10 reasons to go to the British Science Festival in Liverpool

There’s just two weeks to go before the British Science Festival takes over the city.

Hosted at a different location each year, it’s Europe’s longest-running science festival. The Festival will give you the opportunity to connect with scientists and social scientists, innovators and inventors, researchers and artists, and get involved in, and inspired by, their fascinating work.

A true celebration of science in all forms, this Festival, organised by the British Science Association, is in its 194th year. This is its first time in Liverpool since 2008, and it’s hosted in partnership with the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University.

The Festival takes over Liverpool from Wednesday, September 10 to Sunday, September 14 and it’s going to be an amazing week of 100+ events. 

Here’s 10 reasons why you should book.

First of all, it’s free!

The British Science Festival celebrates the people, stories, and ideas at the heart of science. It’s something that affects every one of us every hour of every day, and you can go to all the events that make up the Festival completely free of charge!

Something for everyone

There are more than 100 FREE events, from comedy shows to art installations, and dynamic performances to hands-on workshops, fascinating talks to interactive experiences, so there’s bound to be something for you.

It’ll get you thinking

Get to grips with some of the biggest, most important and weirdest questions at the heart of science in the Festival’s talks, panels, debates and discussions. Can we design an internet for animals? What’s in our water and should we be worried? Are junk food companies advertising on digital gaming platforms impacting kids’ health? What’s next for weight loss jabs? How do we make better decisions about the future? Come and hear top scientists and speak to them about their work.

Shining a spotlight on the city

The Festival takes place at iconic cultural venues across both university campuses, the docks and city centre, with locations including Bluecoat, Kazimier Gardens, Liverpool ONE, Quirky Quarter, and the Victoria Gallery and Museum. Loads of local community groups and charities are taking part, as well as researchers from both universities and others across the UK. From an exploration of Liverpool’s urban wildlife with LJMU biologists, to a drop-in with the team behind the Liverpool City Region Space Partnership, there’s a ton to learn and discover about our city – down on earth and in the stars!

Names you’ll know

At this year’s British Science Festival in Liverpool there are some top names like influencer and bionic arm ambassador Tilly Lockey, leading geneticist Giles Yeo, and Time Team genealogist Sophie Kay. Earth Scientist Anjana Khatwa, mathematician Kit Yates, archaeologist Flint Dibble, and engineer Sir Robin Saxby are also among the well-known speakers.

The art of science

Artwork made from hundreds of human teeth and a photography installation that unearths the hidden beauty of fungi are more of the Festival’s highlights. There’s also a carnival style dance performance exploring freedom and flight that will take place in Liverpool Cathedral, beneath the Liverpool Biennial installation by visual artist Maria Loizidou.

Liverpool universities’ talks and walks

There are dozens of intriguing events by our two leading unis that bring science to life, including:

* A city centre walking tour uncovering connections between science and slavery in Liverpool

* A collaborative mapping of Liverpool’s music scene

* A talk and creative workshop exploring the beginnings of human language and how this might help us in the search for aliens

* A panel discussion on how sports scientists are fuelling top-level performance at Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs.

* An evening of performances on perceptions and illusions at Quirky Quarter

Prepare to be entertained

We’re far from the days of school science textbooks. The Festival has a ton of lively performances and surprising experiences that you can get involved with, from ‘Wake up and rave!’ – a morning dance experience at the Museum of Liverpool – to MOONFACE, a clowning performance that explores the space-race and colonial, capitalist mining of the solar system. Check out rapper and science communicator Jon Chase, as he street busks with a dinosaur theme to coincide with the new Jurassic World movie.  See what we mean about there being something you’ll love?

Experimental comedy

A scientist and a comedian walk into a bar… 

Who said science couldn’t make you laugh? You can enjoy a line-up of fantastic science comedians for an evening of absolutely zero chill on Friday, September 12, compered by the hilarious Freya McGhee.

Building on innovation – creating opportunities, and inspiring future scientists

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, says: “Building on the region’s history of innovation, I’m working to make our area a research and development powerhouse, forging ahead with new developments in health and life sciences, artificial intelligence and a wide range of other areas. 

“Inclusive events like this are perfect opportunities to capture the imagination of the next generation and get them interested in the sciences. I hope that in years to come, there’s a Nobel Prize winner looking back at Liverpool’s time hosting the British Science Festival as the catalyst that set them on that path!”

To book and find out more go to the British Science Festival website here.

Find out the latest in Liverpool here.

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