British Science Festival returning to Birmingham in 2010
The British Science Festival – one of Europe’s largest public science events – will be coming to Birmingham in September 2010. The announcement was made jointly by the British Science Association and Aston University.
The Festival brings over 350 of the UK’s top scientists, engineers and commentators together to discuss the latest developments in science and technology with the public. Tens of thousands of visitors regularly attend a wide variety of events – from hands-on family days, to debates on current hot topics and unique opportunities to question the UK’s top scientists.
The British Science Association also announced the appointment of Lord Sainsbury as its future President for 2010. Lord Sainsbury will assume the Presidency on the first day of the Festival and deliver his Presidential Address on the theme ‘Science and human progress’.
Key local influencers in the fields of science and science education will be meeting Lord Sainsbury next month to discuss plans for the 2010 British Science Festival. The event proposal process is also now open and organisations, institutions and businesses – from the West Midlands or otherwise – are invited to submit proposals to be part of this huge public event.
Roland Jackson, Chief Executive of the British Science Association, said: ‘We are delighted to be returning to Birmingham, a Science City with its diverse communities and cultural activities, its strong science and technology-based industries and its thriving educational sector. This major national event, in the full glare of the media, will draw public attention to the latest developments in science and technology, and it will stimulate public involvement in discussions about the ways in which science and technology can help meet the challenges of our time.’
Professor Julia King, Vice-Chancellor of Aston University, said: ‘We are delighted that Aston University has been chosen to be lead partner in the British Science Festival in Birmingham in 2010. We have a long history of engaging with business and industry, as well as the diverse communities in Birmingham and the region, and we are confident our links will help to bring the city together to celebrate science and drive innovation.
‘Aston is a university with an established reputation for research excellence in engineering and life sciences, contributing to a broad, world-class research and innovation agenda being developed and delivered by institutions across the city and beyond. I believe we will put on a really great Festival which will confirm the West Midlands as a leading centre for science, technology and innovation.’
Mick Laverty, Chief Executive of Advantage West Midlands, said: ‘I am delighted that the British Science Festival is coming to the region in 2010. Innovation and the application of science are great ways of driving the economy as well as improving quality of life.
‘Advantage West Midlands, through the Birmingham Science City initiative in particular, is demonstrating how the science and technology in West Midlands universities can improve the quality of life of people in the region and support local businesses. The Festival will attract thousands of people to Birmingham and will also capture the excitement of science for the region’s children – our future innovators.’
Stephen Hughes, Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council, said: ‘We are delighted that the British Science Festival is being held in Birmingham in 2010. It provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the role and importance of science and innovation in all of our lives and its contribution towards the growth and prosperity of our economy and businesses.’
Almost every year since 1831, when the British Science Association was founded as the British Association for the Advancement of Science, the Festival (previously known as the Annual Meeting) has taken place at a different location around the country. During that time, Birmingham has hosted the Festival eight times – with the most recent being in 1996.
The Festival has been the stage for many iconic moments in history – such as the first use of the word ‘scientist’ (in 1834) and the famous debate about Darwin’s controversial theory of evolution between Thomas Huxley and the Bishop of Oxford (in 1860).
The 2010 British Science Festival is organised by the British Science Association in partnership with Aston University and is supported by Advantage West Midlands, Birmingham City Council, the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University.
The Festival brings over 350 of the UK’s top scientists, engineers and commentators together to discuss the latest developments in science and technology with the public. Tens of thousands of visitors regularly attend a wide variety of events – from hands-on family days, to debates on current hot topics and unique opportunities to question the UK’s top scientists.
The British Science Association also announced the appointment of Lord Sainsbury as its future President for 2010. Lord Sainsbury will assume the Presidency on the first day of the Festival and deliver his Presidential Address on the theme ‘Science and human progress’.
Key local influencers in the fields of science and science education will be meeting Lord Sainsbury next month to discuss plans for the 2010 British Science Festival. The event proposal process is also now open and organisations, institutions and businesses – from the West Midlands or otherwise – are invited to submit proposals to be part of this huge public event.
Roland Jackson, Chief Executive of the British Science Association, said: ‘We are delighted to be returning to Birmingham, a Science City with its diverse communities and cultural activities, its strong science and technology-based industries and its thriving educational sector. This major national event, in the full glare of the media, will draw public attention to the latest developments in science and technology, and it will stimulate public involvement in discussions about the ways in which science and technology can help meet the challenges of our time.’
Professor Julia King, Vice-Chancellor of Aston University, said: ‘We are delighted that Aston University has been chosen to be lead partner in the British Science Festival in Birmingham in 2010. We have a long history of engaging with business and industry, as well as the diverse communities in Birmingham and the region, and we are confident our links will help to bring the city together to celebrate science and drive innovation.
‘Aston is a university with an established reputation for research excellence in engineering and life sciences, contributing to a broad, world-class research and innovation agenda being developed and delivered by institutions across the city and beyond. I believe we will put on a really great Festival which will confirm the West Midlands as a leading centre for science, technology and innovation.’
Mick Laverty, Chief Executive of Advantage West Midlands, said: ‘I am delighted that the British Science Festival is coming to the region in 2010. Innovation and the application of science are great ways of driving the economy as well as improving quality of life.
‘Advantage West Midlands, through the Birmingham Science City initiative in particular, is demonstrating how the science and technology in West Midlands universities can improve the quality of life of people in the region and support local businesses. The Festival will attract thousands of people to Birmingham and will also capture the excitement of science for the region’s children – our future innovators.’
Stephen Hughes, Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council, said: ‘We are delighted that the British Science Festival is being held in Birmingham in 2010. It provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the role and importance of science and innovation in all of our lives and its contribution towards the growth and prosperity of our economy and businesses.’
Almost every year since 1831, when the British Science Association was founded as the British Association for the Advancement of Science, the Festival (previously known as the Annual Meeting) has taken place at a different location around the country. During that time, Birmingham has hosted the Festival eight times – with the most recent being in 1996.
The Festival has been the stage for many iconic moments in history – such as the first use of the word ‘scientist’ (in 1834) and the famous debate about Darwin’s controversial theory of evolution between Thomas Huxley and the Bishop of Oxford (in 1860).
The 2010 British Science Festival is organised by the British Science Association in partnership with Aston University and is supported by Advantage West Midlands, Birmingham City Council, the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University.
search this section
