Toothpaste, medicines, cleaning products - just a few of the everyday items that end up down plugholes or toilets. But how are the chemicals in them impacting your local waterways? The short answer is: scientists aren't completely sure, but they're trying to find out and need your help to do so.
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Museum of the Moon
Measuring seven metres in diameter, the Museum of the Moon features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the Moon’s surface. Experience this awe-inspiring installation in the be…
Painting a low carbon future
Have you ever wondered what the future will be like? Concerned about humanity's impact on the planet? Help create a view of a city of the future, 100 years from now – as a zero carbon, sustainable society. You could even end up having your portrait incorporated into the picture!
Distortions in Spacetime: Friday
Experience what it’s like to step inside a black hole with a brand-new immersive artwork from audiovisual pioneers Marshmallow Laser Feast.
The new work Distortions in Space time, the first chapter in a new body of work titled The Scale of Things, will turn participants int…
Distortions in Spacetime: Thursday
Experience what it’s like to step inside a black hole with a brand-new immersive artwork from audiovisual pioneers Marshmallow Laser Feast.
The new work Distortions in Space time, the first chapter in a new body of work titled The Scale of Things, will turn participants int…
Distortions in Spacetime: Wednesday
Experience what it’s like to step inside a black hole with a brand-new immersive artwork from audiovisual pioneers Marshmallow Laser Feast.
The new work Distortions in Space time, the first chapter in a new body of work titled The Scale of Things, will turn participants int…
The fermentation station
Fermentation is everywhere – in our bodies, in our foods and in the natural world around us. It has shaped culinary cultures as a way of preserving seasonal fruits and vegetables, breaking down inaccessible nutrients while making everything delicious. Come and taste kimchi at the fermentation sta…
Distortions in Spacetime: Tuesday
Experience what it’s like to step inside a black hole with a brand-new immersive artwork from audiovisual pioneers Marshmallow Laser Feast.
The new work Distortions in Space time, the first chapter in a new body of work titled The Scale of Things, will turn participants int…
Energy estuary
Chaired by the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, join a panel of industry leaders and experts as they discuss how the growth of the Humber’s clean energy industry will benefit more than just the environment. What opportunities will an energy regeneration bring to you and the area you live in?
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Nucleosynthesis and Lego™
We are all made of stardust' goes the well known quote, but how? Where were the atoms in our body formed? What type of stardust? Since the first paper on the synthesis of elements in stars in 1957 our understanding of nucleosynthesis has grown immensely. Come and find out how Lego is being used to s…
The mixed reality academy
Is mixed reality the next era of computing? This summer, Microsoft hosted an academy that saw University of Hull students team up with creative partners to make mixed reality prototypes. Come and meet the makers and play with the winning designs that could solve real-world business problems.
A guided tour of Drax Power Station
Drax operates on a massive scale, supplying 6% of the country’s electricity needs, including 15% of its renewable power. The power station features six boilers, each as high as a 15-storey office block, a chimney taller than the London Eye, and over 1,800 miles of steel tubing - enough to stretch …
Living lab: monitoring Hull’s air pollution
Ever wondered what is in the air you breathe? Take the opportunity to look at local and national causes of air pollution, explore how air pollution forms and talk to the researchers who are at the forefront of pollution monitoring.
As part of this event there will be short air pollution …
To tourniquet or not to tourniquet? Practising wartime first aid in the 20th century
During the First and Second World Wars and the Cold War around 2 million people learnt life-saving first aid to care for the injured troops and civilians. What was it like to be a first aider during the wars? Come along to this drop-in event and practise some historical first aid on a friend.
Following the flight of the monarchs
Experience the phenomenon of the monarch butterfly and its 3,000 mile migration in Rob MacKay's magnificent audio-visual installation. Become immersed in the real-time forest soundscape of its roosting grounds while butterfly expert Lincoln Brower narrates your journey.
Drop-in e…
The Ferens science takeover
Join us for a glimpse at where science and art collide at a special after dark at The Ferens Art Gallery. Grab a drink at the bar, speak to researchers, comedians and musicians about how science intersects with culture… and then have a play in our special robot petting zoo.
