University news

The second annual University of Glasgow Science Festival gets underway this week.

Running from April 10 until June 21, more than 20,000 people are expected to attend the events, lectures, schools days and family fun extravaganzas lined up.

Now in its second year, the festival showcases the best of scientific knowledge and understanding the University has to offer.

Professor John Coggins, University of Glasgow Vice Principal of Life Sciences, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, said: “We are delighted that the Science Festival has returned for a second year.

“For those who attended any of the events of last year, they will know to expect a excellent experience that shows science at its best.

“'For more than 500 years, the University of Glasgow has been at the forefront of scientific thought and the festival is a way of showing the country, and the world, that science is just as important now as it has ever been.

“Our scientists are continuing to make world-class breakthroughs and they want to share their new knowledge and their enthusiasm with as many people as possible.

“The Festival features academics from across the range of subjects at which we excel. There will be contributions from graduate students and research fellows as well as from our senior professors and from the University’s Chancellor, Professor Sir Kenneth Calman.

“Of particular importance is the role the festival plays in showing school children that science is exciting, relevant and important in today’s world.”

The public lecture series features 14 different speakers discussing topics as diverse as the science of flight, the engineering behind the rebuilding human bones and science fiction’s place in public understanding of science.

In May, the Saturday Science Club will see five events for 8 to 12 years olds to get them enthused about all things scientific and two family funs days in June will use the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery as the backdrop for a series of events designed for all age groups.

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For more information, contact Ray McHugh in the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3535 or email r.mchugh@admin.gla.ac.uk

http://www.glasgowsciencefestival.org.uk/

For bookings please phone 0141 330 2806

First published: 10 April 2008