Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a comedy show, TED talk, and a social mixer! Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand, there is an entirely optional social game. Drinks, food, learning new and fascinating things, making friends with other nerds, we’ve got it all!
Our Speed Friending social game starts at 6:30, and then the big nerds hit the stage at 7:30. If you have a topic you are passionate about and you’d like to be a speaker at a later event, get in touch at pittsburgh@nerdnite.com! This event will feature the following presentations:
City Steps of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is home to one of the more unique infrastructure networks in the world: hundreds of sets of municipal steps scattered across every corner of the city. Local author Matthew Jacob will present on the history and current state of Pittsburgh's city steps. Matthew is a coauthor of the book City Steps of Pittsburgh: A History and Guide. This talk will discuss over a hundred years of Pittsburgh history, historical resources used to research the book, and current-day challenges and advocacy for the city steps.
Matthew worked at the City of Pittsburgh for nearly 10 years, documenting and mapping not just city steps but also bridges, walls, parks, playgrounds, and the city's entire trail network. Matthew also runs the Instagram account PGH Steps. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Temple University and a Master's in Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Currently, Matthew works at Pittsburgh Water and is working on a forthcoming book about Pittsburgh's Parks, Playgrounds, and Trails.
Failing Upwards: A Century of Robots
Robots are having a moment: after decades of underperforming, at least by the standards of Hollywood sci-fi, their capabilities are catching up in both promising and perilous ways. Tom Lauwers, a roboticist in Pittsburgh for the last 25 years, has had a front-row seat in this latest chapter of (more capable) robots. He’ll sketch out the longer history of robotics, and then focus in on some of the failures and successes he’s been a part of in the last quarter century.
Tom is the founder of BirdBrain Technologies, an educational robotics company that makes the Finch Robot and Hummingbird Robotics Kit. The Finch is a robot designed to inspire those learning computer science by providing a tangible representation of their code. The Hummingbird is a kit that allows students to create and program robots built with arts & crafts materials. Both products were developed at CMU’s CREATE Lab as part of Tom’s Ph.D. work. Tom lives in Squirrel Hill with his wife, two kids, two birds, and a small army of robots. He would be an invaluable ally in a robot uprising.
A Deep Dive Into Disney Adults
It's always "What is a Disney Adult?" and never "Why is a Disney Adult?"
A wave of self-proclaimed Disney Adults are on the rise, with an increasing number of Generations X-Z becoming devotees of the House of Mouse. Parks report that as many as two thirds of annual visitors are adults from families without children, and franchise spending is at an all-time high. This talk will explore the psychological, sociological, and cultural factors contributing to the fascinating phenomenon of Disney Adults. We'll examine the term's origins and qualifying criteria, tour various subcultures, and uncover the lore behind the fandom's most extreme behaviors. PS: Disney Adults are more than welcome – this ain't a diss track, it's a dissertation.
Caroline Fisher is a storyteller and strategist who has spent her career working in marketing for Fortune 500 companies, tech startups, award-winning ad agencies, nonprofits, and more. She feels solidly neutral about the Disneyverse in general, and wants the Disney Adults to know she comes in peace. She has been fascinated by this particular topic for years, and has studied it with what can only be described as an academic fervor. Her dream is to become a documentary filmmaker someday.
WTF is Speed Friending?!
Our social game will take place before the show from 6:30-7:30. It’s kind of like speed dating, but the idea is that you’re trying to make new friends. If you’re trying to get to know more folks in the area, there’s really nothing like it. It’s fun, easy, and moderated by our friendly crew of nerds.
A web application will direct you to a new potential friend in the room every five minutes, and our team can provide you with icebreakers and conversation topics if you’re feeling shy. It’s a fun, low-stakes way to meet new people and connect with the nerds and humans of Pittsburgh.
If you’re late, no problem, you can always join the next round. Similarly, you can sign out of the web app early if you want to stop. Speed friending is a totally optional part of the event, and you can also just hang out and grab a beer or some pizza (Spirit has phenomenal pizza) while other folks are participating in the game.
Thursday August 27, 2026
at Spirit Hall
6-10pm
$10 | 21+
Important Info
This event is 21+ and requires ID. The venue has limited space, and there may not be door sales if we sell out, which happens regularly. Be sure to get a ticket before heading over.