Thousands get hands-on with science at national festival

Thousands of people have taken part in science workshops, talks and activities in Southampton at the 2026 British Science Festival.

The event, organised by the British Science Association, was hosted by the University of Southampton and took place in the city for the first time since 1992.

More than 10,000 people attended across the festival’s five days.

Scientists from the University of Southampton demonstrated and discussed their research, from robots and AI, to chemistry and electronics, to oceans and the environment.

Kicking off the programme on Wednesday was a performance at Turner Sims concert hall of The Ocean Remembers, a piece of music inspired by ocean life and our relationship with the sea.

On Saturday, BBC Technology correspondent Zoe Kleinman sat down with Dame Wendy Hall, from the University of Southampton, to discuss the future of AI in front of an audience.

Workshops, activities and live events took over the city’s Guildhall Square at the weekend, including games and art activities exploring the workings of the human body, technology to make music with your eyes, and an exhibition entitled Becoming Doctors showing artwork created by medical students.

Ugandan fashion design promoting the benefits of vaccination was showcased at a catwalk event in the City Art Gallery in collaboration with Chrissie Jones, Professor of Paediatric Immunity and Infection at the University of Southampton.

Chrissie said: “It’s fantastic to bring together science and fashion. The story we are sharing today is about vaccines in pregnancy, and it’s a new way of talking to people about a lifesaving message. It’s lovely to see people enjoy and appreciate our work and our message.”

Mechatronic engineering student Ilana Ibrahim demonstrated the robotic guide dog she has developed. “It’s very exciting to be taking part in the festival,” she said. “It’s great to be able to present one of the most advanced technologies right now. As a woman in science, I think it can be quite inspiring for younger girls to see.”

Dr Ruomeng Huang, associate professor in electronics and computer science, demonstrated thermoelectronics. He said: “It’s exciting to talk to people about what we do and demonstrate how things work. Children love to come and generate power with the heat of their hands.”

Dr Tom Greig, research fellow in electronics, presented electronic textiles. “Talking about this to the public is always nice because it’s mixing two things at opposite ends of the spectrum – electronics and textiles,” he said. “People are often excited at the prospect of what can be done.”

Watch our highlights video: