Research Without Borders: University of Bristol festival returns

Churn butter like the Romans did, walk through a model MRI scanner, step into an interactive lab simulation (wearing lab coat and goggles!), hold deep-sea corals that provide clues to understanding climate change – these are a few of the exciting and whacky activities that members of the public can experience during Research without Borders, the University of Bristol’s public festival of postgraduate research.

The Showcase
Visitors are invited to get hands-on with some of the latest cutting-edge research underway at a day-long showcase at Colston Hall on Wednesday, May 15 from 11am to 4:30pm.

The free event will feature over 50 exhibits from the University of Bristol’s best research students, giving the public the chance to explore research on a vast range of topics. The exhibition will also feature artist interpretations of research, including a large-scale public installation created by a group of researchers in conjunction with acclaimed Bristol-based artist Zoe Cameron.

Whether it’s a chance to gaze down a microscope in a mock lab, step into a simulated other world to explore new ways of thinking, play life-size interactive games that make you think about difficult decisions, or explore new technologies through Wallace-and-Gromit style contraptions, the Research without Borders showcase brings the weird and wonderful world of research to life through fun activities designed for everyone to enjoy. Last year’s festival featured fascinating activities like robot athletics, experiencing a night at a refugee camp and trying to pilot a drone.

Professor Nishan Canagarajah, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, said: “Our postgraduate research students play a vital role in developing key advancements which tackle issues around health, the environment, education and technology. We’re inviting the public to explore some of our ground-breaking University research in new and exciting ways.”

Visitors who stay until the end of the day will be able to watch the live finals of the Three Minute Thesis competition from 4.30pm to 5pm – with eight researchers presenting their research in a mere 180 seconds. Attendees will even be able to vote for their favourites.

Free tickets
Sign up now for free tickets to the Colston Hall research exhibition and drop in between 11am and 4:30pm to view the interactive exhibits.

Evening discussions
In addition to the Colston Hall exhibition, the festival programme also includes two evening talks in the Watershed. Held on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 May (6pm – 8pm), the events will allow Bristolians to get their teeth into topics such as Bristol’s future One City sustainability plans and the implications digital advancements have in the healthcare sector.

Festival-goers will discover how research is used to tackle the challenges of the 21st Century and how it can impact on their lives. Evening talks will be followed by a debate, giving the audience the opportunity to challenge and question the presenters, and will finish with a drinks reception.

Book free tickets now
Wednesday, May 8th, 6-8pm: Bristol’s Once City Plan – an interdisciplinary dialogue on a sustainable future city
Thursday, May 9th, 6-8pm: Measurable humans – how good does our digital health look?

For more information about the festival visit the Research without Borders website.