Swearing, it turns out, is an incredibly useful part of our linguistic repertoire. Not only has some form of swearing existed since the earliest humans began to communicate, but it has been shown to reduce physical pain, help stroke victims recover their language, and encourage people to work together as a team.

Dr Emma Byrne is an honest-to-goodness robot scientist who, when she’s not developing intelligent systems, has written for BBC Science Focus, the FT and the Guardian. She is co-host and exec-producer of NonFicPod and frequently appears on Sky News and the BBC talking about the future of artificial intelligence and robotics.

In this talk Emma gives a spirited and hilarious defence of our most cherished dirty words, backed by historical case studies and cutting-edge research. Swearing Is Good For You outlines the fascinating science behind swearing: how it affects us both physically and emotionally, and how it is more natural and beneficial than we are led to believe.

45-minute talk, followed by opportunity for audience questions.

£10.00 advance (plus booking fees)