As it celebrates its 35th anniversary, Edinburgh Science Festival (ESF) 2024 has every taste covered this year with a Shaping the Future programme, showcasing the cutting-edge technology and science to help us create a more sustainable future.
Taking place over the Easter holidays, ESF is the first and still one of Europe’s biggest science festivals. With the 2024 theme of Shaping the Future, the Festival continues its years-long commitment to Programming for the Planet. It urges everyone to build a more sustainable future as it showcases the cutting-edge technology, including Artificial Intelligence, and science research to help make that ambition a reality.
Edinburgh Science Director and CEO, Dr Simon Gage said “We have an amazing festival lined up for our 35th anniversary. The programme touches the cutting edge of invention from the worlds of AI, robotics, space exploration to the unusual such as giant rooms made of mushrooms. And in amongst it, we look at some more familiar things in an unusual way such as disposing of the dead, poisons, the psychology of magic and virus bingo. Whether you want to blast it, build it, bury it or bake it, we have something for you and for little ones too if you have some.”
Among the highlights are a series of talks aimed at adults, brings some of the world’s most renowned scientists and thinkers to the Scottish capital, including Prof Chris Lintott, presenter of the Sky at Night; Prof Richard Wiseman, psychologist, magician, entertainer; Dr Erica McAlister fly expert from the Natural History Museum; Rachel Miller, a National Geographic explorer; Laura Foster who is BBC Health and Science presenter and Prof Sarah Sharples, Chief Scientific Advisor for the Dept of Transport.
ESF is renowned for its unique presentations of arts colliding with STEM, creating STEAM, that delves deep into the alternative future with a visual arts exhibition Future Proof and this year Science Nights Out are back with more creative ways to get everyone hands-on with science in a relaxed environment.
ESF continues the collaboration with the venue partners around the city, including City Art Centre, sponsored by Cirrus Logic, which every year becomes the Festival’s premier family destination as well as National Museum of Scotland, Dynamic Earth, The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh Zoo, Summerhall, Bayes Centre and many others, with new additions of Panmure House, Mary’s King Close and The Biscuit Factory in Leith, each presenting a number of science events for children and adults. While 40% of what’s on offer is free to access, the annual Festival Opening Party, an adult-only take-over of the City Art Centre, remains the capital’s hot ticket.
ESF continues to present a series of BSL-interpreted, audio-described and relaxed sessions. At the City Art Centre, it also offers sensory backpacks available free of charge from the ticketing desk on the ground floor, and, newly, a Quiet Space on the fourth floor where visitors can take a break from the excitement. Visit the Festival website for more information on accessibility.
ESF dates: 30th March – 14th April 2024 and tickets are on sale now on edinburghscience.co.uk.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 