People across Brisbane are gathering over beers, not Bunsen burners, to learn more about the latest scientific discoveries.
Run over three days in more than 19 breweries or pubs, the Pint Of Science Festival is bringing experts from fields such as technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine to share their research with the community.
"The project is a platform for the public to reach out to science and help them realise that science isn't about lab coats and glasses," co-ordinator Adrian Cullen said.
"It's about getting the research and information that researchers are finding and making it accessible to the public that they couldn't access otherwise."
From Zika virus to outer space
Mr Cullen said the guest speakers came from various scientific fields such as physics and the environment.
"One speaker during the festival will be releasing her research on the Zika virus and dengue fever and how she found a cure for that from a plant that we find in our backyard," he told ABC Radio Brisbane's Loretta Ryan.
"Another speaker is looking at the hookworm, and another will talk about mental health and how an app can monitor behaviour."
He said pubs provided a venue where everyone felt welcomed and relaxed.
"It puts the scientists at ease ... many of these guys are PhD students who are preparing to go out and get funding for grants and they have to practise how to pitch.
"This environment gives them a relaxed space that isn't high stress and the varied topics is what keeps things interesting."
For young and old
The idea of pub science started in 2012 in the UK, where researchers wanted to get their research out to the general public.
Since then it has spread to 24 countries, Mr Cullen said.
"They took the research from the lab to the pub and got the public to come along — it was instantly received well."
One of the advantages of the project is its ability to attract people of all ages.
"You have a range of people that come along, from PhD students to the general public and then anyone that is generally interested in science," Mr Cullen said.
"We have had people from 18 years old to 60-plus.
"We break it down and put complex research into layman's speak, and for me it has made things much easier too."
Mr Cullen, a former science teacher, said after attending a couple of sessions, he wanted to take it further.
"It's been phenomenal to get to know all the speakers and the volunteers that come from the science community as well.
"We're hoping to create education platforms for Pint Of Science members to help scientists in their training to learn how to pitch for grants and to explain their work."
Events are running across the country throughout May. More details can be found on the Pint of Science website.
