Whether you are looking to advance your scientific knowledge or just need an excuse to go the pub on a school night, Science in the Pub, a new event for this year's Falmouth Spring Festival, will offer fun, stimulating and free interactive talks run by leading academics from the University of Exeter that will entertain and inspire.

So, grab yourself a drink and join scientists from the Penryn Campus for a light-hearted look at some of the things you perhaps didn’t know at a number of pubs across town.

The first event will be at the Pennycomequick, Killigrew Street, at 6pm on March 20, animal behaviour aficionados Professors Andy Russell and Alastair Wilson will explore how animals are able to adapt in an ever-changing world. From nature to nurture, mothers to mutations, join us to discover the influences which govern who we are.

A 5 Degrees West on March 21, Dr Katie Shanks will discuss the role of renewables in meeting the energy demands of rural communities, while at he Jacobs Ladder the next night bio-scientist Dr Anna Hughes will ask "why do zebras have stripes? She is researching this long-standing puzzle and will explain how, surprisingly, brightly painted battle ships and biting flies are helping scientists to provide answers to this question.

On March 27, Beerwolf Books will be the venue for archaeologist Alice Williams' talk on technology in Cornwall through the ages. She will talk about prehistoric archaeology and the tools that were used from the Neolithic through to the Iron Age.

The Working Boat on March 28 will host Dr Anne Leonard as she takes a unique approach to the serious topic of antibiotic resistant bacteria. By analysing rectal swabs from surfers, she is getting to the bottom of whether antibiotic resistant bacteria in the sea are getting into surfers’ guts.

Falmouth BID manager, Richard Wilcox, said: “Each year we are always looking for new and exciting ways to broaden the reach and appeal of our festivals. Science in the Pub perfectly fits the bill for the Spring Festival and I’m delighted that the University of Exeter and numerous pub venues are supporting the idea.

"The Spring Festival has a really exciting schedule this year and is seen by many as a colourful and vibrant way to welcome in the spring.”

Matthew Creasey, PhD researcher at the University of Exeter, who has helped organise the events, added: “Science in the Pub is a great way to engage the community with science in a fun and interactive way.”

As a volunteer with the Cornwall branch of the British Science Association, increasing public participation in science is an ambition he shares with the university. Matthew also helps to run the British Science Association’s monthly Café Scientifique at The Poly.

The full Falmouth Spring Festival schedule and details can be viewed online at falmouth.co.uk.