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Lee Berger on the astounding tale ofÌýHomo naledi – Emily Wilson, Editor

Everything we thought we knew about early human history is being torn up and thrown out right now, so the talk I’m most looking forward to is . But I’m also very keen not to miss Megan Rossi on our microbiomes, Avi Loeb for the extraordinary things he says about aliens, and also Paul Davies’s take on the fundamental nature of life itself.ÌýGet 15% off your ticket with New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ editor

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Dr Alice Roberts on the story of how humans left Africa to colonise the world – Conrad Quilty-Harper, Digital editor

I’m most excited about seeing , who has just finished making a landmark . In the series Alice Roberts explores the latest insights into the colonisation of the globe by our ancient forebears and explains how they adapted to a huge range of different environments, learning to live everywhere – from tropical forests and temperate shorelines to the high Arctic. Get 15% off your ticket withÌý

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Avi Loeb’s talk about the hunt for alien life – Penny Sarchet, News editor

Most of all, I’m looking forward to seeing so many of the scientists who regularly appear in our articles. Like Emily, I’m excited that Lee Berger is coming from South Africa to talk about how his discoveries are rewriting the story of human evolution, and that – both are unmissable. Astrophysicist Michele Bannister will be talking about objects from outer space. I can’t wait to hear her thoughts on the recently discovered interstellar comet that appears to be racing towards us. I’m excited to hear Caroline Criado Perez discuss gender data bias and to buy a signed copy of her important book Invisible Women. And I’ll be chairing a panel discussion on the future of healthcare, from genomic medicine to AI, in what should be a really thought-provoking session. Get 15% off your ticket with

Real life Iron Man Sam Rogers – Graham Lawton, Staff feature writer

The Main Stage is always amazing, and day one has a real buzz about it. Fortunately, I’m guaranteed a seat because I’m hosting it. So here’s my practice run at bigging up its speakers: please put your hands together for the brilliant and uplifting Factfulness author Ola Rosling, ,Ìýthe superhuman Rowan Hooper and, last but not least, climate change hero Christiana Figueres in conversation with my colleague Adam Vaughan. It’s going to set the bar for the rest of the show. Get 15% off your ticket withÌý

Angela Saini on the return of racist ideas in mainstream science – Lilian Anekwe, Social media editor

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I’m looking forward to interviewing the on the Engineering Stage on Sunday. Her article on the racism problem in population genetics that is encouraging the subtle return of racist ideas in mainstream science – an argument she thoroughly, eloquently and compellingly expands in her book Superior– prompted huge debate among our audience on social media earlier this year. I’m sure it will among New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ Live attendees too. Hope to see you there! Get 15% off your tickets withÌý

Election influencing bots that run riot on social media – Timothy Revell, Assistant news editor

I’m already buzzing like a micro-drone for this year’s New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ Live. I’ll be hosting the Technology Stage, which is packed with talks you won’t want to miss. Here are my top three tips. and Mike Cook will reveal the bots that run riot across social media, from those that try to influence elections to those that inject whimsy. Rumour has it, the pair are making a New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ-flavoured bot to show off at the event too. Chloe Duckworth is also bringing her own tech to her talk, though it’s a little more old school. She’ll give a step-by-step guide on how to recreate ancient technologies, such as stone tools, to work how our ancestors did the same. Finally, you’ll want to be there when Australian TV legend Dr Karl tells us why artificial intelligence, 3D printing, genetics and medical engineering are all game-changing technologies. Get 15% off your tickets withÌý