With the deadline for exhibiting at the 2016 Imperial Festival just days away, researchers explain what it is like to take part.

Over the last five years, the Imperial Festival has grown to attract over 15,000 people including neighbours, friends, alumni and the wider public. It is a celebration of life at the College, and in particular the world-class research that takes place at Imperial.

The 2016 event will take place on 7 and 8 of May. The Festival team is working on this year's programme and the deadline for proposals to exhibit is Friday 5 February.

Last year over 400 Imperial academics and students took part, explaining their work in entertaining, interactive and innovative ways. Watch the video above to find out about the impact of taking part, and some of the things researchers learnt along their Festival.

Researchers say the benefits of taking part in the Festival include:

• the opportunity to showcase early-stage technologies,
• gaining a new passion for work when they return to the lab,
• the opportunity to show people why their research is worth funding,
• and getting ideas about new potential applications for their research.

Festival Director, Natasha Martineau said: “If you would like to take a chance to step outside of your lab, meet new people interested in your research, and get a boost of fresh thinking and ideas about what you do, please apply for this year’s Festival. You have until mid-day on Friday 5 February.”

Apply to take part in the Imperial Festival 2016.

Get interactive

Follow updates and join the conversation on social media via the hashtag #impfest. As you develop your idea, post behind-the-scenes photos and videos to share the wonder of your exhibits.