The University of Plymouth is for the first time taking part in an international festival of discovery offering a range of engaging, interactive and fun activities to help lighten the dark wintery days.
FUTURES2020 is taking place on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November 2020 as part of European Researchers' Night, an annual event held simultaneously in more than 300 cities across 24 European countries.
Fittingly for Britain's Ocean City, the events in Plymouth include a talk on marine litter by Professor Richard Thompson OBE, the first scientist to use the phrase microplastics when referring to items of ocean debris and Head of the University's International Marine Litter Research Unit.
There is also Land Ahoy! - an exciting opportunity to find out more about the people who protect our seas, with a series of talks on maritime history and heritage filmed on location at some of Plymouth's most renowned maritime landmarks.
The Big Family Quiz, hosted by Professor of Early Modern British History James Daybell, will invite families to test their knowledge of the world around us, featuring mind-boggling facts on marine life, the history of pandemics, plants and the human body.
There will also be a programme of Discovery talks, panel discussions and Q&As across the two days, including Expedition Earth: An Explorer's Guide to a Planet in Peril, a talk from Professor Iain Stewart MBE, Director of the University's Sustainable Earth Institute.
Professor Jerry Roberts, Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Research and Enterprise, said:
"We are always looking for exciting and interesting ways to share our world-leading research in ocean and earth science, heritage and health, and sustainability, with a wider audience. With its combination of talks, quizzes and panel sessions, FUTURES2020 does that and gives a real insight into the breadth of our work and how it is having a genuine impact on people's lives. It is also a great opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across the South West, to fuel the public's imagination, and inspire more people to find out about our work and perhaps think about a career in research themselves."
