All events are free
University of East London
11-15 September
Event Guide 2024
British Science Festival 2024
September 2024
Hey, London!
Between 11–15 September 2024, the British Science Festival will be coming to the capital, in partnership with the British Science Association (BSA) and the University of East London.
Join us to celebrate the people, stories and ideas at the heart of science, with over 100 FREE events running over the five days. The Festival will be held at locations across the University of East London Stratford Campus and Docklands Campus plus key venues across Stratford.
Science content creator and social media sensation, Big Manny, will be headlining this year’s 5-day event. Other headline events include a panel of ex-Olympic athletes: world champion rower, Dame Katherine Grainger; former British and Commonwealth record holder for the 800m and 600m, Diane Modahl; and Olympic heptathlete, Kelly Sotherton.
We’ve got something for everyone! Explore an augmented reality installation championing Black scientists, get hands-on with a gigantic spider-inspired musical instrument (Sonic Spider), immerse yourself in live recordings of the Guardian’s Science Weekly podcast and the BBC’s Sky at Night: Question Time, go to a genetics-themed Bingo night, and so much more.
The Festival is aimed at visitors aged 16+ and there’s no need for any knowledge of science to join in the celebrations.
Head to the British Science Festival website for more details about the events listed in this guide and to book your FREE tickets.
britishsciencefestival.org/ events
See you there!
Welcome from the Festival Director
Welcome to the British Science Festival 2024.
We are so excited to be bringing a fantastic five day extravaganza to East London for this year’s Festival; bringing to life the people, stories and ideas at the heart of science.
The British Science Festival offers a chance for everyone to meet with researchers and scientists to discuss ideas, share stories and help shape the future. We want you to get hands-on, stuck-in and have your say.
This year we have worked closely with our partner, University of East London, to curate a programme that draws on the rich cultures of the local communities in Newham, including music, sport, and art.
I’m especially looking forward to welcoming TikTok superstar, Big Manny, to this year’s Festival, who not only has a love of science,
but is also a former student of University of East London. Big Manny will be teaming up with the Royal Institution to bring stunning experiments to the Old Town Hall in Stratford on Sunday 15 September.
Also on Sunday, we will be hearing from Cheddar Gorgeous, first runner up on Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK in 2022, but also an academic and visual artist, who will be discussing the impact that AI has had on art in recent times.
I hope you will enjoy exploring the programme as much as we have enjoyed creating it.
Thank you to our partners and hosts, the University of East London, and to our Major Partner, MSD – we could not have delivered this event without your support.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Festival!
James Brown, Director
Welcome from the Vice-Chancellor and President
I am honoured that the University of East London (UEL) is hosting the British Science Festival this year, 24 years since the event was last held in London.
The Festival shares a key ambition and value of UEL: social inclusion. This event represents an unparalleled opportunity for scientists, innovators, researchers and artists to engage with and inspire local, often underrepresented communities.
UEL is proud to be one of the UK’s most diverse and socially inclusive universities. By hosting the Festival, we hope to contribute to a future where science is more relevant to and representative of our society, aligning with our purpose of addressing inequalities wherever they are found.
The Festival uses a broad definition of science, in order to celebrate the people, ideas and stories at the heart of innovation.
The programme this year takes in an impressive breadth of topics, from space, the environment, health and technology to social sciences, music, and fashion.
Amongst our exhibitors, UEL researchers will be sharing their globally impactful work on a range of topics, including AI’s effects on health and social care and how future technologies will impact the built environment. Diverse innovation plays a vital role in the country’s economic and industrial renewal.
The Festival is a culmination of our own ‘Year of Science’, and I can think of no better way to celebrate science and showcase our University’s worldclass research, which is helping to create a fairer, healthier, greener world.
We look forward to welcoming – and inspiring – all Festival attendees.
Professor Amanda J. Broderick, University of East London
University of East London Docklands Campus
University of East London Stratford Campus
Stratford Venues
Wednesday 11 September 2024
University of East London Docklands Campus
BO and beyond
10.30–17.00 | West Building
The Lounge
Activity§
Body odour (BO) can be embarrassing, but it’s something we all naturally produce. So don’t sweat it! Explore the biology of BO production, uncover the origins of smelly compounds, and discover innovative technologies combating sweat’s side effects.
A message from afar
Activity§
10.30–17.00 | West Building
The Lounge
There’s a whole Universe out there, and potentially other life forms. Is it time we reached out? How can we enter a conversation with extraterrestrial civilisations, and what should we say? Join Martin Dominik and his team to ponder humanity’s place in the cosmos.
To vape or not to vape?
10.30–17.00 | West Building
The Lounge
Activity§
In the past decade, many smokers have made the switch from tobacco cigarettes to electronic cigarettes in the hope of finding a healthier alternative. However, all forms of smoking can have lasting effects on cells of the heart and lungs. Join Mohammed Meah and his team from the University of East London to find out how.
Nature’s vampires
10.30–17.00 | West Building
The Lounge
Activity§
The tree of life
Get up close and personal with Sally Cutler, her team from the University of East London and some ticks to discover more about the diseases they transmit and how to prevent nature’s little vampires latching on.
Too tired to test
10.30–17.00 | West Building
The Lounge
Activity§
The accuracy of diagnostic tests can be lifesaving. However, funding cuts and significant strain on the National Health Service (NHS), can seriously impact healthcare staff’s ability to perform. Join Jamie Edwards from the University of East London to take part in a series of tasks and see how you would fair under pressure.
