The British Science Festival is taking place in Leicester this week – the first time the event has been hosted by the East Midlands for over 20 years.
The national science showcase, taking place between Tuesday, September 13 and Saturday, September 17, is being hosted this year by the city’s De Montfort University (DMU).
More than 100 free, engaging and ‘off-the-wall installations, performances and activities will be held on the university’s campus, as well as at venues across the city.
It is the first time the event is being held in the East Midlands for over twenty years, said Antonio Benitez, Director of the British Science Festival.
“I am delighted that the British Science Festival will be heading to De Montfort University in 2022. The University has built a fantastic reputation for its research and scientific excellence over recent years, and it’s incredibly exciting to know that we will be working with the world-class researchers and academics based there to produce the programme,” he added.
“I am thrilled that we will be able to bring the British Science Festival back to the region after such a long time away – Leicester and the East Midlands region have made some amazing contributions to science and innovation – and it is so exciting that we will be able to showcase some of this cutting-edge work to the people and communities living in the area.”
As a principal partner of the festival, the University of Leicester is behind a series of events, which cover topics including space, skeletons, DNA and genes.
They include a talk by Professor Richard Ambrosi, Executive Director, Space Park Leicester, and Dr Sarah Casewell from the School of Physics & Astronomy, who will discuss what the future has in store for the UK’s space economy in Future of UK Space Science. This is set to take place on Thursday, September 15, at 12 noon at The Venue, DMU.
Other highlights of the festival, include a chance for people to get a guided tour of the lungs, and find out what the insides of these essential organs look like, at a free drop in event. This is taking place between 11-4pm on Saturday (September 17), at the city’s Humberstone Gate.
Scientists on stilts will also be walking about on the day, with the intention of having scientific chats with anyone who has high ambitions to learn more about science.
Another highlight on Saturday, is Jon Chase a scientist and science rapper, who will be “weaving science, rhymes and beats” before spectator’s eyes.
The British Science Festival is one of Europe’s largest science festivals and regularly attracts hundreds of the UK’s top scientists and speakers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public.
The full British Science Festival 2022 programme line-up, can be found at: https://britishsciencefestival.org/
