Microbes, mocktails and smart tech: How our academics are celebrating innovation at the British Science Festival
Bringing the British Science Festival (BSF) to Southampton has involved and relied on the generosity, support and efforts of colleagues across the institution. Every Department, Faculty and Directorate has contributed to this significant event, in many cases over several years. The festival offers a unique, creative platform to share and connect people from all backgrounds with groundbreaking research in inclusive ways. This year, many of our University staff and students are hosting a vibrant range of events, exploring everything from microbes and mapping to chickpeas and ocean-inspired cocktails.
With less than two weeks to go before the start of the BSF (16 – 20 September), we’re highlighting some of the incredible contributions and sessions from across the institution, focusing today on activities led by colleagues in the Faculties of Environmental and Life Sciences (FELS), Medicine (FMED) and Engineering and Physical Sciences (FEPS).
Professor Steve Darby, Associate Dean of FELS says:
“I’m delighted that my colleagues from across FELS will be contributing to the British Science Festival, Europe’s longest standing science festival. FELS’ contributions are linked by a common theme of promoting better planetary and human health. Coming at the end of an extraordinary summer that has shown all of us the pressing need to adapt to climate change, I’m sure that visitors will find them timely, thought-provoking and enjoyable.“
Read about activities organised by FELS on their SharePoint.
Professor Lucy Green, Head of Engagement for FMED says:
“It has been brilliant watching staff and students from the Faculty of Medicine work together with public participants to develop new creative and fun engagement activities for the Festival. Visitors can peruse art exhibitions, watch a fashion show, get involved in communal art pieces or yoga, be part of a citizen science air quality experiment or interact with medical engineering innovators. We think we’ve got something in there that could tempt a visitor to talk to us about the research behind healthcare in from the earliest moments of development into older age”
Read about the activities organised by FMED on their SharePoint.
Professor Michael Butler, Dean of FEPS says:
“The British Science Festival is an exciting showcase of discovery and innovation, and I’m thrilled to see colleagues from across FEPS playing a key role as it arrives in Southampton in 2026. From sustainable technology to smart materials to the impact of AI, these events promise to inspire curiosity, and I look forward to enjoying them alongside the wider community.”
During the festival, the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) will also welcome local visiting schools for cleanroom tours and demos, offering a behind-the-scenes look at its pioneering technologies.
Read about the activities organised by FEPS on their SharePoint.
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