The British Science Festival (BSF) takes place in Liverpool from Wednesday 10 to Sunday, 14 September, offering five days of talks, workshops, performances and installations at cultural venues across Liverpool city centre, the docks and university campuses.
All events are free and pre-booking of tickets is recommended.
Here we highlight a selection of University of Liverpool sessions tackling topics from particle physics to junk‑food advertising.
Universal Secrets: Unpacking Particle Physics
Chaired by Professor Anthony Hollander, this panel discussion and Q&A aims to demystify the world of particle physics, highlight fascinating particle physics projects and Liverpool's role in them. You'll have the opportunity to quiz our particle physicists Professor Graziano Venanzoni and Dr Saskia Charity from the University alongside Mark Thomson (CERN) and Jocelyn Monroe (University of Oxford).
Thursday 11 September, 14.00 - 15.00, The Tung Auditorium
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This event is accompanied by a showcase of real particle detectors with our physicists on hand to demonstrate how they work and explain how experiments are designed.
Game On, Snack More
Delivered by Dr Rebecca Evans, a BSF Award Lecturer, this session examines the impact of junk‑food marketing within online gaming.
Highlighting how advertisers target young audiences through livestreams and in-game content, Dr Evans' talk discusses implications for public health-and strategies to protect gamers.
Thursday 11 September, 12.00 -13.00, The Tung Auditorium
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You can also listen to Becky talking about her research in Episode 10 of the Original Ideas podcast about food.
Searching for Science's Invisible Women
Professor Greg Lynall, a BSF Scientific Section President, reveals stories of women overlooked in science's historical narratives. This event spotlights some of their forgotten contributions and their relevance today.
Saturday 13 September, 13.00 - 14.00, The Black-E
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All Aboard: Journey Through Intercity Innovation
Hosted by the University of Liverpool's Heritage Research Institute, this event reflects on 200 years of the Liverpool-Manchester Rail. It brings together scholars, heritage professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders to examine the railway's transformative legacy and consider the future of rail in the UK and beyond.
Saturday, 13 September 2025, 17:00 - 19.00, Victoria Gallery & Museum
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In Conversation with Robin Saxby
Robin Saxby, technology entrepreneur, University of Liverpool alumnus and founding CEO of ARM Holdings, takes the stage at Victoria Gallery & Museum to discuss the future of semiconductor innovation and digital transformation.
Robin will reflect on his fascinating life and career, which helped shape these technological breakthroughs. Robin will be interviewed by Liverpool's own Scouse Scientist, Holly Ellis.
Wednesday 10 September, 15.30 - 16.30, Victoria Gallery & Museum
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Wired differently: Step inside the neurodivergent brain
With at least one in five people diagnosed as neurodivergent, this session will explore what it's like to experience the world differently. Researchers from the Institute of Population Health will lead a series of games and activities designed to challenge stereotypes, created in collaboration with neurodivergent people across Liverpool.
Wednesday, 10 September 2025, 12:00 - 15.00, The Bluecoat
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View the full programme and book tickets on the British Science Festival website.
