UEL to host major science festival

The British Science Association (BSA) has announced next year’s hosts of the British Science Festival: the University of East London.

Celebrating the 193rd anniversary of the festival, and working in partnership with UEL, the BSA will bring its flagship event to London for the first time since 2000.

The British Science Festival is one of Europe’s longest-running science festivals, hosted at a new location each year. It provides a platform for scientists, innovators, inventors, researchers and artists to bring their work to the general public.

Professor Amanda Broderick, UEL Vice-Chancellor and President, said,

The University of East London looks forward to being, in 2024, the first London-based institution in nearly a quarter century to host the British Science Festival. Our University is one of the most diverse and socially inclusive in UK higher education, and our home London borough of Newham is among the most multicultural, youngest and fastest growing regions in Europe.

“We share common goals with the British Science Association: To enhance engagement between science and our communities, developing citizen scientists and better connecting those under-represented in our society. Hosting the British Science Festival will allow us to offer these opportunities while showcasing the research being carried out by our University in support of a fairer and more sustainable world.

As the Chair of London Higher, I am proud of the vibrancy, variety and impact of the London scientific eco-system as a whole and welcome working with colleagues and institutions across London to celebrate the many strengths and opportunities of our global capital through the forum of the British Science Festival”.

Hannah Russell, Chief Executive of the British Science Association, said, “We’re delighted to bring the British Science Festival 2024 to London. It’s been over 20 years since the festival has been hosted in the capital – we’re excited to be returning and showcasing a range of cutting-edge science to residents in East London and beyond.

“We’re also thrilled to be hosted by such a future-focused, forward-thinking institution. UEL’s vibrant community and commitment to supporting their students and staff to have a positive impact on the world chimes extremely well with the festival’s values. We can’t wait to start working on the programme.”

UEL is home to one of the most dynamic populations in UK higher education, with more than 40,000 students representing over 160 nationalities. UEL offers research leadership in areas including sustainability, GreenTech, HealthTech and cyber and social justice, with 92 per cent of the institution’s recognised as world-leading, internationally excellent, or internationally recognised .

The British Science Festival started life as the annual meeting of the BSA in 1831, with the inaugural event taking place in York. It last visited London in 2000, and before that in 1946 for an 'abbreviated' meeting.

It aims to get people and communities who may not have an inherent interest in science, excited about the science and innovation taking place in the UK and beyond.

Celebrating the people, ideas and stories at the heart of science, the festival defines science in the broadest science. As well as the typical topics of space, the environment, health and technology, the programme will include social sciences, music, art, fashion and more.

UEL and the BSA will curate the programme, with support from partners and other stakeholders, with the aim of demonstrating the impact of science on our everyday lives in a captivating, memorable and accessible way.

Previous BSA festivals have their place in history. For example, in 1860 there the famous debate on Darwin’s then-controversial theory of evolution and in 1834, the BSA’s proceedings included the first recorded use of the word ‘scientist’.

For more information about the British Science Festival 2024 and to stay up-to-date with events as they’re announced, visit the British Science Festival website or follow the festival on Twitter and Facebook.

If you are an academic, local venue or business looking to get involved, please contact the British Science Festival team on festival@britishscienceassociation.org.