The Common Room

Pint of Science: From Spin to Sponge and Saving the Planet
2026-05-19 19:00 - 21:30 (Europe/London) | The Common Room, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE, United Kingdom
Carbon and hydrogen may be small, but handling them is a big challenge. Learn how carbon can be captured using spinning systems, and how hydrogen can be safely stored in materials packed with microscopic pores. Two talks, one mission: save the world.
Porous carbon materials for hydrogen storage application
– Tesfay Berhe Gebreegziabher (Postgraduate Researcher at Northumbria University)
Porous carbon materials for hydrogen storage focuses on using carbon-based materials—such as activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and carbon aerogels that contain a high density of pores to store hydrogen gas. Their large surface area, low weight, good chemical stability, and tunable pore structure make them promising candidates for safe and efficient hydrogen storage, mainly through physical adsorption. This topic highlights how pore size, surface chemistry, and material design influence hydrogen storage capacity and performance, supporting clean energy and fuel cell applications
You Spin Me Right Round Baby (Rotating Packed Beds for Carbon Capture).
– Dr James Hendry CEng MIChemE (Researcher at Newcastle University)
Presentation will cover the recent developments in commercialisation of the technology of rotating packed beds for carbon capture at Newcastle university. Starting from the humble beginnings at Newcastle in the early 1980’s to becoming a world-leading partners in the commercialisation of the technology for carbon capture applications, the current state of the art, and what the future holds for this most Geordie of technologies.
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Accessible toilet
Lift to function room floor

Pint of Science: Ringing Ears and Starry Eyes
2026-05-20 19:00 - 21:30
From phantom sounds that won’t switch off to technologies that sharpen our vision beyond what seems possible, we will explore the strange ways our brains interact with the world.
Learn why tinnitus might exist at all and how tools built to study distant galaxies are now helping us understand the cells in our eyes and the activity in our brains.
From Black Holes to Eyes to the Human Brain – delving into the mind using adaptive optics
– Dr Penny Lawton (Research Associate at Newcastle University)
In this presentation, I’m going to talk about how adaptive optics – a technique used in astronomy for imaging galaxies and stars through the turbulent atmosphere (and which played a large role in the discovery of the black hole at the centre of the universe) – can also be used down here on earth to image the cells at the back of the eye (the retina) with high precision. From imaging these cells we can find out more about how they work, and how problems in these cells lead to sight loss. Interestingly, this technique also lends itself to being an extremely high precision eye-tracker. This talk will also give some insights into how we can use this to probe activity in the human brain and investigate neurological diseases.
Why is my brain spamming me with sound?
– Will Sedley (Researcher and Consultant Neurologist)
This is the question asked by the one in eight of us, and one in four once we’ve reached old age, experiencing persistent tinnitus. We never hear true silence; the sound is always there unless we’re distracted or other sounds are loud enough to drown it out. I’m one of the lucky majority who aren’t bothered by the sounds, but millions in the UK suffer long-term distress and disability from their tinnitus. In this overview of tinnitus neuroscience, I start with the question of why we have evolved tinnitus; it is too common to occur as simply a design flaw. Is it like pain; even though we don’t like experiencing it, it still helps protect us? Some scientists believe tinnitus helps protect the brain from long-term damage caused by hearing loss, but even if this is the case, surely we can find a more pleasant solution? For people suffering from long-term tinnitus, can we do better then just helping them live better with it, and actually quieten or silence the sound?
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Accessible toilet
Lift to function room floor

