Greenwich Skeptics in the Pub

Welcome to Greenwich Skeptics in the Pub!

Greenwich SitP is currently the only branch of SitP in South East London. The idea is simple: Once a month, we all meet up in a pub to hear a guest speaker and enjoy a drink or three.

The Royal Park of Greenwich and the National Maritime Museum, from the Observatory. Backdrop: the Canary Wharf business district. Source: Wikipedia Commons

Our regular meet-up spot is the Star of Greenwich (60 Old Woolwich Road, 
Greenwich, SE10 9NY), where we gather on the second Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise noted. Talks will begin at 7:30pm. Although the talks are free and open to all, we would appreciate a small contribution towards covering speakers’ expenses (suggested donation: £3).

You can find out the latest events on this website, as well as news on our Twitter (@greenwichsitp), Mastodon (@GreenwichSITP@mastodon.world) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/greenwichsitp) pages. We hope to see you at one of our informal gatherings soon!


Our Next Talk

How can Psychology Help with Unsolved
(Cold Case) Investigations?

Professor Fiona Gabbert
Goldsmiths, University of London

24 April 2024 Wednesday 19:30

The Star of Greenwich
60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich – SE10 9NY

The Cold Case Investigations Team, based in the Psychology Department at Goldsmiths University, examine unsolved missing person and unidentified body cases. This talk will feature a case study about a murder victim who was pulled from the North Sea 28 years ago. How can psychological techniques help uncover new investigative leads that might help identify him?

Fiona Gabbert is a Professor of Applied Psychology, and co-Director of the Cold Case Investigation Team at Goldsmiths University of London. Her research in the fields of suggestibility of memory and investigative interviewing has had an international impact on operational procedure and policy including the introduction of new evidence-based investigative interview tools and training resources to the field. Fiona and her team are currently working with the charity – Locate International – to help improve cold case investigations.

NB: This date is not our usual second Wednesday slot and has been changed from what was previously announced.


May 2024

The origins of Occult Illusion

David Alnwick
Magician, writer, actor

8 May 2024 Wednesday 19:30

The Star of Greenwich
60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich – SE10 9NY

Occult Illusionist David Alnwick expands on his TEDx talk ‘Why Magic Should Frighten You’ by exploring the connection between ancient sorcery and modern magicians.

David Alnwick has performed sold-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for a decade. A pioneer of ‘Immersive Narrative Magic,’ Alnwick’s touring shows include ‘Necromancer,’ ‘Nightmare Magic,’ and ‘The Mystery of Dracula.’ He’s headlined Horror Con Uk and remains the only magician asked to present his work to the Recreational Fear Lab in Denmark for study.

‘The Darker Side of Magic’ – NowThen Magazine

‘Alnwick has reached a point in his career where he could coast on the formidable skill set that earned him his reputation and probably still cause daily stampedes for a spot in his shows…  Instead he has chosen to innovate, pushing his own boundaries and the boundaries of magic as a genre.’
★★★★★ – World Magic Review

‘Really well done… thoroughly enjoyed it… Really impressive work’ – Andy Nyman (Derren Brown’s director and writer of West-End hit ‘Ghost Stories’)

“…the magic does not feel forced, but is an essential element of the narrative… a perfectly constructed and flawlessly performed magic show”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★  –  World Magic Review

TEDx Talk on YouTube

www.davidalnwick.com | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn


June 2024

Phone Calls from the Dead?

Dr Callum Cooper
University of Northampton

12 June 2024 Wednesday 19:30

The Star of Greenwich
60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich – SE10 9NY

This evening in the pub shall take you on an exploration of alleged Phone Calls from the Dead. Often, they have been associated with ‘After-Death Communication’ experiences, where reports occur of deceased individuals allegedly making contact. However, unusual reports of telephone calls from living individuals and perceived ‘extra-terrestrials’ have been documented too. Cal will be presenting examples of such cases, the history, controversies, theories and more… ring, ring!

Dr Cal Cooper is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Northampton. He lectures on parapsychology, positive psychology, thanatology, sexual behaviour and social psychology. He is the author and editor of five books to date, including ‘Telephone Calls from the Dead’ and ‘Psi in Psychotherapy’ and over 100 papers and articles. He is the recipient of such awards as the Eileen J. Garrett Scholarship (2009, Parapsychology Foundation), a runner up of the Ockham’s Razor Award (The Skeptic/QEDcon, 2018), and the D. Scott Rogo Award for Media (2021, Parapsychology Foundation).

www.callumecooper.com | Twitter/X @CallumECooper


July 2024 [Bonus Talk]

Are we living in a “post-truth” world?

