The Royal Institution of Great Britain

One of the surprises (for me) of yesterday’s Science Blogging 2008 conference was the place where it was held: the Royal Institution of Great Britain. I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t know anything about the RGIB before this event, but pleased to say I know more now and will definitely be back.

Royal Institution of Great Britain, Faraday Auditorium

Photo from Kaustav Bhattacharya via Creative Commons license

Not to be confused with the well-known Royal Society – a learned body that provides science funding, publishing, and avdice – the “Ri” has a much greater focus on education and engagement with the public on matters of science. It’s been no slouch on doing original research; according to Wikipedia:

The Institution has had an instrumental role in the advancement of British science since its founding. Notable scientists who have worked there include Sir Humphry Davy (who discovered sodium and potassium), Michael Faraday, Sir Lawrence Bragg (who won the Nobel prize for his work on x-ray diffraction), and more recently Lord George Porter. In the 19th century Faraday carried out much of the research which laid the groundwork for the practical exploitation of electricity at the Royal Institution. Fourteen of the Royal Institution’s resident scientists have won Nobel Prizes. Ten chemical elements including sodium, were discovered at the Institution, as well as the electric generator and the atomic structure of crystals.

But its the public engagement is where the Ri excels. It’s rumoured that some of its early 19th-century lectures were so popular, and drew such traffic-stopping crowds, that the road in front of the building was made London’s first one-way street. Many British people are familiar with the Ri’s traditional Christmas lectures for kids.

The building is just completing a £22 million renovation, and is very impressive inside. I see now why it was appropriate for it to host a conference of bloggers who want to use the public medium of blogging.

If you’re in London, go see some of the events they’re putting on in September. Certainly drop in on Saturday 20 September when they hold an open house. Other cool events are Crossing over: exchanges in art and biotechnologies (an exhibit from 2 October to 21 November) and Depicting movement: patterns in the brain (a lecture on 27 October).