British Science Association

Confidence and support to teach science has fallen, primary education report suggests New research on the current state of primary school science education in the UK shows encouraging improvements, alongside a number of concerning signs for confidence in science teaching and leadership...

A new report surveying 1,200+ teachers on the current state of primary school science education in the UK shows encouraging improvements, alongside a number of concerning signs for confidence in science teaching and leadership >>

www.britishscienceassociation.org/News/confide...

Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge's presidential address President of the British Science Association for 2025/26 Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge gave her presidential address at the British Science Festival in a fireside chat with Turi King. They d...

“I learned to take the sewing machine apart, so I suppose it started there...”

At the British Science Festival in Liverpool, our 2025-26 BSA President, Baroness Brown, spoke on the origins of her love for science, her career, and the future:

www.britishscienceassociation.org/blog/julia-k...

Image of a scientist in white lab coat, with a pipette and testtube. They are wearing a white lab coat and are a wheelchair user. Other scientists work in the background. A quote overlayed says "it's through change that science progresses, and good science is diverse and inclusive, including for disabled people. We are here, within science as scientists." - Dr Frankie Doddato

What can employers do to create a more inclusive environment?

In a new guest blog, Dr Frankie Doddato, physicist at Lancaster University, writes on the vital role of the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks, and its STEMM Action Group:

www.britishscienceassociation.org/Blog/disable...

Reflections on the British Science Festival in Liverpool The BSA's Head of Policy and Public affairs Martha Kirby reflects on the British Science Festival 2025, and on the importance of hands-on science education - for all ages - that engages and inspires.

In a new blog, the BSA's Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Martha Kirby, reflects on the British Science Festival #BSF25 in Liverpool, and on the importance of hands-on science education - for all ages - that engages and inspires:

www.britishscienceassociation.org/Blog/reflect...

Jane Goodall, world-renowned primatologist, dies aged 91 Jane Goodall Institute says ‘tireless advocate’ for natural world died in California during US speaking tour

“There is still an awful lot left and that’s what we’ve got to fight to save.”

Thank you Dr Jane Goodall – primatologist, conservationist, an expert and a revolutionary, who lived a long and incredible life working tirelessly for our planet.

www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

Two female dancers in huge beautiful birds' wings and colourful makeup bow facing each other on the steps of a large Cathedral, a tapestry depicting birds hanging in the background

A female dancer looks to the ceiling, her one bird wing in front of her and the other raised. She is East Asian with black hair, orange makeup. Light shines through the cathedral's stained glass behind.

These images by Tommy Wong of dance company Movema at Liverpool Cathedral during the British Science Festival are too beautiful to just keep to Instagram. But join us on there for more!

In the background, artwork by Maria Loizidou 🕊️

Taking Flight was programmed with Liverpool Biennial 🪶

#BSF25

When @ljmuofficial.bsky.social's official photographer snaps you in action at the @britsciassoc.bsky.social British Science Festival! It was great to see Europe's longest standing science festival hosted in Liverpool & be given a platform to bring #ornithology to the public. @ljmuimpact.bsky.social🌍

New opportunity: Community-Led Research Collaboration The Ideas Fund is a grants programme run by the British Science Association and funded by Wellcome.

Our grants programme, The Ideas Fund, has £80,000 available to improve and strengthen support for individuals and organisations who are delivering community-led research.

We want to co-design how this funding is used with people involved in the work >>

theideasfund.org/news/new-opp...

This week marked the conclusion of the @britsciassoc.bsky.social Community Led Research Pilot, led by Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans & @dralicempofucoles.bsky.social.

We celebrated the achievements of six community groups who shared learnings through case studies, videos and final report.

🔗 rdg.ac/47QUUQo

Had such a fantastic time at the British Science Festival on Saturday. It was a joy to connect with so many brilliant researchers. Thank you to @britsciassoc.bsky.social for making me this year’s Award Lecturer for Science & the Arts - it’s been incredible! #BSF25 #histmed #disabilityhistory

Report highlights disconnect between data collection and action on EDI in UK science and tech sector A year-long project on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategies in the UK’s science sector – led by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM – has drawn to a clos...

Our year-long project on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (#EDI) strategies in the UK’s science and tech sectors has drawn to a close with a new report exploring data collection, analysis and insight.

Read our findings and recommendations >>

www.britishscienceassociation.org/News/report-...

Science comes alive at the 2025 British Science Festival - University of Liverpool News Science comes alive at the 2025 British Science Festival

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the Festival such a success!! 💙 #BritishScienceFestival #BSF25 @britsciassoc.bsky.social

Read more and see our highlights here >>> brnw.ch/21wVNyw

Thousands joined us in Liverpool for the British Science Festival 2025.

We were proud to co-host the festival with @britsciassoc.bsky.social and the University of Liverpool delivering 100+ free events.

Read more ➡️ www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/new...

