Alan gained a first degree in physics at Brunel and a PhD at Imperial. Broad experience was gained working in several different divisions of the NPL He was awarded the Charles Vernon Boys Prize of the Institute of Physics for distinguished research in experimental plasma physics by a young researcher. An elected Fellow of the American Physical Society, he has held senior positions at the JET fusion project, Culham Lab, and at the large-scale international fusion project, ITER, in France. Publishing extensively on fusion, mainly on plasma and fusion physics, he currently lectures on the UK Fusion Doctoral Training Network and consults for Tokamak Energy Ltd, UK, and government institutions in the UK and beyond.

In 1969, British society fearlessly stepped into the space era, shedding an Imperial past and postwar sombreness in the process. But what was a typical British citizen's life like in the final year of the 'swinging sixties'? With a cheerful approach to the topic, Neil will examine the impact of the moon landings and other space-age technical advances on everyday suburban life in 1969, revealing their significant and palpable consequences.

Richard Sharpe obtained his first degree in Chemistry. He then studied for his PhD at the Brewing Research Foundation where he investigated the chemistry of beer flavour, hop oil and the extraction of hops with liquid carbon dioxide. He has worked as a visiting Professor of Food and Beverage Safety at the University of Bedfordshire and his science interests and areas of expertise include beer flavour, hop chemistry, beer safety and due diligence, food and beverage analysis, energy and water saving, new product development and brewery troubleshooting.

What is the science and economics behind mounting concerns about freshwater? On a planet that is 70% covered in water, how can we be running out ? How does it relate to climate change more generally and economic development? What are the solutions to this potential crisis? And how did I use my research in this area to write a trilogy of adventure stories set during a world war for water?

This talk delves into the hidden world of hacking, covering everything from hybrid warfare, malware, and DDoS attacks to compromised sites, data exfiltration, and the vulnerabilities lurking in WiFi networks and dark hotels. It explores the global cyber arms race, the allure of multi-million-dollar zero-day exploits, and even chilling encounters with intelligence agencies like the KGB. The discussion also unpacks the Metaverse, its connection to blockchain and cryptocurrency, and the implications of these evolving digital ecosystems on society.

Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, this session uncovers the deep ties between the physical and digital realms, from the shadowy corridors of the Deep and Dark Web to the geopolitical struggles playing out through cyber and hybrid warfare. It also considers the digital footprint every individual carries—how OSINT, deepfakes, and facial recognition can expose people to exploitation. Ultimately, the goal is to arm users with knowledge and strategies to protect their online and offline experiences from compromise.

Answers to your questions - please send in suggestions to chairman.pccitg@gmail.com

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