Six weeks to go until the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition 2026
19 May 2026- Meet world-leading researchers from universities and science institutions across the UK at the Summer Science Exhibition, the Royal Society’s annual celebration of cutting-edge science
- 13 flagship exhibits, and over 60 talks, panels, interactive activities, performances and screenings over six days
- Over 100 speakers, including Kevin Fong, David Spiegelhalter, Deborah Cohen, Afrodeutsche, Bobby Seagull, Gaia Vince, and Mark Miodownik
- The event is free and suitable for all ages
- Booking in advance is highly recommended, priority entry tickets can be
With only six weeks to go, the full line up of talks, hands-on activities and screenings has been announced for the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition, an annual celebration of cutting-edge science from across the UK.
From how to brew the perfect cup of coffee to the science (fiction) behind award-winning movies, this year’s programme is packed full of unexpected ways science connects to everyday life. Talks and activities will explore everything from the chemistry of baking cakes, the UK’s deepest underground lab, to the hidden impacts of fast fashion on our oceans.
The doors will open to the public at 6pm on Tuesday 30 June, with a late opening for adults only. Alongside 13 flagship exhibits showcasing groundbreaking research from scientists across the country, visitors can attend a live recording of the New Scientist podcast: The World, The Universe and Us, with an expert panel debating how science can help win the World Cup. Book lovers can dive into the six titles shortlisted for this year’s Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize, with judges and authors discussing what makes a great science story following the announcement of the shortlist earlier in the day.
Throughout the week there will be more fascinating science to discover, including a strand of talks exploring the hidden science of everyday materials lead by Professor Mark Miodownik, the Royal Society’s Professor for Public Engagement in Science.
Ahead of the Pride in London march, the Exhibition will open after hours on Friday 3 July for an evening celebrating exciting advancements in science and research through an LGBTQ+ lens. Take a queer tour of the Exhibition with a fabulous line-up of drag performers, and listen to talks covering sexual diversity in nature, the science of dating apps, and the research behind different elements of drag.
Celebrating Britain’s best-loved naturalist at 100, there will be a weekend of wildlife, conservation and biodiversity-related talks, panel discussions and screenings showcasing some of the most iconic moments from Attenborough documentaries over the decades.
Finally, meet the next generation of scientists at the Young Researcher Zone, where school students funded through the Royal Society Partnership Grants scheme will be sharing their discoveries.
Dr Sandra Knapp, Royal Society Fellow and Chair of the Society’s Public Engagement Committee, said:
“For more than 30 years the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition has showcased exciting research from across the UK and offered visitors a chance to engage with the people behind those stories and hear first-hand about the excitement of being a scientist.
“From mysteries of the universe to a quest for safer cancer treatments, the treasures of natural history collections around the world, and a chance to celebrate the finest storyteller of them all, Sir David Attenborough, this year’s exhibition will have something new for every visitor to discover.”