Another packed year ahead for the Institute for Policy and Engagement

Happy New Year!

We have a packed calendar of events and activities across Policy and Public Engagement for 2025. Take a look at our key events in January, February and March.

Science Public Lecture

Thursday 16 January 2025

Our monthly Science Public Lectures are kicking off this year with Dr. Hadrien Peyret an assistant professor in Plant Virology and Biotechnology in the Faculty of Science at the University of Nottingham. The lecture will explore Green Factories: Harnessing Plants for the Production of Pharmaceuticals and Vaccines.

Dr. Hadrien Peyret will explain how and why plants are being used as bio factories to produce valuable pharmaceutical products, including vaccines, antibodies, and anti-cancer drugs, and the potential benefits and challenges of this emerging technology in biotechnology.

For more information and to book your free place at the January Public Lecture, fill in this quick registration form.

Evidence Week

Monday 20 – Friday 24 January 2025

Evidence Week brings together the public, researchers and parliamentarians to discuss how evidence is used and scrutinised at Westminster.

The University of Nottingham, headed by the Institute for Policy and Engagement, is once again one of the universities being featured at Evidence Week this year. Nottingham's key policy brief will be on decarbonising air travel, with researcher Sharmila Sumsurooah explaining the value of her research.

More information and the full programme can be found on the Evidence Week website.

Three people standing in a room talking An image of evidence week in 2023

Festival of Science and Curiosity (FOSAC)

Monday 10 – Friday 21 February 2025

The Festival and Science and Curiosity (FOSAC) is back for another year, from the 10th to the 21st February in various venues across Nottinghamshire.

The festival is about inviting the people of Nottinghamshire to share not only what they know, but also what they would like to know; it’s about celebrating curiosity, asking questions and taking a leading role in finding out the answers.

The first week of the festival is within term time and include a range of activities with scientists and researchers going into schools, pupils getting out and visiting science sites, as well as students presenting their own science investigations.

The second week of the festival is during half term, with activities in community settings like libraries, museums and shopping centres so families can come along and explore a range of science activities together.

Science in the Park

Saturday 8 March 2025

Science in the Park returning once again to Wollaton Hall on Saturday 8th March 2025! In collaboration with Nottingham Trent University, the event aims to bring the universities' world-leading research to the public through engaging, family-friendly activities. With hands-on experiences for all ages, Science in the Park makes science accessible, fun, and interactive. The event encourages community involvement, celebrates local scientific achievements, and fosters a love for discovery.

The event is free of charge, however tickets sell out quickly, so make sure you sign up to our newsletter to be the first to get tickets.

Two boys holding a animal skull

More information

For more information regarding our upcoming events, please visit our website.

To access Science in the Park early bird tickets, sign up to our newsletters here.

This blog was written by Phillipa Abery. If you would like more information regarding the above events, please email our shared inbox, theinstitute@nottingham.ac.uk.