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The Lighter Side of Research

A comedy development programme for doctoral researchers helping them to combine comedy and research dissemination in a creative form.

Where research meets stand-up

Hear about doctoral research like you've never heard it before.

The Lighter Side of Research is a unique comedy development programme for doctoral researchers from the Universities of Bath, Bristol, and Bath Spa University.

Participants are trained in core comedy skills, helping them communicate their research in fresh, engaging, and accessible ways. The programme culminates in a live stand-up showcase, where researchers take to the stage to perform their material in front of a public audience.

Join us at our upcoming shows in June 2026 and experience research like you’ve never heard it before. Hopefully it will be insightful, unexpected, and genuinely funny.

Wednesday 3 June 2026 7.30pm - 9.00pm (Bristol)

Join us at The Mount Without, Bristol to hear from 10 aspiring doctoral comedians from the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Bath Spa University.

Headshots of doctoral researchers taking place in the Lighter Side of Research show

Join us on Wednesday 3 June 2026 at The Mount Without, Bristol for a night of research and comedy. 10 students will take to the stage to share their research with you as you've never heard it before.

Student comedians

  • Isobel Strevens - Theatre, University of Bristol
  • Guillermo Marmol - Education, University of Bath
  • Stanley Thompson - Life Sciences, University of Bath
  • Rishika Kaushik - English, University of Bristol
  • Xiaoxiao Zhouyi - Maths, University of Bristol
  • Shaiful Hakim - Engineering, University of Bristol
  • Sarah Trolley - Health, University of Bath
  • David Vander Meer - Engineering, University of Bristol
  • Lucia Burtnik - Psychology, University of Bath

Tickets

  • £5 for university card holders (Bath, Bristol and Bath Spa University)
  • £10 for general public

Additional booking fees may apply.

Tuesday 23 June 2026 7.30pm - 9.00pm (Bath)

Join us at Burdall's Yard, Bath to hear from 10 aspiring doctoral comedians from the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Bath Spa University.

Headshots of doctoral researchers taking place in the Lighter Side of Research show

Join us on Tuesday 23 June 2026 at Burdall's Yard, Bath for a night of research and comedy. 10 students will take to the stage to share their research with you as you've never heard it before.

Student comedians

  • David Vander Meer - Engineering, University of Bristol
  • Jess Mezo - Politics, University of Bath
  • Stanley Thompson - Life Sciences, University of Bath
  • Shaiful Hakim - Engineering, University of Bristol
  • Kyriacos Rouvas - Chemical Engineering, University of Bath
  • Iz Potter - Theatre, Bath Spa University
  • Sarah Trolley - Health, University of Bath
  • Gil Krikler - Sciences, University of Bristol
  • John Kerr - Physics, University of Bath
  • Loic Marmey - Life Sciences, University of Bath

Tickets

  • £5 for university card holders (Bath, Bristol and Bath Spa University)
  • £10 for general public

Additional booking fees may apply.