External events and activities

Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the British Academy, Being Human is the UK’s only national festival of the humanities. In November each year the festival brings together universities, museums, galleries, archives, independent research organisations, community and commercial partners to make research in the humanities accessible to non-specialist audiences and demonstrate its relevance to our everyday lives. There are also grants available – ranging from £2,000 to £4,000 – to support selected engagement activities. Find out how you can get involved.

Based at the Birmingham NEC, The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair an annual celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people in the UK. The event features a combination of theatre shows, exhibits, careers information and interactive workshops. Topics have ranged from virtual reality, robots, edible science, operating theatre experiences, and how animals communicate – it’s open to all STEM-related content. They’re especially looking for activities aimed at 7 – 9 year-olds that will get them hands on with STEM. Learn more about how to get involved.

Brighton Science Festival hopes to make science exciting for everyone, but particularly aims to appeal to 12 – 14 year olds. There are Family Fun days that focus specifically on opportunities for both parents and children to play, experiment and share experiences. The festival features talks, hands-on activities and demonstrations from science communication experts. Events have previously ranged from physics poetry and an art lab exploring volcanoes to engagement activities around forensics, recycling and Alzheimer’s.

Find out more about Brighton Science Festival and ways to take part.

The British Science Festival is Europe’s longest standing science Festival, traveling to a different place in the United Kingdom each autumn. The Festival aims to connect people with scientists, engineers, technologists and social scientists.

Each year, they bring an inspiring programme of free events to the public over four or five days. Their talks, workshops and drop-in events span a diverse range of subjects that encompass science in the broadest sense – from agriculture, engineering, medicine and astronomy to social policy and the history of science – aimed at all ages. Event proposals typically encourage drop-in formats and creative activities. There are community grants available to encourage local exhibitors. Learn more.

The annual Cambridge Festival takes place over the course of a month in March/April and celebrates the world-leading research happening at Cambridge University. The festival includes a mixture of over 350 events, such as panel discussions, film premiers, and interactive family activities. These activities cover a wide range of topics across science and the arts, humanities and social sciences. Find out more.

Edinburgh International Science Festival is a two-week annual event that aims to inspire people from all ages and background to discover the world of science. The festival organisers also run a touring programme that visits schools across Scotland throughout the rest of the year.

The diverse programme features events for adults such as talks and debates, comedy and theatre, film screenings, as well as dedicated activities, performances and play sessions for families and young people. In recent years, each festival has had a theme around which events are curated. Last year’s event engaged over 360,000 people, young and old, both in the UK and abroad. Learn more.

Each year over 14,000 members of the public of all ages, including 2,500 school students, visit the Summer Science Exhibition. Many more are reached through coverage on TV, in the media and online.

Among other reasons to exhibit, the exhibition provides opportunities to raise the profile of your research and institution with key influencers, including potential funders, government and the public. They welcome proposals from researchers in academia, industry and in between, as long as the project lead is UK-based. Exhibits tend to range across a diverse range of topics, with previous exhibits exploring anything from quantum computing to dinosaurs to mental health and climate change. The annual Exhibition typically takes place in July, with calls for proposals running from June to September. Find out more about exhibiting.

The annual science festival in Cheltenham attracts over 13,500 visitors to see scientists, thinkers and comedians help answer some of the ‘big questions’. There are interactive zones, workshops and hands-on activities, talks and debates with high profile speakers, and maker events suitable for all ages. The annual science communications competition FameLab is also hosted there. Discover more about The Cheltenham Science Festival.

Managed by the British Science Association, the UK Science Festival Network unites, celebrates and supports science festivals across the UK. Its members range from small science-related events to large specialist festivals run throughout the year. Visit their website to find out more.

W12 Festival takes place in Wormholt Park on the first Saturday of September. It celebrates the colourful diversity,  dynamic community spirit and vibrant culture of White City. Engage in meaningful conversations, share laughter, and create memories anchored in mutual respect and shared experiences. During the past four festivals over 3,500 people have attended. This is a chance to connect, learn and share with communities on our doorstep.

If you are interested in taking part, e-mail the Community Engagement team to discuss your involvement. 

FameLab is a science communications competition designed to engage and entertain. Contestants from around the world take part armed only with their wits and a few props – the result is an unpredictable, enlightening and exciting way to encourage your curiosity.

Pint of Science is an annual worldwide science festival which brings researchers to a local pub/cafe/space to share their scientific discoveries with the public. With over 20,000 attendees in the United Kingdom across 450 events in towns and cities up and down the country. 

If you would like to be part of the organising team, or deliver a talk as part of the event, fill out the contact form or e-mail the central Pint of Science team.

Lates is one of the Science Museum’s biggest events, staged on the last Wednesday of each month (except December) and themed around a science-related subject. It’s free and attracts around 4,000 visitors over the course of each night. The Museum offers researchers the opportunity to run an event with lots of very keen and eager-to-learn adults. In some cases they may be able to offer some financial assistance to help support your event too.

Find out how to be a part of the Museum's Lates programme and their upcoming event themes.

Soapbox Science is grass-roots science outreach organisation that brings cutting edge research onto urban streets whilst also promoting the visibility of women in science. They place inspirational speakers on soapboxes and encourage them to engage in and start conversations with the public about their work. Find out more.

The Brilliant Club is an award-winning charity that exists to increase the number of pupils from under-represented backgrounds progressing to highly-selective universities. They do this by mobilising the PhD community to share its academic expertise with state schools.

I’m a Scientist and I'm an Engineer are online public engagement events that get scientists and engineers talking to school students all over the UK about STEM. Scientists and engineers develop their communication skills, gain a fresh perspective on their work, and find out what young people think about STEM and what STEM professionals do. 

Apply to take part on the I'm a Scientist and I'm an Engineer webpages.

STEM Ambassadors are volunteers from a wide range of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related jobs and disciplines across the UK. They offer their time and enthusiasm to help bring STEM subjects to life and demonstrate the value of them in life and careers. 

Ri Masterclasses are a series of six weekly workshops where students can explore mathematics and computer science outside the confines of the classroom, through hands-on extra-curricular workshops. Ri Masterclass volunteers are enthusiastic about STEM enrichment and inspiring students to achieve their potential. 

Time commitments vary with Masterclasses volunteers, from helpers and speakers coming in on occasional Saturdays to supervisors attending a whole series.

Find out more about The Royal Institution volunteering opportunities on their 'Work with us' webpage.

The Conversation is an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered direct to the public.

Their team of professional editors work with university and research institute experts to unlock their knowledge for use by the wider public. Their aim is to allow for better understanding of current affairs and complex issues, and hopefully allow for a better quality of public discourse and conversations.

To be published by The Conversation you must be currently employed as a researcher or academic with a university or research institution. PhD candidates under supervision by an academic can write for the publication too.