The Festival will focus on an audience of non-specialist adults with a broad interest in science, delivering 100 events, specially curated by the British Science Association. World-leading academics from University of Hull and other institutions and organisations across the UK will present, discuss and debate cutting-edge science (across the scientific spectrum including technology, engineering and social sciences) at a range of different events, from talks to performances.
This year’s festival, currently taking place in Brighton, included University of Hull volcanologist and lecturer Dr Rebecca Williams, who delivered the prestigious Charles Lyell Award Lecture for Environmental Sciences based on her pioneering research into deadly volcanic clouds.
Also earlier this week, the likes of broadcaster Lauren Laverne were among those hosting events – showing the breadth of appetite for engagement in science beyond an academic audience.
The Festival has been the stage for many iconic moments in history – such as the famous debate on Darwin’s controversial theory of evolution between Thomas Huxley and the Bishop of Oxford in 1860. It also saw the first use of the word ‘scientist,’ in 1834.
The origins of the Festival, previously known as the annual meeting, can be traced back to York, in 1831. Since then it has travelled the globe, including visits to Montreal and Australia.