Activity§
10.30–17.00 | Stretch Tent
Who we are, and how our lives unfold is shaped by our heritage, genomics, environment, and our choices. Join Breaking Down Barriers, Central and South Genomic Medicine Service (NHS), and the GRACE project (The Open University) in a series of creative workshops designed to uncover the missing pieces in our data and ask what it really means to be representative.
Step into the metaverse
Activity§
10.30–17.00 | East Building Atrium
Many people retreat to the metaverse to connect with others across the world, play games and share information. But how do we manage what happens and what we see whilst there? Step inside an interactive exhibition by Julia Davidson and her research team from the University of East London to understand how we deal with safety in the metaverse.
Mental health in the digital age
11.00–12.00 | West Building Auditorium
Talk§
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there’s been a rise in the use of both online technologies and the need for mental health support. It’s not surprising that with these areas colliding, we’re now seeing a rise in digital forms of support for people experiencing mental health problems. But do they work? Join Ian Tucker and Ainul Hanafiah to find out.
Talk§ Nature vs nurture?
11.00–12.00 | East Building EB.G.08
The debate as to what affects your life outcomes – your genes or the environment – is one of the oldest in science. Join Stephanie von Hinke from the University of Bristol on a journey into the genetic data, helping to provide more clarity on this debate.
12.00–13.00 | East Building
Tim Lamont from Lancaster University invites us to become part of ‘Generation Restoration’ and find out how experimenting with new restoration techniques in tropical coral reefs can help us to rebuild nature where it’s most needed. Pick up hints and tips for natural restoration that could be helpful for other ecosystems closer to home.
Tiny forests
Workshop§
12.00–13.30 | East Building EB.G.06
Supporting ecosystems in the city can be tricky if you don’t know where to look. Join Hanna Mroczka from Earthwatch to learn how you can become an urban scientist, taking crucial measurements and identifying diverse species, all while reconnecting with nature in the tiny forests of the urban jungle.
Talk§ Health inequalities. More sociology, than biology
13.00–14.00 | East Building EB.G.08
When we think about health, we tend to think a person’s biology is the main factor, often overlooking social elements. Join Winston Morgan from the University of East London to understand how scientists and medical professionals could be potentially failing many minoritised communities because of outdated ideas about race and medicine.
Talk§ Battling superbugs
13.00–14.00 | West Building Auditorium
Understanding and combating antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing issues in medical research and is essential for the future health of global populations. But why does it matter so much? Join Jessica Blair from the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Microbiology to find out why.
Talk§ Do beavers hold a key to climate resilience?
14.00–15.00 | East Building EB.G.06
The beaver’s return to Britain is one of the more captivating comeback stories at the moment, but that’s got some people wondering, are beavers our friend or foe? Hosted by Eva Bishop of Beaver Trust, join renowned biodiversity advocate Dr Mya-Rose Craig, aka Bird Girl, and Richard Brazier, from the University of Exeter to explore whether this native mammal can help to alleviate eco-anxiety and offer hope for a sustainable future.
Talk§
Changing the culture of the police force – Met steps
14.00–15.00 | East Building EB.G.10
What is it like to be a racially minoritised policewomen in the UK? Join Emma Cunningham from Royal Docks School of Business and Law and Criminology to open up the discussion around the significant need for structural change in police force.
Talk§
Faith vs. fact:
Do we have to pick a side?
15.00–16.00 | West Building Auditorium
It may not seem like science and religion have always been on the same side. New research has begun to unpack a more nuanced picture of how science and various belief systems overlap in modern day society.
Join James Riley from the University of Birmingham to explore how we can rethink the relationship between science and belief in the 21st century.
Turning pixels into policy
Talk§
15.00–16.00 | East Building EB.G.08
Join Sabrina Li from the University of Nottingham to discover Geographic Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI). This innovative tool uses knowledge from the richly biodiverse tropical regions of Brazil to reveal how health inequalities across time, space, and populations may help us to understand the life course of infectious diseases and their impacts on populations.
Heal yourself
Talk§
16.00–17.00 | East Building EB.G.10
Healthcare professionals can struggle to manage the trauma that comes with the loss of a patient, often due to lack of shared language. Luckily, Gulnar Ali from the University of East London has developed a reflective tool known as ‘SOPHIE’ which supports individuals to recognise their inner self-care and spiritual well-being needs. Try it for yourself.
Talk§
The winning edge: how elite athletes get to the top of the podium
16.30–17.30 | West Building Auditorium
Research into women’s health and performance is lagging year’s behind that of the men. But things are slowly starting to change. Join some of the UK’s top women athletes to explore how they’ve got to the top and the challenges they’ve overcome. With Dame Katherine Grainger, Diane Modahl MBE and Kelly Sotherton.
Talk§ Our Accidental Universe – with Chris Lintott 16.30–17.30 | East Building EB.G.06
Join BBC presenter of ‘The Sky at Night’, and Gresham Professor of Astronomy, Chris Lintott to explore the biggest mistakes, the strangest accidents and the lucky breaks that have led to some of the biggest scientific discoveries.
Talk§ In conversation with Professor Kevin Fenton: BSA Presidential Address 18.00–19.00 | West Building Auditorium
What does the future hold for our healthcare system, and how can innovative technology or new approaches be adopted to improve all of our experiences? Join Professor Kevin Fenton at this fireside chat, where he will discuss his expertise in tackling health inequalities, infectious disease prevention and control, climate justice and urban health. Kevin has worked in a variety of public health executive leadership roles across government and academia in the United Kingdom and internationally. He is currently Regional Director for London in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and is incoming President of the British Science Association.
