A side of knowledge with your beer?

Raising the Bar, a global initiative that originated in New York, hosts academics in bars around Auckland to present some of their most interesting research in a convivial setting, bringing topical subjects out of lecture halls and into the neighbourhood.

The 20 topics this year range from searching for alien worlds to the challenges of keeping premature babies growing, and will take place in ten locations in Parnell, Ponsonby, Grey Lynn and the CBD.

Director of Alumni Relations and Development, Mark Bentley, says it’s good to be able to bring the event back into real time.

“This is the fifth year we have held Raising the Bar. Last year’s online event, necessitated by lockdown, ended up being a great success - especially for taking the event to international audiences. We plan to do a similar online event later in the year.

“In the meantime, we’re looking forward to an in-person event where people get together with friends to listen to some world-leading research and perhaps debate some of the findings over a drink and a pub meal,” he says.

“Our academics enjoy the opportunity to share their work with a different group of people and it certainly underlines the fact that the research being done is highly relevant to our communities – and not just a small group of people up on the hill.”

There are two sessions per bar at 6.30 and 8pm, each one lasting approximately 45 minutes. Entry is free but attendees must register at rtbevent.com/auckland-21.