Discover how chemistry and chemical engineering are shaping a more sustainable future through free hands-on activities, live demonstrations and the latest research.
What's on
Discover hands-on activities, inspiring talks and behind-the-scenes tours throughout the day.
Explore a cyanotype art display created by our researchers in collaboration with local artist Eileen White.
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Activities
Have a go, ask questions and discover the science for yourself. Find out how our researchers are using these techniques to tackle real-world challenges.
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Talks
Join one of our 20-minute 'Journeys into (and through) Chemistry' talks and hear how people built careers in chemistry, chemical engineering and related fields.
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Tours
Book a guided tour or explore our laboratories at your own pace. See research in action and meet the technical staff behind it.
Activities
Get hands-on with science.
Try our interactive experiments and demonstrations including:
- Search for hidden microplastics in a coral reef model
- Make glowing slime and discover the chemistry behind it
- Use spectroscopy to identify unknown samples
- Explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and data support scientific research
- Watch radiation tracks appear in a cloud chamber
- See how light, molecules and advanced materials are shaping the future
Talks
Meet the people behind the science.
Hear from chemists, chemical engineers and researchers as they share their career journeys, what they work on today and where a career in chemistry can take you.
Speakers include representatives from industry, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), the University of Southampton, IChemE President and children's author Freya McGhee.
Tours
Go behind the scenes.
Take a self-guided tour of our laboratories and discover how research becomes real-world innovation. Meet researchers working across chemistry, chemical engineering, data science, photonics, materials science and sustainability.
You can also book one of our guided tours:
- MRI, in Action!, a demonstration showing how an image of a jelly baby is captured and processed in a dedicated laboratory
- Virtual Control Room, exploring how chemical engineers monitor and manage industrial processes using digital systems
- Chemical Engineering Tour, showcasing teaching and research spaces used to develop and test engineering solutions
Schools programme
Plan your school visit in advance by booking tours and talks. Groups of 10 or more can book ahead to help students make the most of their day.
Getting here
Activities take place throughout the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. The main entrance to the Future Chemistry Hub at Building 30.
Address
University Road, Southampton, SO17 1BJ
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Travel
By bike:
- bike racks are available behind the building, alongside Building 28
By bus:
- Highfield Campus is served by the U1, U2 and U6 UniLink routes
- From Southampton Central Station Take the U6C from Stop SF to Highfield Interchange (Stop B)
- Take the U2, U2C or U2B from Stop SA to Centenary Building (Stop A)
By train:
- St Denys station is approximately a 30-minute walk (1.3 miles)
- Southampton Airport Parkway station is approximately a 50-minute walk (2.1 miles) and provides national rail connections
Accessibility
- Blue badge accessible parking is available close to the venue on Highfield Campus
- Wheelchair access to the building with a lift access to all floors
- Accessible toilets on the ground floor
- Guide dogs and other assistance dogs are welcome
Journey planning
Plan your journey using the My Journey Southampton journey planner.
Further information
Find more information about visiting the University for the British Science Festival on the Plan your visit page
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School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Sponsors
This event is supported by the following organisations: