Step inside the world of science at Birkbeck
From 15 to 18 June, over three evenings from 6-8pm, the Faculty of Science will host engaging and interactive free public events available to anyone interested in science and those considering studying science at university.
From microscopic interactions to the mysteries of human cognition and the surprising beauty of mathematical geometry, Birkbeck Science Week will return in June 2026 with a programme of free public events celebrating scientific research.
Hosted by the Faculty of Science at Birkbeck, the annual event series invites students, researchers and members of the public to engage with internationally recognised research from the Schools of Psychological Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Computing and Mathematical Sciences.
Taking place over three evenings from 6 to 9pm on 15 to 18 June, Science Week 2026 will feature interactive lectures, research showcases, poster exhibitions and lab tours designed to make complex scientific ideas accessible and engaging for broad audiences.
This year’s programme includes:
- Monday 15 June, 6-8pm: The School of Natural Sciences presents Interactions at Microscopic Scales with Dr Keyron Hickman-Lewis talking about fossilised microbial ecosystems and Dr Brian Ho delving into the molecular mechanism of cell-to-cell interactions within bacterial communities.
- Tuesday 16 June, 6-8pm: The School of Psychological Sciences presents a conversation with Professor Matthew Longo to discuss the concept of the invisible hand and to show how it facilitates the extraordinary abilities of the human hand.
- Thursday 18 June, 6-8pm: The School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences presents Space-Filling Curves - From Surprising Geometry to Practical Uses in Computing, by Dr David Weston, who will explain how space-filling curves are constructed and show how they are useful in many practical areas of computing.
Alongside the lectures, the Faculty will award three Science PhD prizes recognising outstanding early career researchers from each School. Attendees will also have opportunities to meet academics, students and prize winners during evening receptions following each event.
Science Week has become one of Birkbeck’s flagship public engagement events, building on a long tradition of sharing research with audiences beyond academia. Previous years have explored topics ranging from artificial intelligence and astrobiology to neuroscience and human-machine interaction.
The event series reflects Birkbeck’s continuing commitment to widening access to higher education and creating opportunities for lifelong learning.
Science Week 2026 is free to attend and open to all. More information and registration details are available on the Science Week webpage.