For more than 13 years, Tohoku University has been working to make science more accessible, taking interesting ideas out of the labs into the local communities through a lecture series called Science Café.

Held once a month at various downtown locations like Sendai Mediatheque and Tohoku University's campuses, the 2-hour interactive event provides an opportunity for anyone who is interested, to attend a free lecture on the latest in science research, take part in experiments and chat with researchers, students and like-minded people over drinks.

Running in tandem with the Science Café series is the similarly popular Liberal Arts Salon, fashioned after the social and intellectual gatherings of 17th and 18th century Europe.

Started in 2009, the Liberal Arts Salon is held three times a semester. The events feature themes chosen from the university's wide range of liberal arts subjects, and provide participants with the opportunity to listen to a free lecture and engage in lively discussions.

All lectures are held in the evening from 6:00 p.m.~7:45 p.m. Admission is free and there is no need to register. Everyone is welcome including Junior, High School and University students.

Science Café

Lecture 157 (ended)

What causes cancer?

Cells that constitute multicellular organisms all have the same gene. But cancer cells appear to be different. They are also not the only cells that can create tumors.

In her lecture, Professor Nakayama explains how cancer develops and spreads.

Professor Keiko Nakayama

Graduate School of Medicine

Date: Friday, October 26
Time: 6:00 p.m.~7:45 p.m.
Venue: Open Square, Sendai Mediatheque

More about the Science Café's kickoff seminar here.

Lecture 158 (ended)

Insect pest control using synthetic pheromones

Many insects use chemical substances, called pheromones, to communicate among themselves. Researchers believe that these pheromones might be used to control pests, reducing the need for insecticides.

In his talk, Professor Kuwahara explains the chemical synthesis of insect pheromones and how they can be applied in pest control.

Professor Shigefumi Kuwahara

Graduate School of Agricultural Science

Date: Friday, November 16
Time: 6:00 p.m.~7:45 p.m.
Venue: Learning Commons, First floor,
Aobayama Commons, Aobayama Campus

Lecture 159 (ended)

Soft materials used in medical treatment

In the same way that jelly contains a large amount of water, so do our bodies.

In his lecture, Professor Yamamoto discusses how soft materials, like jelly, could potentially be used in medical treatment to reproduce bodily functions.

Professor Masaya Yamamoto

Graduate School of Engineering

Date: Wednesday, December 12
Time: 6:00 p.m.~7:45 p.m.
Venue: Open Square, Sendai Mediatheque

Lecture 160 (ended)

The mystery of the Mongolian nomadic lifestyle and their relationship with nature

Nomads living in the Mongolian grassland live and migrate with their livestock. In this lecture, Assistant Professor Kakinuma discusses their relationship with nature, while exploring social-ecological dynamics.

Assistant Professor Kaoru Kakinuma

The Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Graduate School of Environmental Studies

Date: Friday, January 11
Time: 6:00 p.m.~7:45 p.m.
Venue: Open Square, Sendai Mediatheque

Lecture 161 (ended)

Learning from living things and materials development

Nature has the ability to perform functions in unexpected ways.
Why do lotus leaves repel water? Why is the colour of jewel beetles so beautiful?

In this lecture, Professor Yabu will introduce new functional materials which have been developed using examples from nature.

Associate Professor Hiroshi Yabu

WPI-Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR)

Date: Friday, February 15
Time: 6:00 p.m.~7:45 p.m.
Venue: Open Square, Sendai Mediatheque

Lecture 162 (ended)

Create functions with synthetic chemistry

During the 20^th century, great advancements were made in the field of organic synthetic chemistry. It now plays an important role in electronics.

In this lecture, Professor Takimiya introduces some of the chemical compounds invented in his laboratory and their application in electronics.

Professor Kazuo Takimiya

Graduate School of Science

Date: Friday, March 22
Time: 6:00 p.m.~7:45 p.m.
Venue: Open Square, Sendai Mediatheque

Liberal Arts Salon

Lecture 55 (ended)

An ageing population, a shrinking society and international migration

As Japan's birthrate continues to decline and its population ages, it faces a shrinking society.

What is particular to Japan's demographics and what does a decreasing population mean for the country? In the first lecture of the season's Liberal Arts Salon, discussions will center on population ageing, international migration and the impact of changing demographics in Japan.

Professor Nobutaka Fukuda

Graduate School of Education

Date: Friday, November 9
Time: 6:00 p.m.~7:45 p.m.
Venue: Espace, Second floor, Katahira Kitamon Commons
Katahira Campus

More about the Liberal Arts Salon's kickoff seminar here.

Lecture 56 (ended)

Japanese/Chinese societies and the family base

The family bond is regarded as a building block of Chinese and Japanese societies. But by comparing the two it's possible to see the similarities and differences, and how modern society has affected change or allowed the continuity of traditions.

Professor Segawa Masahisa

Center for Northeast Asian Studies

Date: Friday, January 25
Time: 6:00 p.m.~7:45 p.m.
Venue: Open Square, Sendai Mediatheque

Lecture 57 (ended)

Correlation and Causation ~ Introductory Econometrics ~

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said he wants to create a "Japan in which women shine."

But what can we do to help make this happen? With an emphasis on correlation and causation, Associate Professor Wakabayashi considers what we should be looking at in order to make informed recommendations for policymaking.

Associate Professor Midori Wakabayashi

Graduate School of Economics and Management

Date: Friday, March 15
Time: 6:00 p.m.~7:45 p.m.
Venue: Espace, Second floor, Katahira Kitamon Commons
Katahira Campus