Thursday 12 September 2024
University of East London Docklands Campus
Gene-ius fish
Activity§
10.30–17.00 | West Building
The Lounge
Dive into the fascinating world of zebrafish research with Queen Mary, University of London. Discover how gene editing techniques unlock insights into mental health conditions, from schizophrenia to addiction. Explore new treatments and drug development pathways in this groundbreaking study.
Ocean travellers
10.30–17.00 | West Building
The Lounge
Activity§
Join Nick Aldred and his team from the University of Essex to discover the fascinating tales of marine life, from biofilms to majestic whales. Uncover the mysteries of their locomotion, the challenges they face, and the impact of human presence.
Life in plastic, not so fantastic
10.30–17.00 | West Building
The Lounge
Activity§
Ria Devereux and colleagues from the University of East London have been spending time understanding the large variety of plastic pollutants found in surface waters of the River Thames. Join them as they reveal the abundance of plastic hidden in the city’s waters.
Activity§ Digging deeper into soil
10.30–17.00 | West Building The Lounge
Did you know that soil houses a quarter of Earth’s species, provides infrastructure for 95% of global food production and is our biggest asset in carbon capture? It’s fascinating! Join The British Society of Soil Science and get mucky trying experiments, and discovering for yourself the land you stand on and how you can preserve this important sub-surface world.
Activity§ 6G and beyond 10.30–17.00 | Stretch Tent
You’ve probably heard of 5G but now, 6G is making its way into the world promising faster, stronger mobile communication systems to unleash many new applications.
Join Eddie Ball and a team of researchers from the University of Sheffield to see some of their new ideas for future communications hardware and AI. Try their demo systems that may form part of the future. Have a look at and play with some of the technology they’re developing that could help in the development of driverless cars and smart cities.
Driving on autopilot: who do you trust?
Activity§
10.30–17.00 | East Building Atrium
Have you ever wondered how to prove that self-driving vehicles are safe to operate on our roads? This year, PAVE UK comes to introduce different tests and certification progress for safe deployment of self-driving vehicles. You are invited to be our one-day engineer to experience the process of virtual testing. You can create and design your own test scenarios with various weather, road conditions and more.
Nature’s agony aunts
Activity§
10.30–17.00 | East Building Atrium
Daphnia, or water fleas, are widely used as a model species to understand how environmental challenges might affect ecosystems. Meet Dearbhla the Daphnia, nature’s very own agony aunt, her guardians Katie Reilly and a team of researchers from the University of Birmingham to hear about some of the challenges facing freshwater environments –and what you can do to help!
Crossing the social divide
11.00–12.00 | West Building
Auditorium
Social tribes are important, and often we stick with what we know. But research has shown that positive interactions with members of different groups can change the way we think about the world. Join Rhiannon Turner from Queen’s University Belfast to explore the many benefits of stepping outside your comfort zone when it comes to social interaction.
Origami robotics
11.00–12.00 | East Building EB.G.08
From acting as a gripper for agricultural harvesting, to a crawler in tight spaces in disaster response, robots have many uses where humans can’t step in. Often these situations require delicacy hard to achieve in robotics. Luckily there might be an answer by looking to the world of origami. Join Chenying Liu from the University of Oxford to find out how.
Talk§
Talk§
Workshop§ Dignity in menstruation
11.30–13.00 | East Building EB.G.10
Meera Tiwari and her team at the University of East London believe it’s everyone’s responsibility to break the stigma surrounding menstruation. Join them for a workshop exploring their work developing a framework to do so with communities across India, Nepal and the UK.
Talk§
Making sense of nature’s mess
11.00–12.00 | East Building
EB.G.06
Want to understand how the world works on a sub-atomic level? Join Nick Werren from Heriot-Watt University to visualise the transport of energy through biological systems and understanding how bacteria harvest sunlight like tiny solar panels could help prevent the climate crisis.
Talk§
Everything you ever wanted to know about genetics
13.00–14.00 | West Building Auditorium
What do you get if you splice together a geneticist and a comedian? An hour of fascinating, entertaining chat about anything and everything genetics! Join genetics expert Aoife McLysaght and writer and comedian Helen Keen to find out the answers all your gene-related questions.
Talk§ Decoding the maths of society
13.00–14.00 | East Building EB.G.08
Bayesian statistics is a powerful tool that is part of everyday life, but we might not be aware of the impact it has. From perfecting spam filters, to predicting weather patterns, analysing clinical trials, to the personalised recommendations we receive. Join Sophie Carr from Bays Consulting to find out more.
Talk§ A recipe for disaster
15.00–16.00 | East Building EB.G.08
As stories of natural disasters grow, it can all seem a little doom and gloom. Join Chika Watanbe to explore the different ways of making disaster preparedness more effective and engaging for children, using their favourite past time – play.
Stitch ‘n’ stem
Workshop§
14.00–15.00 | East Building
EB.G.10
Learn about and discuss cutting edge stem cell research and its effects on the future of health and medicine, while embroidering some of the intricate and interesting patterns we’re able to see in the images captured of them in this workshop.