Joseph Uscinski
University of Miami

3 July 2024 Wednesday 19:30

The Star of Greenwich
60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich – SE10 9NY

The “Brexit” vote, as well as the election of Donald Trump, led many to speculate that we are now living in a “Post-Truth” world, a world in which our information environments are polluted with misinformation and conspiracy theories, and in which facts no longer matter to people. While this narrative helped make sense of our tumultuous politics, the evidence in its favor has been less than systematic. In this talk, Uscinski will showcase more than 60 years’ worth of survey data measuring the public’s beliefs in misinformation, conspiracy theories, and other questionable ideas from both the UK and US. He will detail what has changed over time and what has not. Are we in fact living in a post-truth world, and if so, who, or what, is to blame for the public’s epistemically questionable beliefs? What should be done about it? In providing surprising answers to these questions, Uscinski will discuss the role of the internet, social media, traditional media, and politicians in affecting the public’s beliefs.

Joseph Uscinski is Professor of Political Science at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, and is one of the foremost experts on conspiracy theories and the people who believe them. For more than a decade, he has been polling Americans about their beliefs in conspiracy theories and other dubious ideas. His research has helped to uncover why people believe in conspiracy theories, when, and to what effect. His work is currently funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Uscinski has authored more than 70 published scientific articles and chapters, many of which are highly influential and have appeared in top scientific outlets. He is the author of Conspiracy Theories: A Primer, the first textbook on conspiracy theories, now in second edition, and co-author of American Conspiracy Theories, widely considered the foundational study of modern conspiracy theories. Uscinski’s research and views have been covered extensively in the New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Newsweek, and Politico. He has appeared as a guest on NPR, CBS, Fox News Channel, BBC, and numerous other national and international outlets. Most recently, he appeared in HBO’s “Q: Into the Storm” documentary about QAnon. Growing up in New England, he earned his BA at Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH, his MA at University of New Hampshire, and his PhD at the University of Arizona.

NB: Not our usual second Wednesday of the month.


July 2024

Chasing Empowerment:
The Hidden Cost of Wellness

Dr Alice Howarth
Science communicator and writer

31 July 2024 Wednesday 19:30

The Star of Greenwich
60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich – SE10 9NY

The wellness industry is worth an estimated $4.5 trillion dollars, stretching out into the worlds of fitness, health, beauty, sleep, stress and nutrition. Promises of self-improvement permeate every element of our lives, with all manner of tips, tricks and products targeted at optimising our homes, work lives, health, and diet, often with the promise of empowerment and fulfilment. But what does wellness actually mean? In this talk Dr Alice Howarth will talk about the complex intersection between women’s empowerment and the wellness industry. She will also shine a spotlight on the pervasive influence of medical bias, a deep-seated issue that disproportionately affects women’s health and wellness choices. Discover how stereotypes and systemic imbalances and medical biases shape the wellness landscape, often driving women towards harmful trends and practices.

Dr Alice Howarth is a cancer cell biologist, science communicator, podcaster and writer. She has been part of the skeptical community for more than a decade, and is co-host of Skeptics with a K, vice president of the Merseyside Skeptics Society, deputy editor of The Skeptic Magazine, co-organiser of the QED conference and co-founder of Skeptics in the Pub Online. Alice has delivered lectures on the topics of science and skepticism all over the world, written for publications such as The Guardian, and worked on numerous investigations into pseudoscientific claims. In her day job, Alice is an open research advocate for the University of Liverpool and the UK Reproducibility Network, working to make research available beyond academia. She believes that accessibility and inclusivity is crucial to how we engage with science and critical thinking.

NB: Not our usual second Wednesday of the month.


August 2024

What is Pseudoscience?

Dr Stephen Law
University of Oxford

14 August 2024 Wednesday 19:30

The Star of Greenwich
60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich – SE10 9NY

What is Pseudoscience? How do we distinguish science from Pseudoscience? Does the key lie in falsifiability, as Popper supposed? Can it be defined? I will look at some classic attempts to pin down what pseudoscience is. I’ll reject Popper’s way of demarcating science from pseudoscience, compare pseudoscience to bullshit, and make a suggestion of my own.

Stephen Law is a philosopher now based at the University of Oxford’s Department of Continuing Education. He is the author of many books, including Believing Bullshit, The Philosophy Gym, and The Great Philosophers.


September 2024

Where do Superstitions Come From?

Professor Stuart Vyse
Psychologist and writer

11 September 2024 Wednesday 19:30

The Star of Greenwich
60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich – SE10 9NY

You say you are a skeptic, but do you touch wood for luck or avoid hotel rooms on the thirteenth floor? Would you cross the path of a black cat or step under a ladder? OK, perhaps you would, but lots of other people deploy these superstitions. Despite the dominance of science in today’s world, superstitious beliefs — both traditional and new—remain surprisingly popular. The concept of superstition has existed for millennia, and some of today’s most popular superstitions had their beginnings in ancient Babylonia. What explains their enduring appeal? Psychologist and author Stuart Vyse will try to explain it all for you — both the origins of many popular superstitions and the psychology that keeps them alive.