Events:
Attraction explained: how to seduce and why we love
In this talk Viren Swami, the leading expert on the psychology of romantic attraction, will reveal how geography, appearance and personality affect who we fall for and why. Stay for the evening and put your new knowledge to the test in a slow dating experience, a new take on speed t…
Howl at the moon
In partnership with Freedom Festival, come and experience the Museum of the Moon - a 7m wide installation featuring detailed NASA imagery of our closest cosmic neighbour. Especially curated for this one night, come listen or even sing along to an evening of song from the University of Hull Chapel Ch…
A night at the Ropewalk
Across the Humber, in the beautifully restored Ropewalk, why not let off some steam and blow some glass? Unwind and relax as we lead you through an evening of yoga with a clinical anatomist and a life drawing class with a social psychologist. During the night you’ll also get the chance to hear fro…
Humber Street party
Bring your friends and dance your way through the Humber Street Party. Find out what sexy really means in a unique dating event, take a guided tour to discover what’s in the air we breathe, taste wine with a geologist and even discover the history of the Humber through virtual reality. Also - don…
Trinity after dark
Come and celebrate the first evening of the Festival as we take over Trinity Market, Hull Minster and the surrounding pubs. From mixed reality developers to celebrated creatives, you will get the chance to meet a diverse crowd of scientists in a night of music, beer and board games. Did we mention t…
At the edge of the Humber
People living and working in and around the Humber have navigated its dynamic environment for thousands of years. In this talk, Briony McDonagh explores interdisciplinary approaches to the landscape, revealing how men and women of the past shaped, managed and understood the world ar…
Modern slavery in the UK
Have you ever considered how your strawberries get from the farm to the fridge? Modern slavery is rife and often in plain sight. From car washes to nail salons, how do we identify and break the chain of labour exploitation? Meet Cristina Talens who is working with businesses to spot…
Mind the gender gap
Recent revelations about the disparity between women and men’s pay packages were shocking. With this in mind, Barbara Petrongolo and others explore the idea of 'femininity', and whether or not gender quotas are the best way to empower women in the workplace and improve equality.
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Changing the face of science engagement
What have we learned about public engagement with science? John Durant looks back over his three decades as a leader in this field, beginning with surveying the public's understanding of science in the 1980's. Drawing on multiple examples and a growing body of empirical data, he wil…
Automation for the nation
Robots, computers and ‘electronic brains’ have been central to hopes and fears about the future for 70 years, from dreams of a fully-automated society to nightmares of mass unemployment, and even remorseless robot overlords. James Sumner probes how these ideas spread among publi…
Missing emissions
In the UK, diesel fuel pollution levels are dangerously high, but research also suggests that there are hidden emissions we aren't yet detecting. Jacqueline Hamilton delves into the problems of the 'missing emissions' and seeks to understand what this means for our health and the pl…
Trafficking culture
Political conflict has meant that looting and trafficking of antiquities has become more prevalent than ever, especially in the culturally rich Middle East. Donna Yates discusses the recent revelations about the role of western brokers and buyers in these networks and importantly, h…
Bringing the past into the present
Virtual Reality (VR) is helping archaeologists like David Robinson journey into unexplored historical sites, such as the spectacular and fragile Native Californian Cache Cave. Here, he shows that VR is more than just a whimsical plaything - it's allowing indigenous Californian group…
Defining weight in a Parisian vault
Since 1889, the kilogram has been defined by a platinum and iridium cylinder held in the depths of a Paris vault. Society is intrinsically dependent on the accuracy of this measurement. However, it has been losing weight and this year will be redefined using 21st century physics. Join Stuart…
Do you look before you leap?
Whether riding a bike or sky diving, sometimes we gauge the activities in our life as more or less risky than they really are. Get to grips with your own personal relationship with risk alongside Jennifer Rogers, who shows how statistics can help you make better decisions.
Volcanoes and air pollution
Many people in the UK remember the chaos which ensued after the 2010 volcanic eruption in Iceland. Missed a flight because of it? Find out how volcanic plumes can affect more than just our travel plans. Having ventured across the world to places such as Hawaii and Antarctica, volcanologist …
Can scrap metal save the planet?
We know that carbon dioxide is a major cause of climate change, but what’s being done about it? Join Alison Parker as she reveals the novel techniques she's using to combat this environmental crisis. Hear how scrap metal, sea water and solar-generated electricity can be used to tu…
From lab to farmyard: genome editing our livestock
Genome editing is famous for its potential to treat human disease, but lesser known is its potential to increase global food security. UK scientists are leaders in the field of genome edited farm animals. Christine Tait-Burkard examines its potential to improve farm animal health an…
NHS and the British Red Cross: 70 years of volunteering
In 1948, the NHS took control of key medical services that had been established by the British Red Cross in the First World War and interwar years. From equipment and welfare advice to skin camouflage, Rosemary Wall highlights the British Red Cross’ contributions to the NHS and ho…
For your viewing pleasure
Fifty years ago, liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) became commercially available. The University of Hull played a large part in their development, enabling what is now a multi-billion-dollar global display industry. Join Cliff Jones and other UK scientists as they detail the early brea…
Art, ethics and new technologies
Each scientific breakthrough brings to light new ethical dilemmas. In conversation with Lucy McCabe, Anna Dumitriu shows how artists engage with ethical implications of modern technologies, from gene editing to robotics and AI, and why their involvement in the conve…
Beyond surround sound
Sounds come from all around us. 3D spatial audio technology has the potential to create a personalised listening experience, aiding mental well-being, assisting the hearing or visually impaired, or simply for immersive entertainment. Find out how you can orchestrate an enhanced listening experience …
What shapes your relationship to science?
Drawing on research with thousands of adults and young people, Louise Archer looks at what influences our feelings towards science. Discover the patterns of participation with science and learn what can be done to encourage more of us to see it as something that’s ‘for me’.
To reproduce or survive: lessons from ancient females
There is wide variation between women’s susceptibility to stop menstruating due to illness, stress, weight loss, or exercise. Speaking with a patient who has amenorrhea, the absence of a menstrual period in someone of reproductive age, Richard Quinton explores whether a genetic mu…
A dark and invisible world
One hundred years ago Richard Feynman - a pioneering researcher of sub-atomic particles - was born. Jon Butterworth looks at what's been achieved in our understanding of this invisible world and ponders: what mysteries remain? What can particle physics reveal about the Universe?
Post-Brexit policy: what’s the deal?
For better or worse, Brexit means government policy is undergoing the biggest upheaval in living memory. Many policies are likely to be reimagined, but will anyone ever ask whether they are working? Join panellists as they discuss waste crime, energy and farming policies post Brexit.
Speakers
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Exploding stars and colliding black holes
In 2017, seventy observatories simultaneously pointed their telescopes towards the same object to witness a ground-breaking event: the first visualisation of the source of gravitational waves. Stephen Smartt details how recent technological advancements allow us to catch neutron sta…
Fear of childbirth
Pregnancy and childbirth are an exceptionally vulnerable time for a woman’s mental health. Anxieties are normal, but sometimes extreme pathological fear can take hold and affect daily functioning. This panel discusses research on tokophobia – the fear of childbirth - and supporting women post…
A Wold of mysteries: Yorkshire’s underground secrets
Cutting-edge sensing techniques are shedding new light on Yorkshire’s ancient past. Peter Halkon and James Lyall delve into the Yorkshire Wold’s history, revealing unexpected archaeological discoveries, such as evidence of ritual activity and millennia-old buria…
Imaging a bright future for cancer care
Medical imaging has enabled a new arsenal for detecting and treating life-threatening diseases. Novel 3D visualisation technology, developed by Hull researchers, is improving the care of patients undergoing radiation treatment for cancer. Join the experts to find out how this will impact how we care…
Do plants get jet-lag?
Your internal clock influences most of your bodily functions, but it also means you’re susceptible to jet-lag. Katherine Hubbard explores why this phenomenon happens, the similarities between human and plant clocks, and how we can use this knowledge to increase food production on …
On thin ice: the polar plastic problem
Antarctica is often seen as an untouched frozen wilderness, but beneath the ice lies a different story. With concerns over plastic pollution at an all-time high, Cath Waller delves into the scale of the problem at the south pole and crucially, what can be done about it.
Is it ‘game over’ for dementia?
Contribute to the largest dementia study in history with Jason Hayhurst, who will show you how virtual reality and augmented reality games can be used to improve the quality of life for those suffering with dementia. How will we approach the future design challenges of these live-sa…
Trauma and resilience in the Hull blitz
During World War II, Hull was the second most blitzed city in Britain. How much of this could its people withstand? In 1940, the city became a unique government case study for resilience and survival beneath the bombs. David Atkinson describes the secret science used to pinpoint whe…
In search of Vikings
Using cutting edge science, Cat Jarman has rewritten a pivotal period in British history: the Vikings. In this talk, she will reveal how she investigated the likely burial ground of the Great Viking Army and will explore what this means for our understanding of our ancient past.
The importance of being mobile
They say sitting is the new smoking. We all like to rest, but can too much sitting in our older years impair our quality of life? Join Sandra Agyapong-Badu as she shares her latest research on the impact of inactivity on the mind, mood and muscles, and importantly, what we can all d…
Strange sounds from space
The film Alien may have told you: “In space no one can hear you scream”, but it was wrong - space is full of sound. Become immersed in a cosmic-inspired compilation from The Short Film Festival's SSFX: the anthology film. Hear about the project from those involved and how independent filmmaker…
Migration and the first Britons
What does it really mean to be 'British'? Migration is a hot topic, yet passage in and out of Britain has been occurring for centuries. Join leading experts to discuss recent advancements in understanding our ancient ancestors and ask if we can trace our origins back to those who first migrated into…
Finding truth: is science enough?
Science helps us stay informed and make decisions about things like climate change and vaccinations. But in a ‘post-truth’ era of 'alternative facts', is scientific ‘fact’ facing its limitations? Join a panel of experts to discuss whether evidence alone is enough, or if emotions and worldvie…
Arctic climate change: a people’s story
In Arctic Norway, the Sami communities are reindeer herders who are close to nature and dependent on the land. However, their lives are already being affected by climate change, which has taken hold in northern latitudes the fastest. In this captivating talk, their compelling stories about our chang…
Digging the dirt on the world’s oldest fossils
What are the earliest fossils? How did Earth transition from a microbial world to the one we're familiar with today? Unfortunately, our fossil record is biased towards organisms with hard shells and skeletons, which evolved 3 billion years after life on Earth began, so it's hard to answer these ques…
Britain’s first superfast train
Do you want to travel at near supersonic speeds in a vacuum tube? This could soon become a reality as a revolutionary train network, the Hyperloop, is already in development. These trains could reach speeds of over 700 mph. Join SpaceX pod competition finalists and Virgin Hyperloop One winners,
What would you leave behind?
How would you react in a city-wide disaster? Warmer and drier weather conditions mean there are an increasing number of wildfires and their proximity to cities result in thousands of communities being entrapped once they break out. Check your own reactions to an extreme event while
The Exorcist
Upon its release in 1973, The Exorcist provoked an outcry about the psychological influence of film. Meanwhile, medical journals reported and sought to scientifically explain numerous cases of 'possession' triggered by the film. Join us for a special screening and panel discussion exploring this cu…
The Deep late
Take a journey with us to explore The Deep after hours and plunge from the sunlight to midnight zones of the big blue. Grab a drink at the bar, immerse yourself in ocean-themed stories and get hands on with the most exciting sea-life research happening in the local area (and beyond), all whilst surr…
Lord Prescott: climate change, science and me
Over 20 years ago, John Prescott was handed the reins to one of the most important negotiations to tackle global climate change: the Kyoto Summit. The former deputy prime minister had no formal science background but successfully worked with scientists and politicians on the world stage to establish…
When eating becomes a disorder
Anorexia and bulimia have always been in and out of the headlines; but weight is not always the measure of an eating disorder and there is little discussion in the media of the reality – that it is a hidden mental health problem. Join psychologist Sophie Rae as she shares what can…
Hellblade: tackling psychosis stereotypes
Making a video game about a female warrior living with psychosis is risky. The creators of BAFTA award-winning game Hellblade tried to do just that, and worked with scientists and those living with psychosis to explore new and positive ways of representing the mental condition. Join creative directo…
The Huxley Debate: what do we do about ocean plastics?
Over the last 12 months, the UK has seen a dramatic shift in public opinion and interest over our consumption of plastics. Plastic was seen as a wonder material in the 1950s but we are now waking up to its problems. The UK is reliant on cheap, throwaway plastic packaging, and the durability of the m…
Poetry and science: the space in between
Scientists are often too busy grappling with big questions and complex answers to take a step back and reflect. Many look to the arts as a way of articulating and expressing their ideas and inspirations and for trailblazing astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell-Burnell, poetry in particular c…
The AI Revolution: hopes, fears and opportunities
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can often sound more like science fiction than reality, and yet most of us use it daily without even thinking about it, whether it’s virtual assistants such as Siri or Alexa or the powerful algorithms used by Facebook or Google. The transformative opportunities that wi…