Families, students, scientists, local authority representatives, teachers and other collaborators joined staff from LifeLab, the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton for a vibrant evening of celebration at the LifeLab 2025 Showcase.
The event opened with a warm welcome from LifeLab Programme Director, Professor Kath Woods-Townsend, followed by an inspiring talk from Professor Mary Barker, highlighting the transformative impact of LifeLab.
Students from the NxtGen Researcher Programme took to the stage to present their own research projects and share how LifeLab has positively impacted them. They were followed by members of the Youth Panel, who shared their findings on key issues such as ultra-processed foods, climate change, and the role of artificial intelligence in medicine.
The event concluded with thought provoking presentations from the Faculty of Medicine's Professor Lucy Green, Dr Debbie Chase (Director of Public Health at Southampton City Council) and Sinead Holmes, (Head of Access, Widening Participation and Social Mobility), who explored the Impact Case Studies Go Wild project, the broader community benefits of LifeLab’s work and the University Widening Participation Social Mobility Report, respectively.
This academic year has marked some significant milestones for LifeLab. They welcomed their 17,000th student, scooped a Royal Society for Public Health award, saw the continued growth of their Early LifeLab Health Warriors Programme, attended the Royal Garden Party and have continued to create outstanding resources through their Youth Panels.
Dr Debbie Chase said: “It was fantastic to see such creative work from all the young people who have participated. LifeLab continues to have an amazing impact for young people. Not just in teaching them about health and wellbeing, but it provides them the opportunity to develop leadership skills, science skills, the ability to influence people and then put all that on their CV. It’s such a great opportunity for them.”
Jamie Clinton, Science Teacher at Warblington School, said: “It was a privilege to be invited to LifeLab’s Showcase. LifeLab has enriched our school curriculum by engaging our students in practical activities that we don’t have the resources for in our school, allowing us to meet inspirational scientists who make a difference in the world, inspiring our students to become scientists and producing resources that make our students better scientists. Thank you LifeLab!”