Festival of Discovery returns to Bath

FUTURES, a Festival of Discovery, returns to Bath this September with two days of free events that will lift the lid on fascinating research in our region.

Press release
Published on Tuesday 20 August 2019
Last updated on Friday 29 November 2019
View more announcements in Communications

Visitors at the Holburne — Visitors enjoy the 2018 FUTURES Up Late event at the Holburne Museum

The festival promises the chance to explore the past, create the present and imagine the future alongside researchers from the region’s Universities as they lead hands on, interactive activities and demonstrations across the city.

Some of the highlights include a special Up Late at Holburne Museum where researchers will be exploring the relationship between art and science and a Science Pop Up Party at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution BRSLI with some science stand up performances, hands-on science experiments, a bar and DJ.

FUTURES is part of European Researchers’ Night, an annual event that takes place in cities across Europe. This year Bath will be one of more than 300 cities in 30 countries taking part in the event.

It’s an opportunity for people, of all ages, to meet the researchers whose work is helping to shape the world we live in.

Helen Featherstone, Head of Public Engagement at the University of Bath said: “We’re very excited to bring FUTURES to Bath again this year. Not only will it be a lot of fun but it also allows us to share, and celebrate, the amazing and diverse research taking place across the city.

“All the events have been created to give people the opportunity to explore how the past has helped to influence the way we live our lives today and how research is shaping our future. It’s also a great opportunity for our younger visitors to find out just how exciting and varied a career in research can be. There will be something for everyone, young and old, and we’re looking forward to a busy, entertaining and, hopefully, inspiring weekend.”

Researchers from University of Bath, Bath Spa University, University of Bristol and Cardiff University will be taking part in FUTURES 2019. There are also a number of events taking place in Bristol throughout the weekend including free pop up events at We the Curious and Brunel’s SS Great Britain.

Here’s the lowdown on what’s happening in Bath:

Friday 27 September:

FUTURES Up Late @ Holburne Museum 5pm-9pm

Come along to a very special Up Late at the Holburne Museum as researchers from University of Bath and Bath Spa University explore what happens when art and science meets. Please register for a free ticket.

FUTURES Science Pop up party @ BRLSI 6pm-10pm

Science and stand-up – it’s the perfect night out. At BRLSI you can join us for a drink and meet some of the funniest academics around as they perform their brilliant sci-stand up; as well as taking part in some fascinating science experiments, hearing PhD researchers present their research in just three minutes and a science themed pub quiz. The event is free but please register for a ticket.

Saturday 28 September

FUTURES: Walking with Scientists:

Take a walk with scientists and see the city come to life with new perspectives on Bath’s rich science history. Join us for a guided walk with a difference. Led by Olly Langdon from Kilter Theatre walkers will be joined by researchers at different stops along the route to talk about their work, and answer questions.

Meet at Bath Abbey at 1.30pm or 5:30pm. Each walk will take approximately 2 hours. This is a drop in event and places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Please register for more information and any changes to the schedule.

FUTURES: Researchers on a train:

FUTURES researchers will be entertaining travellers on trains running between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads throughout the day on Saturday with some fun and fascinating science busking.