25th March 2026
Our Celebration of Science 2026 event took place on the 25th March 2026 in George Fox, and was an exciting day packed with fantastic talks and interactive sessions.
Dr Lucy Rogers MBE FREng is an alumna of Lancaster's School of Engineering, recipient of the Lancaster Alumni Award, an inventor, and author whose work blends technical expertise with creative problem-solving. Known to many as a judge on the BBC’s Robot Wars, she brings a distinctive perspective on how hands-on engineering and making can spark innovation. Her talk traces a varied career — from explaining spaceflight in It’s Only Rocket Science and exploring ingenuity in Up, to applying to become an astronaut and creating a forum supporting women through the application process.
|
Time |
Event |
Location |
|---|---|---|
|
9.30am |
Welcome to the Celebration of Science and Keynote from Dr Lucy Rogers |
George Fox LT1 |
|
10.30am |
Student Poster Session – refreshments available |
George Fox Foyer |
|
11.15am |
Panel 1: Innovating Planetary Repair |
George Fox LT1 |
|
12.15pm |
Student Speed Talk Competition |
George Fox LT1 |
|
1.15pm |
Lunch and Departmental Exhibits |
George Fox Foyer and LTs 2/3/4 for stands and 5/6 for lunch |
|
2.30pm |
What will our research look like in 20 years? |
George Fox LT1 |
|
3.15pm |
Refreshments |
George Fox Foyer |
|
3.30pm |
Panel 2: Future Technologies |
George Fox LT1 |
|
4.30pm |
Awards |
George Fox LT1 |
|
4.45pm |
Close |
Every year, we welcome academics from across the Faculty to showcase their research in a series of departmental exhibits and stalls, and provide all staff the opportunity to learn more about the work that is undertaken across the disciplines.
Dr Elmira Yadollahi and PhD researcher Shyamli Suneesh bring their interactive robot, QT, to meet visitors and explain their research on children’s interactions with robots, focusing on transparent, explainable robot behaviour and supporting children’s AI literacy within human–robot interaction.
Engineers Tom Abram and Chris Lambert bring their 3D printed lithophanes to showcase how additive manufacturing is helping the visually impaired experience artwork. Developed in collaboration with Lancaster Museum and Galloways.
Physics’ stands highlight research being commercialised by spinouts Quinas Technology and Photarix that exploit quantum to generate a future with energy-efficient computing and quantum-secure communication.
Dr Kirsty Dunn from Psychology (in collaboration with ISS Innovation Hub and Stuart Marshall) showcases her VR experience "Jukebox in the Womb", allowing participants to explore a simulated in-utero environment and experience sounds as a developing foetus would.
Meet Professor Carly Stevens and her team from the Limestone Pavements Partnership as they showcase their gallery of photography from the local pavement habitats and share why these unique environments require our protection.
Chemistry’s exhibit demonstrates their smart window devices, which are capable of reversibly switching between transparent and reflective states using a pulsed applied current in order to reduce heat load, making vehicles more energy efficient.
From the School of Mathematical Sciences, Dr Lefteris Kastis and team explain the principles of rigidity and flexibility (with the help of some geomag).
Psychology and the Reimagining Research Practices team introduce the new rib:bit device, expanding the capabilities of the micro:bit. See how you can engage participants to hop into research in the real-world environment.
This year, we were also fortunate to be able to offer a fantastic public lecture, delivered by Dr Lucy Rogers in The Gregson Centre.
Speaker: Dr Lucy Rogers MBE — engineer, inventor, maker, and author of Up: A Scientist’s Guide to the Magic Above Us (Available for pre-order, comes out April 2026)
The general public joined us for a 75-minute session with Dr Lucy Rogers MBE, whose career blends hands-on engineering, inventive making, and a gift for turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.
The event began with a 30-minute interview, exploring the experiences and inventive mindset that have shaped Lucy’s varied career — from practical engineering challenges and creative projects to her work helping people notice and appreciate more of the world around them.
This was followed by 30 minutes of stories and insights from her book, Up: A Scientist’s Guide to the Magic Above Us. Lucy shared memorable anecdotes, surprising observations, and the ingenious science found in the skies above, drawing on the same spirit of exploration that informs her writing on spaceflight, innovation, and human curiosity.
The session concludes with a 15-minute audience Q&A, offering a chance to dive deeper into Lucy’s ideas, adventures, and inspirations.
Blending humour, clarity, and an eye for the extraordinary in the everyday, this event invited audiences to look up, think differently, and rediscover the creativity and science woven into the world around us.
