Changing the world for 60 years: University holds Open Day to mark anniversary

To celebrate its 60th anniversary the University will throw its doors open on Saturday 30 June and invite people of all ages to have an exciting insight into its cutting-edge research.

Fascinating exhibitions, interactive displays, talks and shows, will line the Highfield campus from 10.30am until 4pm.

This stimulating and free event will showcase some of the University’s most successful research achievements from the past 60 years and give a variety of opportunities for people to speak to and interact with some of the world’s leading researchers. Highlights include:

• The world’s only ECS Biometric Tunnel, which will be open for people to walk through and discover their own individual ‘signature’ of the way they walk
• A showcase of examples of underwater creatures discovered on the Caribbean sea-floor
• A replica of the marble head of a statue, found near to an amphitheatre and imperial palace complex at Portus, the ancient port of Rome
• The Soton Astrodome, the University’s inflatable mobile planetarium, which will transport visitors to the stars.

Vice Chancellor Professor Don Nutbeam says: “Over the last 60 years our University has been at the forefront of life-changing research; we want to celebrate these achievements with our neighbours and community. By opening our doors we hope we can interest, excite and inspire our visitors, and demonstrate what an impact the discovery and invention of our staff has had on the world around us.”

In the lead up to the event more and more exhibits, experiments and games will be added, to show how each success was achieved. More information about the event and the University’s successes can be found at www.southampton.ac.uk/60