Norwich to host its first celebration of discovery and research in the city with TV faces and events for all the family.

Norwich is a world-class city of science, widely acknowledged as a place where major discoveries are made and crucial research is undertaken. The first ever city wide Norwich Science Festival, which is to take place from 18-30 October 2016, will celebrate this vibrant and groundbreaking aspect of the city and aims to put science well and truly on the wider city agenda. The Festival is being coordinated by The Forum leading a new partnership initiative of Norwich organisations.

For 12 days in October there will be a host of diverse, informative, entertaining, engaging and above all inspiring events taking place at venues across the city. People of all ages will be able to immerse themselves in science and explore and discuss all sorts of scientific issues, and as it coincides with the autumn half term break, there will be plenty of events aimed at children and families. The first four days will be focused on activities for schools centred around astronomy, building on the recent interest in Tim Peake’s stay on the International Space Station.

The Norwich Science Festival is made possible by a unique new cross-city partnership initiative looking to foster significant public engagement with science and nature. The initiative is led by The Forum in partnership with UEA, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, The Millennium Library, Castle Museum, Norfolk Festival of Nature, RSPB and Norfolk Wildlife Trust amongst others.

Nature and environmental issues will feature heavily in partnership with the Norfolk Festival of Nature, a county-wide partnership of nature bodies led by writer Mark Cocker who explained ‘The Science Festival hosted by The Forum is a great way of encouraging debate on issues that are so important to nature in Norfolk and it will also give a wonderful platform to writers, artists and creative people of all kinds who are inspired by the countryside and wildlife.’ It is hoped that this new addition to the Norfolk calendar will become an annual event.

Producer Stuart Hobday, former Director of Norwich Arts said ‘Norwich has one of the strongest bases for science activity in the country. Norwich Research Park has grown and UEA has developed its science research greatly in recent years. But I am also aware that Norfolk is at the forefront of environmental, nature conservation and farming science and from the start we wanted to reflect this side of things. Scientific issues are constantly in the news and we want to inspire young people with the wonder of science and nature, and hopefully present things that will encourage them to take up scientific study with enthusiasm. The Festival will be a wide ranging mix of serious presentations, debates and fun for all.’ 

Mark Thompson added ‘I’m delighted to be involved in the Norwich Science Festival. It is the first time a major festival of science is being hosted in the city and it is a great opportunity for people to find out what science is all about and for scientists and science organisations to reach out to the public and show what they do. I was captivated by science at the age of ten when I saw Saturn through a telescope and I hope the festival can not just educate but also enthuse and inspire the scientists of the future.’

Lord Robert Winston enthused ‘I’m delighted to hear that Norwich is developing an annual Science Festival and that I’ll be contributing to the first one. Public engagement with scientific issues is more important than ever.‬’

Norwich has long held a world-class reputation for leading scientific discovery and research. In the 1970’s it was UEA’s Climatic Research Unit that first drew the world’s attention to climate change. The university created one of the first Schools of Computing Science in the UK, now one of the largest and most experienced in the country. Current research across various departments at the university includes studies into the detrimental effects of Amazonian dams on wildlife, ways of improving crop yields to tackle global food shortages and investigations of human cell dysfunctions linked to disorders such as diabetes, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Helen Czerski said ‘Science is part of everyone’s lives. It explains why toast falls butter side down and how plants know which way is up, as well as giving us the tools to develop new medical devices and launch satellites. Norwich’s first major science festival will provide a fabulous opportunity for everyone to explore a rich variety of scientific ideas. It’s full of events to help us appreciate how the world works now as well as a chance to think about the potential offered by future scientific developments. I’m delighted to be a part of the Festival, and I’m really looking forward to it. There will be something for everyone – come and join us!’In addition to the TV scientists quoted above, the new Norwich Science Festival has attracted messages of support from its partners and both of the city’s MP’s .

Norwich South MP and Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change Clive Lewis is passionate about Norwich’s developing scientific centres of excellence and welcomes the Festival ‘Not only is scientific and research activity crucial to the future economic well-being of our city and the survival of our planet, it’s also one of those things that marks us out as a species that with a purpose other than that of just merely getting by. I remember being a young person and having my little mind blown as I made my way across the vast and inspiring terrain of scientific discovery. I’m sure this may raise a scientific eyebrow or two but if it wasn’t for that I doubt I’d be such a Star Trek fan today. So I’m excited that the Norwich Science Festival is set to broaden the minds of young people in our city today.’Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North added ‘The Norwich Science Festival will be a huge asset to our city – a city of science, technology, learning and creativity with the wonders of nature on our doorstep too. I hope that everyone from kids to grandparents can take the chance to get to know science.’

Nicola Brown, External Relations Director at the John Innes Centre and The Sainsbury Laboratory, said: ‘We are looking forward to the Science Festival and to speaking with people about the world-class research plant science and microbiology that takes place here.’

David Richardson UEA Vice-Chancellor commented ‘I am delighted that UEA will be a key partner in the new Norwich Science Festival.  We have long recognised the importance of public engagement with science and this exciting new event provides a great opportunity to showcase the world-leading research being carried out by scientists at UEA and with our partner institutes on the Norwich Research Park.’

Tim Bishop, Chief Executive of the Forum Trust summed up ‘Our city and our county are world leaders in some key areas of science. We want to help reflect that to the people of Norwich, Norfolk and beyond. Norwich is both a beautiful heritage city and a vibrant modern centre for research and development and that is the key to jobs and the future for the region’s economy. Science can seem complicated and ‘difficult’ our aim here is to open up what’s going on to more people and help them to understand more of what’s going on.’

Norwich Science Festival 2016
18-30 October 2016

www.norwichsciencefestival.co.uk

The full list of partners in the Norwich Science Festival features:

University of East Anglia
John Innes Centre
TGAC
The Sainsbury Laboratory
Institute of Food Research
Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Norwich Research Park
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
The SAW Trust
Teacher Scientist Network
 
Norfolk Festival of Nature
Norfolk Wildlife Trust
RSPB
 
Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library
Norwich Castle Museum
The Bridewell Museum
Cinema City
Norwich Arts Centre
Norwich Playhouse
OPEN
 
Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form 
Norwich School
The Institute of Physics
The Royal Society of Chemistry
Norwich Science Cafes
Pint of Science