A NATIONAL science festival is to take place in Coventry and Warwickshire – and will feature ‘world-leading’ academics and family-friendly events.
The four-day British Science Festival will host an array of debates, performances and installations with a scientific twist.
Joining forces with the University of Warwick and other organisations across Coventry, the festival will shine a light on cutting-edge innovation in the region.
It will take place next year between Tuesday 10 and Saturday, September 14, with many events planned at the university’s campus.
A special one-day family festival will go ahead on Saturday, featuring a range of activities to suit young children and families.
The historic festival moves to a different location each year, the first meeting having taken place in York in 1831.
It is the first time in the festival’s history that events will be hosted in Coventry
Organisers say it 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.
Vice chancellor of the University of Warwick Stuart Croft said: “I’m delighted that the University of Warwick will be bringing the British Science Festival to our city and region in 2019.
“From designing the technology and infrastructure for autonomous vehicles to ground-breaking cancer drugs, and from the latest astrophysics discoveries to new medical treatments – Warwick is a world-leader in science innovation.
“We look forward to welcoming members of the public, businesses and researchers from across the region, the UK and further afield to our campus to learn more about our research, the breadth of the Midlands’ technological skills and the best of British science.”
Director of the festival Ivvet Modinou said: “We are delighted to be bringing the Festival to Coventry and Warwickshire in 2019.
“The University of Warwick has a fantastic reputation for its research and scientific excellence, and we’re very excited to be working with the University to create a flagship event.
“It seems especially fitting that we will be heading to Coventry next year given that the area will be the UK City of Culture in three years’ time.”
Organisers say the festival is aimed at an adult audience with a broad but non-specialist interest in science.
They hope to deliver 100 events, specially curated by the British Science Association.
World-leading academics from the University of Warwick and other institutions and organisations across the UK will present, discuss and debate topics from across scientific disciplines.