Meeting points in the history of science
Workshop§
16.00–17.00 | East Building EB.G.10
People, ideas and culture have always moved around the world, bringing with them incredible science as well as incredible stories. Join the award-winning MultakaOxford, a volunteer team bringing communities together by sharing the rich knowledge and heritage of people from all over the world who have made their home in Oxford and the UK.
Talk§
The Guardian’s Science Weekly podcast – live!
17.00–18.00 | West Building Auditorium
Come along to witness a live recording of the Guardian’s Science Weekly Podcast. Join hosts Madeleine Finlay and Ian Sample and special guests for a discussion of science and its role in all our lives.
Talk§ Mammary Mountain
17.00–18.00 | East Building
EB.G.06
Join Camille Baker, a digital artist, curator, and researcher in immersive experiences, who will share a series of artworks that explore the experiences of types of cancer that predominantly affect women, such as breast cancer and women’s reproductive diseases.
UEL Stratford Campus
Show§ The Sky at Night: Question Time
18.30–20.00 | University House Great Hall
As the world’s longest running science television programme, The Sky at Night has been captivating audiences since 1957.
Join host Dallas Campbell and The Sky at Night presenters Maggie AderinPocock, Chris Lintott, George Dransfield and Pete Lawrence, alongside special guests. The expert panel will be answering your questions on all things space and astronomy.
Friday 13 September 2024
Westfield Stratford City Venues
Taking the backseat with self-driving cars
Friday 13 September
13.00–18.00 | Bat & Ball, Westfield Stratford
Saturday 14 September
Activity§
11.30–18.00 | Arthur Edwards Building, UEL Stratford Campus
Sunday 15 September
11.30–17.00 | Arthur Edwards Building, UEL Stratford Campus
People are often nervous about self-driving vehicles, but there are many ways in which they could revolutionise transport. Bani Anvari, from University College London, invites you to step into their exhibition and experience the freedom of self-driving vehicles for yourself.
Time travelling trees
Workshop§
13.00–14.00 | 15.00–16.00 | 17.00–18.00 Bat & Ball, Westfield Stratford
Step inside this escape room challenge built from a virtual simulation of a Staffordshire woodland, developed by the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research. Work with researchers from the Institute to uncover clues and solve puzzles. Explore your surroundings and figure out how to protect our tree species from changing climates.
Talk§ Star Makers
14.30–16.00 | Vue Cinema Westfield Stratford
The Joint European Torus (JET) is a fusion facility in Oxford that is four decades old. This one-of-a-kind experiment has revolutionised our understanding of nuclear fusion and power, but its days are numbered. Catch it before it disappears in Star Makers – The Energy of Tomorrow, a documentary that shines light on the people who spent their entire careers working on the project.
Sonic adventures
Westfield Stratford City
Workshop§
15.00 | 15.30 | 16.00 | Newham Music Hub, Westfield Stratford
Sound can be experienced in more ways than we think. Join Tommaso Perego, who studies sonic movement at the University of East London, and explore how sound can be perceived through movement.
Talk§ Digital Animals
16.30–17.30 | Vue Cinema Westfield Stratford
From robotic milking machines to facial recognition of pigs’ emotions, digital technologies are increasingly used in animal farming, and this is raising political and ethical questions. Join Hugh Williamson and Sarah Hartley from the University of Exeter for an exclusive screening of their new documentary Digital Animals, made with independent filmmaker Tom Law.
The tape of life
Activity§
17.00–17.30 | 17.30–18.00 | 18.00–18.30
Newham Music Hub, Westfield Stratford
Rates of ageing differ hugely between species; some animals age much faster than others, and others seemingly do not age at all. Join Jessica Foley from the University of Bristol to discover the vast diversity in ageing across the animal kingdom, and how this variety challenges the presumed ‘limits’ to life.
Talk§
The many colours of your mind
18.00–20.00 | Cabana, Westfield Stratford
Activity§
Our senses can sometimes get mixed up; this is known as synaesthesia. Join Mary Spiller and her team from the University of East London to discover just how complex our brains are, and some of the weird things that happen when we get our signals crossed.
Getting to the bottom of depression
18.00–19.00 | Vue Cinema Westfield Stratford
It is all too easy to assume mental health conditions are caused by something that goes on within us, rather than external social factors. Join Mark McDermott from the University of East London to discover how focusing on adversity and personal vulnerability leads to a better understanding of the causes and treatments of depression.
Drink ‘n’ draw with animals
Workshop§
18.00–20.00 | Cabana, Westfield Stratford
Come and meet members of Zoolab UK to get up close and person with some live animals. Could understanding how they’ve adapted to environments could provide us humans with the insight we need to protect our planet?
Sounds like…me?
Workshop§
19.00–20.30 | Newham Music Hub, Westfield Stratford
In the past, computer-generated voices sounded robotic and lacked emotion, which made them easy to identify. However, today machines can create a voice that mimics your own natural speaking style, even in languages you don’t speak.
Join Carolyn McGettigan to explore their research into voice clones, discovering where our voices come from and what they say about us.
Talk§
Genetics bingo
20.30–21.30 | Cabana, Westfield Stratford
Activity§
Is it a crime to be poor?
19.30–20.30 | Vue Cinema Westfield Stratford
When it comes to the criminal justice system, people living in poverty are the hardest hit. As the cost-of-living increases, punishing people for being in a vulnerable situation is neither fair nor economically beneficial. So, what’s the alternative? Join Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay and an expert panel to find out.
