Category: Events

Our team is excited to share the work of Sidmouth Science Festival, an annual 10-day showcase bringing the work of STEM subjects to audiences of all ages and walks of life. This year’s events, taking place from the 10th to the 19th October will feature academics from the University of Exeter and beyond, each committed to sharing their passion for science. 

The inaugural Exeter Climate Forum, hosted by the University of Exeter in conjunction with the Met Office, brought prominent academics, policymakers, businesses, and young people to its conference events in Exeter. Alongside these main events, a diverse range of community activities were delivered to engage local voices in these pivotal discussions. 

The Public Engagement with Research team is proud to have supported Exeter’s contribution to Pint of Science 2025, an international initiative bringing cutting-edge research to new audiences in local pubs. Dr Harry Green, coordinator for Exeter’s events, shares his experience delivering this year’s festival and continuing to build on its success.

Last week, our team had the privilege of co-facilitating ‘Community Research: Exploring & Celebrating Collaboration’, a showcase dedicated to community-based research in the South West. Supported by the University of Exeter and the Devon Research Engagement Network, this event offered people from across the academic and voluntary sectors the chance to connect, and share valuable insights into their work. 

With the theme for this year’s Being Human Festival, Between the Lines, having been announced, we are taking the time to showcase some highlights from last year’s event. This extended across Devon and Cornwall and was supported by a range of academic and community contributors committed to celebrating the humanities. 

The UK Science Festivals Network – a consortium of science festivals and event organizers from across the UK, managed by the British Science Association – recently hosted its 2025 conference at the Watershed in Bristol. Engagement Manager, Dreolin Fleischer, and Regional Engagement Assistant, Catherine Hurcombe, attended the conference ahead of Exeter’s upcoming community festivals, including FUTURES 2025. 

In the last of our FUTURES blog series, we look at the festival’s ongoing impact – in particular, the Our World From Space project, which is working with schools across the city to deliver impactful and innovative science education.

At the core of FUTURES 2024 was the Pop-Up Curiosity Shop, based in Exeter’s Princesshay Shopping Centre. Open throughout the weekend, this shop hosted an array of creative events – from using VR to explain bird navigation, to a research treasure trail.  

One of the highlights of last year’s FUTURES festival was the launch of Exeter’s ‘We Still Have a Chance’ legacy mural. Commissioned by the University of Exeter Green Futures COP27 Team and Art Work Exeter, this mural is a message of hope towards ending the climate crisis and creating sustainability at the heart of the city.

Next in our series on the recent FUTURES festival is a look at our individual workshops and events, hosted in Exeter city centre across the weekend.