“British Science Festival 2026 Programme
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| Hello friends of the PCE Hubs,
This month, we’re bringing you a special British Science Festival edition of the Future Cities PCE Hub newsletter to celebrate the upcoming 2026 programme! We’re highlighting some of the future cities-themed events that have caught our eye.
The British Science Festival is one of Europe’s longest-running science festivals and is hosted at a different location each year. The Festival provides a platform for scientists, innovators, researchers and artists, to share their work with the public. For this year’s Festival, a panel of young people from Southampton have worked with the Festival team and LifeLab, the University of Southampton’s research-based educational project, to help curate the five-day programme. The Festival takes place in locations across the city including Highfield Campus, Guildhall Square and Bitterne Precinct. View the full event timetable here.
All events are free and aimed at audiences aged 16 and over. Some require booking in advance, with some drop-in events and performances also taking place. Click the images below for more information about each event. |
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The Ordnance Survey vernacular map of Southampton | 16th & 17th September 10:00 – 15:00
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Ordnance Survey maps Great Britain in remarkable detail, but they’re also capturing something more personal: the names people use for the places they know and love. Local nicknames, and shortcuts can be crucial in helping emergency responders locate people quickly. Help build a living vernacular map of Southampton by sharing the names you use for landmarks, neighbourhoods and hidden spots.
No booking required. |
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Inspire Change Photography Competition with Willmott Dixon & Circular Economy Pop-Up | 16th & 17th September 10:00 – 15:00
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Your idea showcased at the British Science Festival. The Inspire Change Photography Competition celebrates circular economy champions and shows how small, everyday sustainability actions can spark big change.
Check out the competition details to find out more about the project and how to take part. Deadline 7th September.
Willmott Dixon, in partnership with the University of Southampton, are also creating a unique pop-up installation at the Festival. This experience will celebrate how simple, everyday actions can inspire meaningful change and encourage everyone to think about what they can do to recycle, repurpose and reuse in their daily life. |
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City Dreams | 18th September 17:00- 20:00 & 19th September 11:00 – 17:00
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Describe the Southampton you wish to see and your vision will be realised! Local artist Damian Bemben has created an installation that harnesses generative AI to build collective worlds across cultures. Combining voice recognition, 3D capture and AI techniques, this installation offers you the opportunity to speak your wish for Southampton City Centre and watch it appear! No booking required. |
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Southampton and the disappearing night | 18th September 19:00 – 20:00
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Over the past century, increasing artificial light has transformed the night, disrupting wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and affecting human health and wellbeing. Join Hannah Dalgleish (University of Southampton) as she shares her work with local councils and communities to explore the impacts of light pollution and discover how we can create safer, healthier nights for people and nature. |
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The skate equation | 18th – 20th September
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This drop in activity runs at the following times
- 18th September 18:00 – 18:45
- 19th September 13:30 – 14:15
- 20th September 15:30 – 16:15
In skateboarding, there’s geometry in every flip and algebra in every jump. Uncover the maths required to land the trick.
You don’t need to be a skateboarder to be ‘stoked’ about this collaboration between Skate Southampton and John Hansard Gallery.
They’ll be transforming Guildhall Square into a skaters’ haven, installing steel sculptures inspired by mathematical concepts to bring a new dimension to the jump and grind of the boards. See live skating demos, witness maths in motions and discover the shapes and angles needed to really pop some tricks.
No experience with skating or maths required.
No booking required. Image credit Steve Béga |
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SOUNDSCALE: Our sonic city | 18th – 20th September
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Explore Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), a technology that turns optical fibre networks into city-scale vibration sensors.
Brought to you by researchers and artists from SOUNDSCALE (University of Southampton and the National Oceanography Centre), this interactive exhibition explores how sensing technologies are changing our understanding of cities and the implications for planning, mobility, privacy and public space.
No booking required. Times vary. |
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Southampton’s Spogomi Showdown | 20th September 10:00 – 12:30
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Originating in Japan in 2008, Spogomi combines sport with gomihiroi (litter picking) to turn environmental action into friendly competition. In 2023, Team UK were crowned world champions in Tokyo. Now it’s your turn.
Enter solo or with a teammate and spend 45 minutes collecting and sorting litter for the chance to be crowned Southampton’s best litter picker. Open to everyone, all you need is enthusiasm and a competitive spirit. |
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Mapping the air we share | 20th September 11:00 – 17:00
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Do you know what’s in the air you breathe? Join the University of Southampton’s Faculty of Medicine to explore the air we share. Investigate household dust, map Southampton air pollution, discover how airborne particles affect our health, and share your views on improving air quality in Southampton and beyond.
Drop-in at the Sir James Matthews Building. |
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Other dates for your diary
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If It Don’t Exist, Build It: Ctrl+Alt+Reimagine
Wednesday 2nd September 2026, 2pm
Join the conversation about creativity, culture and change. You’re invited to a public summit defining and shaping the thought-leadership of SHAPE (Social sciences, Humanities, and the Arts for People and the Economy), with a focus on the role of the arts and culture in and beyond crisis, at Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton. |
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Winchester School of Art MA Degree Show
Wednesday 2nd to Saturday 5th September
Winchester School of Art is delighted to host its annual MA (Master of Arts) Degree Show, opening on Wednesday 2 September |
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Community individuals or groups can co-lead the application but, for financial purposes, the form must be submitted and ‘owned’ by a member of University of Southampton staff. |
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Exhibitor Call | Southampton Arts and Humanities Festival
Submission deadline: Monday 14th September |
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| Image credit: British Science Association
Please note that the information provided is correct as of 12th August; however, the programme remains subject to change.” |
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