Production Unlocked (BBC Academy Live)
2026-05-21 11:00 - 17:30
Join us on Thursday 21 May for a day of free masterclasses, panel discussions, and expert advice for those who work in, or want to work in, the creative industries.
11:15-12:15
Digital First: Storytelling for Youtube and TikTok
Hosted by BBC Academy trainer Patrick Flavelle alongside Anthony Browne from BBC Three, this panel explores the BBC’s digital‑first strategy and its new and evolving partnership with YouTube.
The conversation brings together local production teams selected for the BBC Digital Accelerator programme, launched in collaboration with North East Screen, to share how they are developing and delivering bold, short‑form video content for 16–24‑year‑olds across YouTube, TikTok and other social platforms.
We’ll hear from Andrew Eastel from Northern Child and Spencer Curtin from Wander about how they have adapted their storytelling techniques to meet the creative and practical demands of digital‑first production. Expect insights into audience, platform‑specific formats and what it takes to cut through in a fast‑moving digital landscape.
13:00-14:00
BBC Writers’ Long Story Short: Doppelgänger
Hosted by BBC Writers’ Jess Loveland, this session opens with a screening of Doppelgänger, a BBC Three short film made in Newcastle by an entirely North East‑based creative team.
Following the screening, writer Alison Carr, director Zak Harney, producer Zahra Zomorrodian and executive producer Maria Caruana Galizia (Candle and Bell) join us for an in‑depth conversation about the making of the film. The panel will explore the power of short‑form storytelling and discuss how initiatives like BBC Writers’ Long Story Short help shine a spotlight on the rich talent, skills and production capability of the North East.
14:15-15:15
Turning Up The Volume: The North East Music Scene Today
The North East’s music scene – and its grassroots venues – are booming.
With BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland and Sonic Futures taking place in Hartlepool this week, and looking ahead, the Mercury Prize returns to the North East for the second time this autumn, while the BBC Proms have just announced their return to the region this July. The region is firmly in the spotlight.
Join BBC Radio 1 presenter Jack Saunders, the North’s music development agency Generator, BBC Introducing and others to explore what’s driving the success of the North East music scene – from local venues and emerging talent to global events and cultural investment – and why the region’s sound just keeps getting louder.
15:30-16:30
North East Drama: Then, Now and What Comes Next
Thirty years on from the BBC’s Our Friends in the North becoming one of the most acclaimed dramas ever made, drama production in the North East is entering a new era of opportunity. Building on decades of growth, the region is now seeing a major boost in high‑end TV and film production.
In this panel, Lonesome Pine Productions, recently commissioned by BBC to produce The Northumbria Mysteries with Robson Green and other industry partners discuss the impact of increased drama production in the region and what it really takes to deliver premium TV and film. The conversation will also explore the current and emerging skills gaps facing production offices, and what needs to happen to ensure the North East’s drama sector continues to thrive.
Aimed at those looking to enter the industry, returners, and people transferring from other sectors, this session offers practical insight into the roles, skills and career pathways needed to take advantage of new opportunities in TV and film drama production across the North East.
16:45-17:30
Meet the Commissioners
Hear directly from a panel of TV commissioners as they discuss their commissions from the North East, what they’re actively looking for next, and how best to approach them with your pitch in an increasingly digital and competitive landscape.
Joining the discussion are representatives from the BBC and Channel 5, alongside North East Screen’s Development Director Lisa Laws, who will highlight key developments in the region, including Crown Works Studios in Sunderland and the new music venue on Gateshead Quays.
Essential viewing for producers, writers and creatives looking to understand what commissioners want – and how to get on their radar. This is a valuable opportunity to gain insight into how the current commissioning climate is evolving – and how to navigate it successfully.
⏰ Time: 11:00 am – 5:30 pm
RESGISTER FOR LIVESTREAM OF THE EVENT HERE

NEIMME Lecture: Corrosion - Super Duplex Stainless Steel in Seawater
2026-05-26 18:00 - 19:00
This talk covers corrosion of stainless steels in seawater, what goes wrong, importance of welding, and avoiding poor quality materials.
The talk addresses all the forms of corrosion that can affect stainless steels in seawater (crevice corrosion, erosion corrosion, cavitation, MIC and HISC) , and why you need super duplex for most applications. This includes some examples of what can go wrong if you pick the wrong alloy. The talk will also discuss welding duplex stainless steels and how to ensure that welds are of good quality with adequate corrosion resistance. We still see failures due to poor quality welding. Finally there have been failures of duplex stainless steels, particularly super duplex, due to poor quality, and the talk will discuss how to avoid poor quality material for a lot less than the cost of a major failure.
Dr Roger Francis has been a corrosion engineer for over 50 years. He has wide experience in the fields of marine corrosion, desalination, sour oil and gas corrosion, mineral processing, and the chemical and process industries. He has published over 100 technical papers in all these areas, particularly on copper alloys and duplex stainless steels. He has written seven books on various aspects of corrosion and has jointly edited three others. The most recent was on corrosion in desalination plants. The author has served as chair of NACE Europe, two terms as the NACE European Area director and also as chair of NACE STG 32 (Oil and Gas; metals). He was made a NACE Fellow in 2005 for his work in marine corrosion. In 2014 he received the T J Hull Award for his work in publications. In 2023 He was given the Paul McIntyre Award by ICORR in the UK for his work on corrosion standards and in educating young engineers. In 2012 he set up his own corrosion consultancy business, RFMaterials.
17:30-18:00 – Tea and Coffee
18:00-18:50 – Lecture Starts
18:50 to 19:00 – Q & A
NEIMME is the Royal Chartered membership organisation for Engineering, Science and Technology in the North.
For more information about our events and the benefits of NEIMME membership see: https://mininginstitute.org.uk/membership/
For information on IOM3 membership see: https://www.iom3.org/

