What To Expect At The British Science Festival 2024
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3 weeks ago
STEM fans unite
It’s almost time for the return of Europe’s oldest annual science festival. Here’s everything you need to know about the British Science Festival, plus what to expect in 2024.
What Is The British Science Festival?
The British Science Festival is an annual celebration of science and its evolving role in technology, hosted by the British Science Association. Held over five days at a different UK location each year, the Festival brings together scientists and researchers along with the general public to explore various fascinating scientific topics (from cutting-edge research to future trends in science and technology) through lectures, discussions, workshops, and interactive exhibits.
Dating back to 1831, the British Science Festival is Europe’s longest-standing science festival. While it has naturally changed over the years, the core ethos remains the same: to shout about amazing scientific discoveries and research, and to connect the general public with scientists, engineers, technologists, psychologists and more. Major scientific advancements have been announced across the centuries, from Joule’s experiments on the mechanical equivalent of heat in the 1840s to J.J. Thomson’s discovery of the electron in 1899, to the term ‘dinosaur’ being used and even the term ‘scientist’ being coined.
The British Science Festival is still – and always has been – all about making science accessible and engaging for everyone, so you can expect plenty of content to be enjoyed across backgrounds and age groups (so long as you’re over 16).
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What’s On In 2024
More than 100 free events will run across the five-day Festival of Science, with social media sensation Big Manny headlining – with UEL his alma mata. Other headline events include:
- A talk with Drag Race UK star Cheddar Gorgeous (aka Dr Michael Atkins) discussing the role of AI in the arts
- A panel of ex-Olympic athletes: Dame Katherine Grainger, Diane Modahl and Kelly Sotherton
- An augmented reality installation championing Black scientists
- The Sonic Spider, a gigantic spider-inspired musical instrument
- A talk hosted by the Guardian’s Science Weekly podcast
- Question Time with the BBC’s Sky at Night
- A genetics themed bingo night
See the full line up of events at britishsciencefestival.org
‘We’re excited to bring the British Science Festival to East London this year,’ says James Brown, Director of the British Science Festival. ‘We’re really lucky to be in a part of the country where so much has happened over the past few years – there’s so much innovation, creativity and passion.
‘There are some brilliant events on the programme this year – truly something for everyone,’ James adds. ‘We’re delighted to be able to showcase some of the fantastic research going on around the UK, and particularly coming out of the University of East London. We can’t wait for Festival go-ers to be able to celebrate the people, ideas and stories at the heart of science.’
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When?
In 2024, the Festival will take place from Wednesday 11 September until Sunday 15 September.
Where?
In 2024, the British Science Festival will be held in London in partnership with the University of East London. Locations include the Docklands Campus, the Stratford Campus, and key venues across Stratford. In September 2025, the British Science Festival will head to Liverpool thanks to a partnership with the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University.
‘We’re delighted to bring the British Science Festival 2024 to London,’says Hannah Russell, Chief Executive of the British Science Association. ‘It’s been over 20 years since the Festival has been hosted in the capital – we’re excited to be returning and showcasing a range of cutting-edge science to residents in East London. We’re also thrilled to be hosted by such a future-focused, forward-thinking institution. UEL’s vibrant community and commitment to supporting their students and staff to have a positive impact on the world chimes extremely well with Festival’s values.’
In 2023, Exeter hosted the Festival, while in 2022 the Festival was held in Leicester and at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford in 2021, postponed from the cancelled 2020 festival.
DISCOVER
Learn more about the British Science Festival and plan your trip at britishsciencefestival.org
