Upcoming events
Alongside our flagship events, we also support our staff and students to run a range of events for the public, schools and community groups, and below you can find out more information about the events we have coming up.
To read about Pint of Science, Meet the Scientists, or FameLab, please navigate to those tabs at the side. Want to develop your own Public Engagement event or have an idea that isn’t listed below? Please get in contact with us at HLSEngagement@liverpool.ac.uk.
FameLabUK 2026
FameLab UK is a science communication competition and sees the best new voices in science from around the country compete against one another to be crowned the UK's greatest science communicator and go on to represent the UK at FameLab International.
Researchers, students, and science enthusiast can showcase their skills and join a global community of science storytellers.
The North West Hub
The University of Liverpool and the University of Salford have joined together to become the North West hub for FameLab. Scientists from around the NW region are shortlisted and will compete at a regional final before the winner will go forward to the National Festival in Cheltenham in June.
The 2026 FameLab North West Final will be held in Liverpool at the Lime Street Central Pub, L1 1JQ on Tuesday, Mar 24 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Reserve your spot here Read the most recent FameLab blog: Science in the Limelight: My FameLab 2025 Experience as a Nervous Speaker here.
Pint Of Science 2026
Join us for a pint on 18-20 May and dive into fascinating discussions about cutting-edge research in a relaxed, pub atmosphere. We're proud to spotlight the incredible research happening in our community and beyond.
For three nights every year, we transform popular and iconic pub locations into vibrant venues for exploration, laughter, and engaging scientific conversations with a line-up of diverse speakers who are passionate about sharing their research. Each night promises new insights into the ever-evolving world of science
Main talks are around 20 Minutes with our featured scientists providing a deep dive into their ground-breaking research while Shots of Science lasting around 3 Minutes feature rapid-fire presentations by brilliant minds.
Attendees can cast their votes for the most captivating "Shot of Science."
Recent events
Meet the Scientists: Saturday 7 March 2026
We celebrated British Science Week by bringing our research to life for local children and families through hands-on activities, experiments, and interactive fun at World Museum!
This March's event was also linked to International Women's Day so we would welcome interest from any women in STEM hoping to inspire future scientists, or anyone working on research to support the health and wellbeing of women and girls.
What makes volcanoes go boom? How do medicines really work? And why do birds migrate?
Here is a taste of the exciting activities on the day:
What makes volcanoes erupt? What determines whether a volcano gently floooooows or EXPLODES!
Menacing Microbes and Magnificent Medicines – Why do germs make some people sick but not others?
Birds Just Wanna Have Sun – Many birds travel thousands of miles every year - why?
Celebrating Nature@Ness: Wednesday 13 August 2025
Research scientists presented lunchtime talks for visitors aged 12+ as part of Ness Gardens Celebrating Nature Day
This event will also take place later in the year on Monday 27 October 2025 - 10.30am-2.30pm. More information about our last instalment of Discover Nature can be found on our blog.
British Science Festival: 10-14 September 2025
The British Science Festival took place in Liverpool and was hosted by the Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool.
The British Science Festival is one of Europe’s longest-running science festivals, hosted at a new location each year. The Festival provides a platform for scientists and social scientists, innovators and inventors, researchers and artists, to bring their work to the general public.
From comedy shows to art installations; dynamic performances to hands-on workshops; insightful talks to interactive experiences, a programme of over 100 free events had something for everyone.
SRC Festival of Social Sciences: 18 October – 8 November, 2025
As part of the Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) Impact Acceleration Award (IAA), the University of Liverpool participated in the UK-wide Festival of Social Science (FoSS) to engage and connect the public with social, economic and behavioural science research through a series of events from 19 October – 9 November, 2024. Read more about previous years’ events here.
The University’s FoSS Planning Team welcome hearing from anyone that has an idea to run their own event or activity. These events must take place within the festival time period but may take place anywhere e.g. off campus or online.
For more information, please check out our funding page.
We welcome expressions of interest for multi-year event/projects or plans for future years, which could present an exciting opportunity for increased impact development. Opportunities to get involved will also be available through 2026 and 2027. Please get in contact with us at HLSEngagement@liverpool.ac.uk.
Toddler Science Club.
In March 2025 we partnered with Everton in the Community to run Toddler Science Club. The sessions explored a range of scientific subjects, from animals to the natural world! - using craft, messy play and story and song to bring science to life. Sessions were aimed at 3-5 year olds and their grown ups and were run onsite in Everton on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons from early March.
On the day;
- Researchers helped us plan toddler friendly activities linked to current research
- Researchers came along on the day to chat to children and adults about their role/research were they assisted with activities and/or reading stories/singing nursery rhymes.
- General volunteers also came to help on the day day (chatting to families, helping set up and tidy away, assisting with activities)
Full training was provided for everyone working with us on this project. If you would like to be involved in future events and activities like these, or have any questions, please drop us a line at HLSEngagement@liverpool.ac.uk
NeuroNights!
NeuroNights came to LEAF, Liverpool, this April, bringing engaging speakers to bring neuroscience to life for the public. Whether you want to bust science myths through comedy or debate big neuroscience questions, this was our researchers chance to get involved in a fun, interactive event.
Highlights included:
🔹Myth-Busting Comedy: Creative, humorous 10-minute sets tackling popular science or neuroscience myths. For scientists that are passionate about debunking misconceptions, just love making people laugh or want to try something new
🔹Battle of the Brains: A series of lively 15-minute debates on hot neuroscience topics. Whether it was “Are drugs bad for your brain?” or “Can you really multitask?” Science-focused but accessible and fun. Researchers were invited to come as a duo or let us pair them with a battle partner
No prior experience was needed – all selected speakers received training and support to develop their talk. This opportunity was open to science enthusiasts, undergrads, postgrads, ECRs, postdocs, and PIs from any science-related background. For any questions please email neuronights@lng.org.uk
Disco dress was encouraged but not mandatory!
Spooky Science - 5th - 6th November 2024
ISMIB's annual Spooky Science event, running on the 5th and 6th of November. Over 2 days, we had 340 Yr 5-6 students come and do experiments in the Life Sciences labs.
All Eyes On You: 22 May 2024
Visitors and staff were invited to drop by Royal Liverpool University Hospital on 22 May 2-3.30pm and chat to scientists and researchers from the University of Liverpool’s Department of Eye and Vision Science about the latest developments in eye research and how they can help you! Speakers on the day;
- Gave talks about the latest health research going on in your local community
- The different ways of being involved in research
- How patients and staff can have their voice heard