Join the Genetics Society for the exhilarating ‘Genetics Bingo’ that will challenge your knowledge* and satisfy your curiosity. Hear about ear wax, cheetahs, asparagus wee and more as you play along with our fabulous Prof. Bingo, Jonathan Pettitt.
*knowledge not necessary
A trick of the eye
Activity§
14.00–15.00 | 16.00–17.00 | 18.00–19.00 Bat & Ball, Westfield Stratford
Join Mark Harwood and his team from the University of East London for a series of interactive demonstrations, revealing the various tricks that our eyes, and their movements, play on us to construct the world around us.
Saturday 14 September 2024
University of East London Stratford Campus Water Lane
Activity§ Micro-robotics for eye surgery
11.30–18.00 | Arthur Edwards Building
Ever heard of a robot in a surgeon’s gown? Well now you have. Join Ross Henry from King’s College London to get to grips with cutting-edge robotic surgery tools, adept at delicate eye and body procedures.
Responsible electronics
Activity§
11.30–18.00 | Arthur Edwards Building
Technology is a part of everyday life. In our pockets, at home, in medicine and wellbeing, environmental monitoring and agriculture, the list goes on. As the use grows, so too does the demand for materials used to make them, many of which aren’t sustainable. Join Radu Sporea to discover the route to making these materials more sustainable.
Activity§
From robot doctors to lab grown organs
11.30–18.00 | Arthur Edwards
Building
Join the team from Bioengineering Centre at Queen Mary University of London for a multi-sensory journey into the revolutionary potential of medical technology and cellular organ models. Get up close and personal with a host of technologies for surgery recovery and discover how these technologies are reshaping the future of medicine.
Touching across the void
Activity§
11.30–18.00 | Arthur Edwards
Building
During the COVID-19 pandemic many of us missed the touch and embrace of loved ones as we were forced to only communicate via screens. By exploring the importance of our fingertips in perception, Sara Abad and Helge Wurdenmann from University College London have developed technology that could revolutionise our physical connections while communicating digitally.
Taking the backseat with self-driving cars
Activity§
Please see page 22 for details.
Green energy materials on the atomic scale
12.00–13.00 | University House Great Hall
Talk§
The supply of low carbon energy is one of the greatest challenges of our time. From lithium batteries for electric vehicles to new compounds for next-generation solar panels, the need to develop new materials is pressing. Join Saiful Islam for an atomic-scale insight into a low carbon future.
Talk§
The future of energy production
13.00–14.00 | Conference and Computer Centre CC.1.10
Learn how energy is generated from nuclear fusion by making your own mini reactor from scratch in this workshop with Tan Sui, and her team of researchers from the University of Surrey.
I, Human
14.00–15.00 | University House
Great Hall
Talk§
Transhumanist theory explores the use of technology to help reduce ageing, death and disease and dramatically increase our cognitive, emotional, and physical capacities, however it doesn’t come without significant ethical questions.
Alexander Thomas from the University of East London introduces us to the world of transhumanism.
Unveiling the unseen faces of science
Workshop§
15.00–16.00 | Conference and Computer Centre CC.1.10
History often only remembers the scientific breakthroughs of certain people, but the majority of the other faces behind these ground-breaking discoveries remain in the shadows. Join Sheeba Viswarajan, and trainee teachers at University of East London, to discover the often-overlooked stories, achievements, and discoveries in the scientific community.
Talk§
Screaming, crying, showing up
16.00–17.00 | University House
Great Hall
Humans are passionate creatures, not least when our values or rights are up for debate. Join Florence Schechter in their Presidential Address for Education for advice and tips on how to engage in a productive conversation with different groups of people.
Talk§ Origami robotics workshop
17.00–18.00 | Conference and Computer Centre CC.1.10
Join Chenying Liu, the 2024 Josh Award winner, to delve into the fascinating world of paper folding and explore how it is making a difference in everything from robotics and construction to space travel and sustainability. Participants will have a chance to get creative with paper, start folding, and help solve some global challenges.
Touching the stars
Workshop§
18.00–19.00 | University House Great Hall
Studying the stars often requires using a telescope or looking to the night sky, which can prove difficult for those who are living with sight loss. Join Nic Bonne, who’s been developing tactile resources to provide vision impaired people with more accessible options to learn about the night sky.
Talk§ Baby brain
12.00–16.30 | Baby Dev Lab
We were all babies once, but it’s almost impossible to remember what that was like, which makes communication hard. Join the BabyDev Lab from the University of East London and step inside their immersive environment that helps us to understand these experiences and, as a result, what goes on in babies’ heads.
Stratford Venues
Workshop§
The weight of stigma: clay workshop
11.00–12.00 | Stratford Library, Hopkins Room
Join artist Mellissa Monsoon for a hands-on clay tile making workshop, to explore the stigma surrounding body image and the effects it can have on patient wellbeing.
Activity§ Bringing care to the home
12.00–16.30 | Stratford Library
Seyed Ali Ghorashi shares the latest research in wearable technology developed to help older generations live a more independent lifestyle within the comfort of their own home. Join him and his team to try it out for yourself.
Co-designing connectivity
Workshop§
12.30–14.00 | 15.00–16.30 | Stratford Library, Hopkins Room
Those with a learning disability, are often at risk of social isolation. However, Gosia Kwiatkowska and her team at the Rix Inclusive Reseach Institute at the University of East London are working with software developers Multi Me to create digital tools that place those with learning disabilities at the centre of the design process.
