Hosted this year in Surry and attended by CBC Students, the British Science Festival brings together over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and engineers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public.

The British Science Festival, the showcase event of Britain’s science and science communication calendar, was this year held in the leafy confines of the University of Surrey’s Guildford campus. Aimed very much at the interested public, the event brought together some three hundred leading academics, researchers and writers to discuss their work and its impact upon people’s everyday lives. A number of young scientists were also invited, to present their work informally and face-to-face, allowing festival-goers to see the faces behind the white coats and goggles.

Each day’s programme contained a mixed bag - there were a number of traditional lectures, public demonstrations, hands-on science (for children of all ages, including some who should probably have known better), poster presentations and debates, but every day was capped with drinks and banter at the x-change, held in the students’ union terrace bar. A selection of the day’s best speakers were invited to present to the pub, including such luminaries as Jim Al-Khalili, Bill Bryson and Imperial’s own Simon Singh, interspersed with scientific espresso-shots in the form of two-minute presentations, genially chaired (and refereed) by the broadcaster Sue Nelson.

Festival write-up by CBC student Duncan Casey.