Stuart Vyse is a behavioral scientist, teacher, and writer. He is a contributing editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine, where he writes the “Behavior & Belief” column, both online and in print. His first book, Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition, won the William James Book Award of the American Psychological Association and was translated into Japanese, German, and Romanian. An updated edition was published in 2014. His 2008 book, Going Broke: Why Americans (Still) Can’t Hold On To Their Money, was an analysis of the challenges of personal debt. The first edition was translated into Chinese, and the second edition was released in September of 2018 in both paperback and audiobook formats. In 2020, he published Superstition, a volume in the Oxford University Press Very Short Introduction series. The Spanish translation, Breve historian de la superstición, was published by Alianza editorial on January 13 (!), 2022, and Chinese and Danish translations are forthcoming. His latest book, The Uses of Delusion: Why It’s Not Always Rational to be Rational (Oxford, 2022), is out now in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook and has been released in Chinese by China Times (Taiwan). Vyse taught at Providence College, the University of Rhode Island, and Connecticut College, and he is a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and the Association for Psychological Science and has achieved a 10/10 score from Room Rater.


October 2024

Things that go bump…

Dr Ciáran O’Keeffe
Buckinghamshire New University

9 October 2024 Wednesday 19:30

The Star of Greenwich
60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich – SE10 9NY

What goes bump in the night… when you’re a parapsychologist researching it in a lab… or when ghost-hunting at night… or when researching the literature with a global ghost gang… or when listening to ghost stories on a podcast… or when running around with a film crew on a paranormal tv show?

Dr O’Keeffe will give his answers to each of these contexts as he discusses his career as a parapsychologist, what it takes to scientifically investigate the unexplained, and how chasing ghosts in the lab differs from chasing them on television!

Dr Ciarán O’Keeffe is a parapsychologist and investigative psychologist who regularly provides a sceptical voice to various paranormal shows (e.g. Uncanny, The Battersea Poltergeist, Most Haunted, Jane Goldman Investigates, World’s Most Unexplained, Unexplained: Caught on Camera, etc). He has been involved in many unusual applied psychology projects: physiological effects of infrasound (at the Royal Festival Hall); ghost investigation of Hampton Court Palace; an exorcism ‘training day’; Hostage Negotiation simulations; and lie detecting for the film Spy Game. He is Head of the School of Human & Social Sciences at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) where he is responsible for overseeing undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Psychology, Education, Social Science and Sports. His paranormal research, published and presented, has focussed on the examination of haunting experiences and testing mediums and psychics in the lab. Additional research has included psychic criminology and ‘Religious’ parapsychology (i.e. exorcism, possession, miracles, etc.). It has been reported in The Psychologist, The Times, The Independent, New Scientist, etc.


November 2024

Genes, Environment, Chance and Free (?) Will

Professor Yulia Kovas
Goldsmiths, University of London

13 November 2024 Wednesday 19:30

The Star of Greenwich
60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich – SE10 9NY

Genetics is the fastest developing field in the history of human knowledge. New insights into gene-environment-chance interplay have implications for conceptualising success and failure, praise and blame, determinism and malleability, expectation effects, added value in education and health, fairness, and (free?) will. Yet, genetic findings are poorly understood by most, including by well educated people. For example, genetic knowledge is on average low among teachers, lawyers, judges and other professionals. Poor genetic literacy can form a foundation for a system of erroneous beliefs and potentially harmful attitudes, decisions and actions. In this talk, I will describe recent genetic advances, findings from genetically informative studies in cognition, personality and behaviour, as well as research on genetic knowledge and attitudes. I will discuss promises and challenges of using genetic findings to benefit people.


December 2024

Doctored Images

Professor Kim Wade
University of Warwick

11 December 2024 Wednesday 19:30

The Star of Greenwich
60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich – SE10 9NY

In an image obsessed world, where photos can be edited at the touch of a button, it is increasingly difficult to tell what is real and what is fake. Being able to distinguish between truth and lies in photography is important, but why?

For nearly 20 years, cognitive psychologist Kim Wade has examined the impact of doctored images on memory, cognition and behaviour. Her work has shown that doctored photos and videos can lead people to develop detailed and compelling memories of entire events that never happened. In a new line of research, Wade and colleagues ask whether people have the ability to distinguish between authentic and doctored images in their daily lives. And if so, are some people better at spotting fakes than others?

Kim Wade is a Professor in Psychology at the University of Warwick. She is a cognitive psychologist specialising in autobiographical and episodic memory, best known for her research demonstrating the power of doctored images to distort memories. Kim is especially interested in the mechanisms that drive the development of false memories, and in refining the theories that explain false memory phenomena. Much of her work has implications for policymakers and professionals in legal settings (e.g., witness evidence in criminal and civil cases, police investigative techniques, “recovered” memories in the courtroom). She has served as an Associate Editor at Legal and Criminological Psychology, Executive Director of the international Society for Applied Research in Memory and Cognition (SARMAC), and Deputy Director of Warwick’s Centre for Operational Police Research (COPR). Her research is published in many high-impact journals, and appears frequently in the media, in undergraduate texts, and in books for the educated layperson.


Greenwich SitP gratefully acknowledges the support of Goldsmiths, University of London. All views expressed are those of individual speakers and are not necessarily endorsed by Goldsmiths.