Talk§
Neuro-sery rhymes
13.00–14.00 | Stratford Library, Hopkins Room
Ever wondered what’s going on inside a baby’s head? Liam Collins-Jones from the University of Cambridge is developing and testing new technology that could help shine light on the inner workings of an infant’s brain. Join him to discover how we might be able to communicate better with them in future.
Talk§ Caring about those who care
15.00–16.00 | Stratford Library, Hopkins Room
Dementia is a leading cause of death in the UK and ensuring people get the right end of life care is paramount. But who provides this care, and how might those providing it be stigmatised? Join Diana Teggi from the University of Bath to find out.
Workshop§ Mathematical movement
15.30–16.00 | The Orange Room
Pop on your dancing shoes and join Shanti Pise for a dance workshop with a difference. Discover her latest project 4M – Making Mathematics Meaningful with Movements –that aims to fuse mathematics education with the creative arts to support learning.
Workshop§ The art of fluid dynamics
16.30–17.00 | The Orange Room
Paper marbling is more than just creating a series of random pretty patterns. It’s a skill that requires precision, and some complex chemistry and physics. Join Liva Donina and a team of researchers from Imperial College London to try your hand at mastering the art of marbling and become an expert in fluid dynamics.
Show§ Drag ‘n’ Drop! 17.30–19.00 | The Orange Room
Dragona Budjet (it’s pronounced bou-jzay) is one half of high-energy drag removals company Drag ‘n’ Drop! Rifling through the Universe’s rhinestoned curtains, join her on a journey through music, comedy, and spoken word as she explores gender, queerness, identity, mental health and quantum physics.
Show§ Sound and vision
20.00–22.00 | The Orange Room
Join us on Saturday night in Stratford’s ‘Orange Room’ for a showcase of music, visuals, technology and unbridled creativity. Join East-London based rapper, film director and artist AURA-KL (Jordan Williams) and Midlands based Bad Circulation (Maria Witek and Antonio Roberts) as they discuss how they create their audio and visuals and the relationship between art and technology.
Sunday 15 September 2024 University of East London Stratford Campus Water Lane
Who’s in the driving seat
Show§
10.30–11.30 | Conference and Computer Centre Lecture Theatre 1
Join Sarah Hartley from the University of Exeter for the premier of Gene Drives, a documentary about radical biotechnology that could dramatically reduce malaria across Uganda, by eradicating the mosquitos that cause it. Hear from the people of Uganda as they share their ideas, hopes and concerns on the technology and understand why it’s so complicated to govern.
A smart act to follow 11.30–17.00 | Arthur Edwards Building
Activity§
Feeling unmotivated? Struggling to stay resilient? You’re not alone. Evi Stamatiou and her interdisciplinary team from the University of East London are tackling this problem using performance techniques in virtual reality (VR). Join them to experience this technique firsthand and discover how it can cultivate a love for learning, resilience, and self-control.
DataDriven Earth
11.30–17.00 | Arthur Edwards
Activity§
Building
Finding a way to communicate the consequences of climate change requires a universal language, something data might be able to help with. Submerge yourself in data and watch the numbers come alive in DataDriven Earth, an immersive exhibit from Renata Brandao from the University of East London and Chris MacDonald from the University of Cambridge.
Disrupting the digital discourse
11.30–17.00 | Arthur Edwards
Building
Activity§
Activity§ AirSavers Odyssey
11.30–17.00 | Arthur Edwards
Building
Ziran Tang from the University of East London has been researching how online comments impact people and their communities. Join her for a performance and interactive exhibition that uncovers the power of comments in shaping the online debate.
Take part in AirSavers Odyssey, a board game designed by Karina Corada Perez and a team of researchers from the University of East London to explore the complexity of air pollution, its effects, and potential solutions.
Living in a material world
11.30–17.00 | Arthur Edwards
Activity§
Building
Visit Chris Hamlett and a team of ambassadors from Discover Materials to learn about new materials and what they’re used for. Discover a whole load of new ‘smart’ materials which behave in exciting ways, but not always in the way you might expect! There might even be sweets.
Taking the backseat with self-driving cars
Activity§
Please see page 22 for details.
Are micromachines the future of medicine?
Activity§
10.30–17.00 | Conference and Computer Centre Reception
Cells are a crucial component of biomedical research, but their complex and volatile nature means they often die at a critical point in experiments. Join Nina O’Toole from Imperial College London to find out how artificial cells could be used instead.
Designing for decomposition
Workshop§
11.00–12.00 | Conference and Computer Centre CC.1.10
The field of biomimetics sees scientists look to the creativity that lies within the animal and plant kingdoms to unearth the secrets behind nature’s masterpieces. Join Nermina Lamadema from Biomime UK as we delve into the world of biomimetics and her work on bio-inspired solutions for the decomposition of textile waste products.
Eat wise, cook with MAGIC
11.00–12.00 | University House Great Hall
The “Meso-American Gone International Crops” research project tracks the journey of some the nation’s favourite pulses, and foods like squash, avocado, chocolate and vanilla that made their way into the UK. Join Eric Holub for a MAGIC(al) journey through culinary time.
Sonic spider
Activity§
11.30–17.00 | University House The Dome
Ever heard a spider sing?
Well, now’s your chance. Listen to the world’s first eight-legged musical instrument and be transported into a spider’s world. Join composer Camilla Saunders, musician and designer Charlie Beresford, plus researcher Alun Anderson, who’ll bring the audio arachnid to life!
Workshop§ The Museum of Consciousness
13.00–14.00 | Conference and Computer Centre CC.1.10
Capturing and expressing consciousness is something that has inspired and fascinated scientists, artists, and creatives alike for centuries. The Museum of Consciousness attempts to gather and catalogue the varying explorations of human consciousness. Find out more from the museum’s curator, Carl Hayden Smith from the University of East London.
Talk§
Powering up, sustainably
13.00–14.00 | University House Great Hall
We often take our energy systems for granted without questioning where it comes from, how it is moved and used around the world – and why we need to understand the whole system if we want to transition towards a clean, green future. Join engineer and author Yasmin Ali to find out the answers to some of these questions.
Talk§ Wild audiences
14.00–15.00 | Conference and Computer Centre Lecture Theatre 1
What about cultural experiences speaks to the very nature of what it means to be alive and what happens in our bodies and minds when we participate in cultural experiences? How might understanding the venues in which performance happens, and the relationships between audiences play a part in creating stories?
These are all questions that artist Rosie Poebright (Associate research fellow at the University of Bristol) asks in their research. Working across neuroscience, philosophy, anthropology, and theatre they question what’s at stake, both physically and emotionally, when audiences participate in live story experiences.
Future flight challenge
Workshop§
15.00–16.00 | Conference and Computer Centre CC.1.10
The Future Flight Challenge brings together industry, academia and government to explore aviation and how we use it in modern day society. New technologies now have the ability to transform how we connect people, deliver goods and provide services in an ever-expanding world.
Join Fern Elsdon-Baker and representatives from Sciencewise and Innovate to hear about some of these cutting-edge technologies.
Where is my mind?
Talk§
15.00–16.00 | University House Great Hall
‘Cognitive immobility’ is a psychological effect amongst individuals who migrate in which your mind remains in your ancestral home whilst you’re physically in your new home. Join Ezenwa Olumba to find out more.
Talk§ Technology and consciousness entwined 16.00–17.00 | Conference and Computer Centre Lecture Theatre 1 Neosomnabulism, or ‘new sleepwalking’, is a concept investigating the space that appears in our minds between consciousness and unconsciousness when we use digital technology. Join Diana Lengua from the University of East London to discover more and explore the edges of sleep, unravelling the experiences we have when immersing ourselves in digital environments.
Workshop§ Flood, sweat and tears
17.00–18.00 | Conference and Computer Centre CC.1.10
As UK storms and floods grow there’s no denying that we need to adapt to our changing climate. Find out more about Ravindra Jayaratne’s research (University of East London) that takes a novel interdisciplinary approach to build resilient communities ready to respond to future risk.
Talk§
When digital worlds meet the real world
17.00–18.00 | University House Great Hall
If you’re used to playing open world games, you might be aware of challenges that arise when digitally created worlds meet real-world geography. Join Kate Edwards to discover how we can avoid issues such as cultural appropriation, geopolitics, and human representation when making these games.
Stratford Venues
Show§ Alright Boom! With Big Manny and the Royal Institution
12.00–13.30 | Old Town Hall Stratford
Big Manny is a TikTok sensation, sharing his experiments and demos to more than 1.8M followers across social media. The Royal Institution has been perfecting the science demonstration since Michael Faraday founded the Christmas Lectures there in 1825.
Join Manny and the Ri to hear about how they use technical skills to bring science demos to new audiences and watch them showcase some of their favourite experiments and demos.
Stratford Venues
Show§
What if you could see music?
14.30–15.30 | Old Town Hall
Stratford
Meet Larkhall, the award-winning concept pianist and developer of the groundbreaking app Shazam. Originally based in Chicago but now living in Bath, Larkhall is on a mission to shatter the conventions of classical music.
Larkhall draws inspiration from artists as diverse as Nils Frahm, Peter Broderick, Max Cooper and Poppy Ackroyd, conjuring visuals that feel equally at home in a nightclub as they do in a concert hall. At the heart of his artistic innovation lies Otto, his computer co-performer. Otto isn’t just your ordinary AI; it’s a virtuoso in its own right.
With the remarkable ability to decipher the intricate musical nuances within a song, Otto translates them into stunning visuals that dance in perfect harmony with the sound. Imagine being able to not just hear, but actually see the music, with astonishing precision and creativity.
Talk§
In conversation with Cheddar Gorgeous
16.30–17.30 | Old Town Hall
Stratford
You may remember Cheddar Gorgeous as the Drag performer who stormed our TV screens in 2022, taking the title of first runner up on Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK. What you might not know is that Cheddar is also a visual artist and academic based in Manchester, with a passion for discussing the important things in life.
Join them as they explore the arts and the recent effects that AI has had on an artist in today’s world and pick the brain of a special guest and expert as they contemplate the question: where does AI belong in an artist’s world?
The Royal Society Summer Exhibition
Proudly brought to you as part of the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibits on Tour.
Activity§ Micro-robotics for eye surgery
11.30–18.00 | Saturday 14 September
Arthur Edwards Building
Ever heard of a robot in a surgeon’s gown? Well now you have. Join Ross Henry from King’s College London to get to grips with cutting-edge robotic surgery tools, adept at delicate eye and body procedures.