NEIMME Lecture: The K Class Submarines - aka the "Kalamity Class2"
2026-05-28 18:00 - 19:00
This lecture will tell the story of the K Class submarine; its design issues, the lessons learned and remembering the many men who perished.
During World War I, it was decided to build submarines which were fast enough to keep pace with surface ships. Equipped with steam turbines to produce sufficient power, they were as large as modern nuclear submarines. The engines were a success, but the submarines were an ill-conceived concept in other regards. Geoff Horseman will describe incidents which led to these vessels becoming known as the “Kalamity Class” and an appointment as a crew member became known as joining “the Suicide Club”. Among these was a tragic event which was undisclosed for over 30 years and is not well known today. In the so-called ‘Battle of May Island’, Royal Navy ships and submarines collided at night in the Firth of Forth early in 1918, with great loss of life. In all, more than 200 men died while serving onboard the K class. This lecture will tell the story of the K Class looking at some of the design issues with the submarines, recalling lessons learned which should not be forgotten and remembering the many men who perished due to those mistakes.
Geoff Horseman joined NEI Parsons Ltd. in 1980 as a graduate trainee engineer. In 1982, he became a Design Engineer in the Steam Turbine Design Department, subsequently rising to Head of Turbine Design in 1991. Following this, in 1994, he was appointed Head of Turbine-Generator Engineering at Parsons. In 1997, Parsons became part of Siemens Power Generation with Westinghouse following in 1998. This led to Siemens Large Steam Turbine Engineering in Europe being focused primarily at two sites: Mülheim-an-der-Ruhr in Germany; and, CA Parsons Works in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Geoff was appointed Chief Turbine Engineer for the Newcastle site and a Principal Expert on Steam Turbines within Siemens globally. He continued in these roles until his retirement in 2019. Since retirement, Geoff has been working full time on documenting the Parsons history while original records still exist for preservation in museums. It was during this work that he discovered the story of the K Class submarines which he will describe in this lecture.
17:30-18:00 – Tea and Coffee
18:00-18:50 – In-person only Lecture Starts
18:50 to 19:00 – Q & A
NEIMME is the Royal Chartered membership organisation for Engineering, Science and Technology in the North.
For more information about our events and the benefits of NEIMME membership see: https://mininginstitute.org.uk/membership/
For information on IOM3 membership see: https://www.iom3.org/

Briana Corrigan
2026-10-31 19:30 - 22:30
The Common Room & Hapless Museum Worker Gigs present…Briana Corrigan, BRIT-winning former vocalist of The Beautiful South.
Briana Corrigan (The Beautiful South)
“One of the most distinctive voices in pop” – Time Out
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience an intimate, heart-warming, and joyous evening of story and song with Briana Corrigan, the iconic former vocalist of The Beautiful South.
Returning to the stage following a 10-year hiatus, Briana has already completed five hugely successful, largely sold-out tours across the UK and Ireland, and arrives with a brand-new album in the pipeline.
About the Artist
Born in Belfast, Briana’s unforgettable voice is best known for delivering The Beautiful South’s most successful single: the chart-topping, Brit Award-winning No. 1 hit, A Little Time. Her unique vocal styling, combined with Paul Heaton’s brilliantly acerbic lyrics, created an enduring anthem to broken love.
Beyond her band years, Briana has established herself as a formidable songwriter in her own right. She has released two critically acclaimed solo albums, drawing widespread praise from the music press:
“Her forte… chest-hugging, breast-beating balladry of the highest calibre.” – Q Magazine
“A songwriter of wit and elegance.” – Hot Press
“A revelation! It’s like listening to someone sing you a story. The rain outside is drifting along the glass and this is a good soundtrack to the tale of its falling.” – Melody Maker
What to Expect
Described by VOX as a voice that “could melt icebergs at 50 paces”, this is a unique chance to hear her stupendous vocals up close and personal.
Briana will lead the evening on vocals and guitar, backed by a beautifully stripped-back band featuring an additional guitarist and cellist. The setlist will pack an emotional punch, weaving together:
– Classic hits from The Beautiful South
– Her own beautifully crafted solo material
– Unique, fresh takes on traditional favourites
“Corrigan’s vocals still sparkle with gold dust.” – The Irish Independent
TICKETS ON SALE 10AM, 29TH APRIL, 2026.

INES RAE: Loud But Lonely Tour
2026-11-20 19:00 - 23:00
Get ready for unforgettable live music as the incredible Ines Rae brings her highly anticipated Loud but Lonely Tour to Newcastle!
Known for her captivating vocals and deeply relatable songwriting, Ines is set to deliver a performance that perfectly balances high-energy anthems with intimate moments.
Whether you have been a fan from the beginning or are just discovering her sound, this is your chance to experience the raw emotion and undeniable stage presence that makes her live shows so special.
