Moorabool St, South Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia