Ideas in Bloom: PhD Talks in the Library at University Arms

An informal monthly evening of ideas, drinks, and conversation with Cambridge PhD researchers at University Arms. What happens when academic research leaves the lecture hall and enters the bar? Ideas in Bloom is an informal evening series hosted in the Library at University Arms, Cambridge. Once a month, a PhD researcher or recent graduate shares the thinking behind their thesis, not through slides and jargon, but through story, insight, and conversation. Each event includes: • A 20–30 minute accessible talk • An open Q&A and audience discussion • Informal mingling over drinks afterwards Whether you are a Cambridge local, a visitor, a hotel guest, or simply curious, this is a space designed for listening, asking questions, and discovering something new. No prior expertise required, only curiosity. In this talk: Influencing the IUD: Why social media has changed the way we think about contraception Rebecca Siddall, a PhD researcher at Anglia Ruskin University and University of Cambridge alumna, explores how TikTok, Instagram, and Youtube videos have sparked a birth control backlash, with usage rates dropping rapidly. While at first glance this trend may simply appear to be misinformation gone wild, Rebecca reveals its little-known backstory, which challenges traditional political divides and raises pressing questions about patriarchy, medical misogyny, and white supremacy.