Big Manny to headline British Science Festival

Alright Boom! With Big Manny and the Royal Institution

Big Manny, whose real name is Emmanuel Wallace, boasts 1.5 million Instagram followers and has garnered over 30 million likes on TikTok. His videos, famous for featuring fiery experiments and the occasional sheep organ, make science relatable, giving the vital facts and figures behind his eye-catching experiments.

This year, Big Manny will team up with the Royal Institution (Ri) - an organisation at the forefront of public science demonstrations since the 1800s - to bring stunning explosions to the British Science Festival. Manny and the Ri team will guide the audience through the bangs and booms at Stratford Old Town Hall on Sunday, 15 September.

Big Manny has just published his first book for children, “Science Is Lit”, and has appeared on TV shows, including Blue Peter.

“I’m so proud to be on the British Science Festival programme – headlining my first science festival – and even more pleased that it’s being hosted at the university I attended and kickstarted my journey as a science communicator.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the Royal Institution and bringing my science to east Londoners live. East London is a melting pot of creativity as well as being a supportive community of people from all walks of life. The British Science Festival is the perfect event for Stratford, the Docklands and the surrounds and I’m looking forward to being at the heart of the event.”

The winning edge: how elite athletes get to the top of the podium

Since the success of the Lionesses at Euro 2022, more attention has been paid to women’s sport in the UK. However, the disparities between the pay, infrastructure and research dedicated to men’s and women’s sport persist.

The importance of research into women’s health and performance in the world of sport will take centre stage at this year’s British Science Festival. A headline panel event features three former Olympian women. The athletes will explore the challenges they have faced in their careers, their journey to success, and hopes for the next generation of women and girls entering elite sport.

On the panel are three-time Olympic Heptathlon medallist Kelly Sotherton MBE; Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Diane Modahl MBE; and 2012 Olympic gold medallist Dame Katherine Grainger DBE.

Moderating will be Ali Donnelly, CEO at More than Equal, an organisation dedicated to levelling the playing field for women in motorsports, founded by Karel Komarek and former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard.

This panel discussion takes place on the opening day of the British Science Festival, Wednesday, 11 September, at UEL’s Docklands campus.

James Brown, Director of the British Science Festival, said,

"We’re excited to bring the British Science Festival to east London this year. We’re really lucky to be in a part of the country where so much has happened over the past few years – there’s so much innovation, creativity and passion.

“There are some brilliant events on the programme – truly something for everyone. You can explore an augmented reality installation championing Black scientists, get hands-on with a gigantic spider-inspired musical instrument (Sonic Spider), immerse yourself in live recordings of the Guardian’s Science Weekly podcast and the BBC’s Sky at Night, go to a genetics-themed Bingo night, and so much more.

We’re delighted to be able to showcase some of the fantastic research going on around the UK, and particularly coming out of UEL. We can’t wait for Festival goers to be able to celebrate the people, ideas and stories at the heart of science.”

Professor Amanda Broderick, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of East London, said,

“The University of East London, one of the UK’s most diverse and inclusive higher education institutions, is pleased to bring the British Science Festival to Newham, one of the fastest-growing, youngest and most multicultural areas in Europe. The Festival is a culmination of our own months-long tribute to a “Year of Science”, and I can think of no better way to celebrate science and how it affects every part of our lives than by facilitating engagement and connection among our communities.

“The British Science Festival will also showcase our University’s world-class research, which is helping create a fairer, healthier and more sustainable world. UEL researchers will be sharing their impactful work on a range of topics, including health and social care, psychology, future technology and the environment, the outcomes of which directly benefit our local and global communities.

“We look forward to welcoming and inspiring Festival attendees.”

The British Science Festival is an annual celebration of science, technology and innovation which travels to a new location each year. This year marks the first visit to London since 2000.

The Festival brings pioneering researchers to share their work with audiences through talks, activities, interactive events, installations and performances.

There is a range of ticketed and drop-in events. All events are free to attend and can be booked on the British Science Association website.