A message from afar
10.30–17.00 | Wednesday 11 September | West Building The Lounge
Activity§
There’s a whole Universe out there, and potentially other life forms. Is it time we reached out? How can we enter a conversation with extraterrestrial civilisations, and what should we say? Join Martin Dominik and his team to ponder humanity’s place in the cosmos.
Gene-ius fish
Activity§
10.30–17.00 | Thursday 12 September West Building The Lounge
Dive into the fascinating world of zebrafish research with Queen Mary, University of London. Discover how gene editing techniques unlock insights into mental health conditions, from schizophrenia to addiction. Explore new treatments and drug development pathways in this groundbreaking study.
Ocean travellers
Activity§
10.30–17.00 | Thursday 12 September West Building The Lounge
Join Nick Aldred and his team from the University of Essex to discover the fascinating tales of marine life, from biofilms to majestic whales. Uncover the mysteries of their locomotion, the challenges they face, and the impact of human presence.
Activity§ BO and beyond
10.30–17.00 | Wednesday 11 September | West Building The Lounge
Body odour (BO) can be embarrassing, but it’s something we all naturally produce. So don’t sweat it! Explore the biology of BO production, uncover the origins of smelly compounds, and discover innovative technologies combating sweat’s side effects.
University of East London Docklands Campus
Do beavers hold a key to climate resilience? Changing the culture of the police force – Met steps
Turning pixels into policy Heal yourself
Our Accidental Universe –with Chris Lintott
For the most up-to-date version of the programme and to book your free tickets, visit britishsciencefestival.org/events
University of East London Docklands Campus
Square Stretch Tent
Drop-in anytime throughout the day
The tree of life
East Building Atrium
Drop-in anytime throughout the day
Step into the metaverse
For the most up-to-date version of the programme and to book your free tickets, visit britishsciencefestival.org/events
University of East London Docklands Campus
East Building
Origami robotics
Making sense of nature’s mess
Decoding the maths of society
East Building
Dignity in menstruation
Meeting points in the history of science
For the most up-to-date version of the programme and to book your free tickets, visit britishsciencefestival.org/events
Stitch ‘n’ stem
A recipe for disaster
Mammary Mountain
University of East London Docklands Campus
University of East London Stratford Campus Square Stretch Tent
Drop-in anytime throughout the day
6G and beyond
East Building Atrium
Drop-in activities taking place 10.30–17.00
Driving on autopilot: who do you trust?
Nature’s agony aunts
University House Great Hall
For the most up-to-date version of the programme and to book your free tickets, visit britishsciencefestival.org/events
The Sky at Night: Question Time
Taking the backseat with self-driving cars
13.00–18.00 Bat & Ball – Westfield Stratford
Event type Talk Workshop Activity Show
Music Hub, Westfield Stratford
Vue Cinema., Westfield Stratford
Star Makers
Stratford Venues
Cabana, Westfield Stratford
Bat & Ball, Westfield Stratford
Bat & Ball, Westfield Stratford
Digital animals
Getting to the bottom of depression
Events taking place from 18.00–20.00
The many colours of your mind
Drink ‘n’ draw with animals
Drop-in any time between 13.00–18.00
Taking the backseat with self-driving cars
Time travelling trees A trick of the eye
Time travelling trees A trick of the eye
Time travelling trees
A trick of the eye Is it a crime to be poor?
Genetics bingo
For the most up-to-date version of the programme and to book your free tickets, visit britishsciencefestival.org/events
University of East London Stratford Campus
University House Great Hall Arthur Edwards Building
Green energy materials on the atomic scale
Drop-in activities taking place 11.30–18.00
Micro-robotics for eye surgery
Responsible electronics
From robot doctors to lab grown organs
Touching across the void
Taking the backseat with self-driving cars
For the most up-to-date version of the programme and to book your free tickets, visit britishsciencefestival.org/events
I, Human
Screaming, crying, showing up
Stratford Venues
Stratford LibraryStratford Library The Orange RoomThe Orange Room
Co-designing connectivity
Co-designing connectivity
Drop-in any time from 12.00–16.30
Bringing care to the home
For the most up-to-date version of the programme and to book your free tickets, visit britishsciencefestival.org/events
The art of fluid dynamics
Drag n’ Drop
Sound and vision
University of East London Stratford Campus
Conference and Computer Centre CC.1.10
Designing for decomposition
The Museum of Consciousness
Conference and Computer Centre Lecture Theatre 1
Who’s in the driving seat?
For the most up-to-date version of the programme and to book your free tickets, visit britishsciencefestival.org/events
Wild
Sonic spider
12.00–15.45 (Drop-in any time, 15 min performances starting at 12.00, 13.00, 14.30, 15.30)
University House – The Dome
Event type Talk Workshop Activity Show
Arthur
Drop-in activities taking place from 10.30–17.00
A smart act to follow
DataDriven Earth
Disrupting the digital discourse AirSavers
Odyssey
Living in a material world
Taking the backseat with self-driving cars
University of East London Stratford Campus
University House The Dome Conference and Computer Centre Reception
Drop-in anytime from 11.30 - 17.00
(15-min performances starting at 12.00, 13.00, 14.30, 15.30)
Sonic spider
Drop-in anytime from 10.30 - 17.00 Are micromachines the future of medicine?
Stratford Venues
Old Town Hall Stratford
Alright Boom! With Big Manny and the Royal Institution
What if you could see music?
In conversation with Cheddar Gorgeous
For the most up-to-date version of the programme and to book your free tickets, visit britishsciencefestival.org/events
