The British Science Association, founders of the British Science Festival, has announced an exciting and diverse programme of events, lectures and interactive sessions for the 194th annual celebration of science, running in Liverpool from 10-14 September 2025.
From comedy shows to art installations, dynamic performances to hands-on workshops, insightful talks to interactive experiences, the British Science Festival programme features over 100 free events with something for everyone to enjoy.
Booking is OPEN now via www.britishsciencefestival.org
The programme includes talks by influencer and Bionic Arm ambassador Tilly Lockey, leading geneticist Professor Giles Yeo, and Time Team genealogist Sophie Kay; artwork made from thousands of human teeth; plus a carnival style dance performance on the theme of migratory birds.
Earth Scientist Anjana Khatwa, mathematician Kit Yates, and engineer Robin Saxby are also among the speakers lined up for this year's event.
The University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, in partnership with the British Science Association, are bringing this flagship event to the city of Liverpool for the first time since 2008.
The Festival celebrates science in all its varied forms, including health and sport, space, forensics, animals and nature, psychology and lots more.
From the 10 - 14 September 2025, the Festival takes place at cultural venues across Liverpool city centre, the docks and university campuses.
Many of the Festival's events sees scientists working in collaboration with local community groups, collectives and creatives. This year's Festival also includes two co-commissioned performances in partnership with the Liverpool Biennial of Contemporary Art exploring the theme of 'BEDROCK'.
Highlights from the University of Liverpool's programme
The University of Liverpool offers a diverse and thought-provoking programme of events and activities, many of which are linked to our research frontiers and interdisciplinary efforts to address urgent global challenges - including through our new Interdisciplinary Centre for Sustainability Research
Highlights include an exploration of the science behind a night out, the opportunity to meet a Robot Artist, and a city centre walking tour uncovering connections between science and slavery in Liverpool. This programme offers a unique opportunity to engage with important themes through the lens of research and innovation.
Highlights from the rest of the programme include:
Panel discussions and talks
- Can the science of death help us find new ways to mourn? Join anthropologist and playwright Naomi Westerman and panellists for a frank discussion on dying and what happens after.
- What the Quark is Particle Physics ? A panel discussion chaired by Professor Anthony Hollander with incoming CERN director Professor Mark Thomson, Dr Saskia Charity, Professor Graziano Venanzoni and Professor Jocelyn Monroe from the University of Oxford
- 11 talks or panels led by the Festival's Scientific Section Presidents which includes Professor Greg Lynall, from the University of Liverpool's Department of English, discussing science's hidden women.
- Talks by the Festival's Award Lecturers including one from Dr Rebecca Evans, from the University of Liverpool's Department of Psychology, who will discuss junk food advertising in digital gaming.
Performances and experiences:
- Taking Flight, dance company Movema's exploration of freedom and flight will explore both human and birds' desires and take place beneath an installation by visual artist Maria Loizidou, which responds to the architecture of Liverpool Cathedral.
- Jon Chase, rapper and science communicator, street busking with a dinosaur theme to coincide with the new Jurassic World movie.
- Wake up and rave! A morning dance experience at the Museum of Liverpool
Hannah Russell, Chief Executive of the British Science Association, said: "We're delighted to be bringing the British Science Festival to the city of Liverpool in 2025. The vibrant and diverse culture of Liverpool make it the ideal setting for our Festival, and I know that as a result the programme will be spectacular. It is a real honour for the British Science Association to be working alongside not just one, but two, world-leading research institutions in 2025, and I feel confident that we will achieve our shared goals of showcasing the transformative research and innovation taking place at Liverpool John Moores University and University of Liverpool."
Professor Anthony Hollander, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Impact at the University of Liverpool, said: "Liverpool is a vibrant centre of research, education, science, and storytelling which will provide a fantastic setting for the festival. Engaging all our people and communities in the transformative power of scientific research and innovation is vitally important to address many key issues in the Liverpool city region, and stays true to our mission to advance learning and ennoble life.
"As a world-leading Russell Group University embedded in our wonderful city, we have a cutting-edge research and science portfolio with both local and global impact. We look forward to collaborating with Liverpool John Moores University and wider regional partners to deliver a brilliant Festival programme for everyone to enjoy."
Professor Keith George, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at Liverpool John Moores University, said: "As anchor institutions for Liverpool and the city region we are proud that both Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool are joining forces to host the British Science Festival in 2025.
"The Festival will showcase the impactful and transformational work the universities and others undertake to promote innovation, social responsibility and a change for good. A festival of celebration that brings people and science together for mutual benefit and learning is going to be a flagship event for Liverpool and the city region."
All events are free and open to all - most require booking in advance, with some drop-in events and performances also taking place.
Visit www.britishsciencefestival.org
