Following an incredible week-long exploration of a greener future, the Festival returns next summer for a major celebration of science and the arts.

The 2022 Great Exhibition Road Festival will explore the pioneering ideas, people and communities that are changing our world.  

“We’re really excited to see what ideas the Imperial community come up with. I am always so impressed by the innovative and creative ways Imperial staff seek to engage wider audiences with our work.” James Romero Public Engagement Programme Manager

“The Festival is a unique opportunity for staff and students at Imperial to be part of something truly meaningful and memorable for them and also for the many visitors we welcome,”said Vicky Brightman, Head of Public Engagement at Imperial.

Festival team member James Romero added: “We’re really excited to see what ideas the Imperial community come up with. I am always so impressed by the innovative and creative ways Imperial staff seek to engage wider audiences with our work.” 

Imperial staff and students can submit their proposals for Festival contributions via the official proposal form. The deadline for submissions is Sunday 28 November 2021. 

Register your interest.

CELEBRATING OUR WORLD

Last week, thousands of visitors and online participants experienced the wonder of science and the arts at the 2021 Great Exhibition Road Festival: One World. Thanks to the involvement of staff, researchers and volunteers from across Imperial, audiences enjoyed a fascinating week of free events for all ages that examined the ways in which arts and science can make our planet greener. Workshops, talks and interactive events explored the diversity of the world around us, from the tiny nanoparticles inside our bodies to the sun, the rainforest, the oceans and our future environment.

In collaboration with museums and cultural organisations on and around Exhibition Road, including the Royal Albert Hall, Science Museum, Natural History Museum, and V&A, Imperial invited members of the public to explore the big ideas behind climate change alongside creative solutions, ranging from global policy and intervention to at-home resourcefulness such as DIY soapmaking or reinventing our wardrobes. Visitors were able to enjoy impressive design installations, music and even live poetry from green poet Martin Kiszko, while Black History Month was celebrated with a panel of inspiring talks from key figures in arts and culture, eco-finance, engineering and community leadership. 

SHARE YOUR TRAILBLAZING IDEAS AND EVERYDAY HEROES AT THE 2022 FESTIVAL 

Next year's Festival will be on a much larger scale, returning to the size of the first Great Exhibition Road Festival in 2019, where more than 60,000 people attended.  Imperial’s Public Engagement team, who run the Festival, are reaching out to the Imperial community to get involved and help share Imperial’s cutting-edge research with the world. It is an opportunity for staff and students to bring Imperial’s work to new audiences, gain new insights and perspectives on their research, develop skills, and connect with the public and creative partners to tackle shared challenges. 

“If you’re inspired to take part, to offer a workshop exploring your passion or a talk that highlights your team’s work, we would love to hear from you.” says James. “Could you explain something fascinating about the world to a new audience? Would you like to share the amazing knowledge you’ve gained through research in innovative ways? Let us know and you could be part of something great next year.” 

Lara Mistry, Senior Public Engagement Programme Manager said: “It’s exciting to be planning our return to a much larger Festival next year, providing a platform for Imperial’s staff and students to engage the public directly with their research.  

“This year's Festival will have more opportunities than ever before for Imperial's community to get involved. As well as the Festival weekend itself, people are invited to take part in the online events programme throughout the year, contribute activities for family packs for underserved local audiences, or help engagement with schools.

Created under the theme of Trailblazers, the 2022 Festival will explore the pioneering ideas, people and communities that are changing our world as Exhibition Road is transformed into a huge festival of science and the arts. The Festival, along with many other public engagement events and activities, is central to a key pillar of the College's Strategy to empower society through meaningful engagement and dialogue with our work.

Over a packed weekend of hands-on workshops, talks, exhibits and performances for all ages, the Great Exhibition Road Festival will bring people together to celebrate the everyday heroes whose contribution to their communities has inspired us all, as well as the incredible people who are leading the way in their fields.  

The Festival enables visitors to explore the extraordinary, discover the power of ideas and celebrate curiosity at an uplifting and joyful weekend for all ages, showcasing the vast range of Imperial’s research through creative collaborations. 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED 

Anyone at Imperial can be involved in the Festival and the Public Engagement team are looking for inspiring ideas and exciting activities to celebrate Imperial’s work with a wide range of audiences. 

“Even if you’re new to public engagement, expressions of interest are welcome as well as more defined ideas for what you would like to bring to the Festival,” says James.  

The team are also running clinics on 5 and 11 November to enable staff to talk through ideas. Sign up by emailing festival@imperial.ac.uk.

Interested Imperial staff and students can submit their proposals for Festival contributions via the official proposal form. The deadline for submissions is Sunday 28 November 2021. 

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