Edinburgh’s world-leading science has proven to be a winning formula as key players have joined forces to inspire and engage residents in research and discovery.
The University and Edinburgh Science have formalised their long-standing partnership ahead of this year’s Science Festival, which takes place in April (image credit Hope Holmes).
Edinburgh Science and the University of Edinburgh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, synergising a long-standing commitment to engaging local communities with science.
The announcement comes ahead of this year’s Edinburgh Science Festival – the largest of its kind in the UK – with a series of more than 100 electrifying events taking place in April.
The two organisations have worked closely since the Festival was established in 1989, providing a stage to explore cutting-edge research and discuss the latest scientific thinking.
Working together
Over the years, the Edinburgh Science Festival has showcased highlights of the University’s monumental impact on science, including discovery of the Higgs boson and Dolly the Sheep.
The new five-year agreement formalises this fusion and aims to boost opportunities for sharing ideas between residents and researchers, support richer knowledge exchange and enhance the professional development of staff in both organisations.
This year, festival-goers of all ages are invited to take part in a range of events exploring the latest science across a range of fields, from farming to fossils and fruit-flies.
What's on
'Trust, Truth and Trickery in the AI Age’ – an interactive workshop led by the BBC and the University – will invite attendees to act as journalists, telling fact from fiction and truth from digital hallucination.
Animal lovers can find out more about our passion for pets at the Bayes Centre, with revelations from experts in psychology, neuroscience and evolutionary biology.
At the National Museum of Scotland, a special event for over-50s will showcase games and interactive demonstrations to explore how technology can be harnessed to support everyday life. Creative teens can attend One Day, One Play, One Prompt to produce a live public show, also at the Museum.
University showcase
From Tuesday 7 April, visitors can drop in to Dynamic Earth for ‘7 Days, 100 Scientists’, a free showcase of the University’s expertise in areas such as medicine, astronomy and supercomputing.
Each year as part of the Festival, the University hosts the Tam Dalyell prize, recognising excellence in engaging the public with science. This year’s winner is Professor Ailsa Henderson, for her work in political sciences.
The Edinburgh Science Festival has long been a place where pioneering science connects with the public’s curiosity. By formalising our decades long relationship with the University of Edinburgh, we are excited to continue our shared mission and create even more meaningful experiences that connect people of all ages with the science shaping our world. This partnership also strengthens our commitment to collaboration and the exchange of knowledge and ideas, for the benefit of both research and public engagement. Together, we will continue to inspire future innovators and ensure that science remains accessible, relevant and exciting for everyone.
Hassun El-Zafar
Director and CEO of the Edinburgh Science
Science touches every corner of our lives, and is there for everyone to discover. This collaboration marks a meaningful milestone, opening new doors for people to connect more deeply with the science around us. In Edinburgh, we are fortunate to have brilliant minds working on some of the world’s most exciting research and I look forward to the possibilities that this new partnership will spark.
Professor Iain Gordon
Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Science and Engineering:
