Three presenters share a topic they are NERDY about while the audience shares a drink. Nerd Nite’s next show is on June 11th and this Nerd Nite is going to be an absolute banger!! From airborne allergens to backyard bullies and the cutting edge of pollen science—this Nerd Nite has it all! (Soon to be Dr) Kira Hughes will reveal how weighing the air (yes, really) could help us monitor pollen in real time and save lives during thunderstorm asthma events. Dr Jacinta Humphrey will take us into the surprisingly dramatic world of suburban bird politics, where the noisy miner is muscling out our feathered friends. And Sex with Lex is back! Talking about all things sex, intimacy and kink! Grab a beer, grab some friends, and join us at Howler! Kira Hughes Weighing the Air to Fight Asthma Description: Australia has a pollen problem, and if you suffer from hay fever and/or asthma (like me), you’re probably sick of pollen too. Not only does it trigger frustrating symptoms like itchy eyes and runny noses, but it's behind deadly thunderstorm asthma events that plague the sky (and the morning news) every time spring rolls around. While we can’t get rid of pollen forever, we can get better at monitoring it by simply weighing the air…yes I’m not kidding. Hear me talk about my innovative device that combines immunology, chemistry, and a scale to create the world’s first real-time pollen sensor. Bio: Kira has done a bit of everything. When she wasn’t crying in the lab during her PhD, you’d find her teaching biomed students to not set themselves on fire, speaking at high schools about how cool science is, coordinating marketing campaigns for research institutes, coaching researchers on how to talk good, performing silly jokes at comedy festivals, or even while scrolling through your social feed. We don’t even remember inviting her to Nerd Nite… Socials: Youtube, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky: @KiraETSA Jacinta Humphrey The new bully on the block Description: You’ve heard their calls while hanging out the washing. You’ve seen them on your morning dog walk. Maybe you’ve even been swooped yourself. I’m talking, of course, about the new bully on the block – the noisy miner. Loud, bossy and fiercely territorial, noisy miners are gradually taking over our suburbs and pushing the smaller, more timid birds out. Come along to discover the secret to the noisy miner’s success, learn how you can help stop the hostile takeover, and uncover the true villain in this story (spoiler alert: it’s not who you think! ). Bio: Jacinta was one of those kids that grew up OBSESSED with animals. You know, the ones who watched The Lion King 600 times and tried to communicate telepathically with dogs – that kind of obsessed. She may have moved on from canine telepathy, but Jacinta still loves animals. Today, she works as an Urban Ecologist and spends her time thinking about how to make our cities and suburbs better for native wildlife. Socials: Instagram: @jacintahumphrey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacinta-humphrey-urban-ecologist/ Lex Nyree Kink 101: Power, Play & Pleasure Description: Talking all things kink, we will explore the wonderful world of kink including power dynamics, pleasure & consensual play. Bio: Lex is a sex and kink educator based in Naarm. With a background in youth and social work, she’s passionate about reducing stigma and normalising the more taboo sides of sexuality—especially kink. Currently completing her Master of Sexology, Lex focuses on inclusive, consent-forward sex education that’s accessible to everyone. Outside of study, she collaborates online with fellow sexologists and volunteers at local events to provide free, affirming education in sex-positive spaces. Socials: Instagram: @sexwithlexmelb VENUE INFO Howler Bar & Grill The kitchen will be serving a full menu from 5pm till late including vegan and vegetarian options. You can view the delicious offerings available by clicking here. Booking are not essential but recommended here. Accessibility Howler is Accessible. Both Garden and Theatre are 100% accessible for patrons including a central restroom and easy curbside access for car services. This venue accepts companion cards. Simply purchase your ticket and contact Moshtix to arrange access for your Companion. Parking A park and ride, council operated carpark is located immediately outside of Howler's doors. Public Transport Howler is conveniently located just a two minute walk from both the Route 19 Coburg tram (stop 21), and Jewel train station on the Upfield line. Bicycle We adjoin the Upfield Bike Path and have many designated bike parks on site.