Thank you @britsciassoc.bsky.social for inviting me to #BSF25! I loved inspiring the audience about rocks and the magical stories they can tell us 🩵🙏🏾

Robo-chemists, eye-trackers and a VR fishing boat: the last day of the British Science Festival 2025 The final day of the British Science was a takeover of the Museum of Liverpool. There were family-friendly stalls and talks around the museum. Visitors could see a robotic arm for use in labs, and lea...

The British Science Festival, a partnership with @liverpooluni.bsky.social and @ljmuofficial.bsky.social is over for another year! Goodbye Liverpool 🥲👋🏻 #BSF25

Here's one final blog, with some day five highlights from Museum of Liverpool:

www.britishscienceassociation.org/blog/robo-ch...

Explored the British Science Festival 2025 of @britsciassoc.bsky.social with @liverpooluni.bsky.social and @ljmuofficial.bsky.social, loads of inspiring talks, engaging workshops and installations. What a wonderful #BSF25! @livuniresearch.bsky.social @livunihss.bsky.social

Dusted off the art skills (or lack thereof) for an anatomy drawing workshop as part of the British Science Festival hosted in Liverpool last week! #BSF25 @britsciassoc.bsky.social

The cover of WHY DON'T THINKS FALL UP. "Seven fundamental science questions explored and explained".

Just finished reading this, written with engaging enthusiasm and admirable clarity by @alomshaha.bsky.social.

I took 3 sciences and maths at A level, so was familiar with much of the content, but it made me realise how much I'd forgotten and how much more has been discovered in the 30 years since.

The brilliant @sosowemimo.bsky.social joined me & @livunihss.bsky.social colleague Stephen Kenny yesterday to talk racism, colonialism and health @britsciassoc.bsky.social

Phages, geophonics and prosthetics: the fourth day of British Science Festival 2025 During the fourth day day of the British Science Festival, visitors found a host of events at The Black-E, including a fascinating talk on prosthetics from Tilly Lockey, and a one-of-a-kind walking to...

At this point in the British Science Festival, we're only able to figure out what day it is by our blog posts 😂 An incredible week. Check out yesterday's day 4 highlights incl @gilesyeo.bsky.social and Tilly Lockey 🦾

Join us on IG for more! #BSF25

www.britishscienceassociation.org/blog/phages-...

Fab time giving a talk about obesity therapeutics in my role as president of the biological section of the 2025 British Science Festival in Liverpool! Followed by an excellent meal in Chinatown #obesityisnotachoice

Dr Hannah Little standing next to a model of the voyager probe

Brilliant, informative & funny talk by @hanachronism.bsky.social on the Voyager probe at @britsciassoc.bsky.social festival. And fantastic accompanying online exhibition on SF & alien language curated by @jonathanthornton.bsky.social @livunihss.bsky.social digitalheritagelab.liverpool.ac.uk/voyager

Thank you to all that contributed to our Voyager exhibit today and created golden records at the British Science Festival! Some of my favourites are here, but I know I missed many so I'll be going through them once I've recovered a bit! @britsciassoc.bsky.social

We agree entirely!

(Although, the terrible weather up here in Liverpool has put a dampener on our outfit and footwear choices... 😅 Skies currently dry, we'll keep our fingers crossed for the lovely shoes, and see you soon!)

There's room for us ALL in #science, folks - whether you're into heels or flats, brights or neutrals.

This is why I love the community-focused approach at events like #bsf25. Yes, there's fab science going on in academia and industry, but it's also about how we as a culture "see" scientists too...

These photos are by one of our two roving local photographers for the week, the excellent Gavin Trafford. Join us over on Instagram too - britishscienceassociation - for more picture and video highlights from #BSF25 📷🤳🏻

Photo of Meg in drag-style scary moon head and white makeup, making a dramatic gesture in front of a ladder wrapped in foil.

Meg in a beige sweater and pants, white moon makeup and headpiece, speaks into a mic. A fellow performer in creepy mask and leopard print trousers sits on a chair.

The scientists who attended our first annual gatherings 190+ years ago couldn't have anticipated this sort of thing in 2025... but we loved Meg Hodgson's show MOONFACE at Unity Theatre last night. Don't worry, there's still science talks a-plenty at the Festival! Something for everyone at #BSF25 🌝

We are still buzzing from our show! Here’s some snaps of what you missed… in case you were wondering….

Huge thank you to the whole production team and the people who made this happen!

@microbiologysociety.org @britsciassoc.bsky.social @emmottlab.bsky.social @livuninews.bsky.social
#BSF25

Whale song, urban farming and science comedy: the third day of the British Science Festival 2025 The third day of the British Science Festival mostly took place in Kazimier Garden and on venues on Liverpool's iconic Bold Street. The drop-in stalls offered visitors the chance to make botanic print...

It's been another brilliant day at the British Science Festival in Liverpool, with talks, shows, and drop-ins at Kazimier Garden, LEAF, Bold Street and more.

Our third #BSF25 blog captures just some of the highlights.

Join us on IG for more! >>

www.britishscienceassociation.org/blog/whale-s...

British Science Festival talk went well. Clearly people like archaeology. Not an empty seat in the house!