Festival showcases University of York research

Join us at York Festival of Ideas as we showcase some of the innovative research that University of York researchers are leading on. This incredible work is contributing to solving some of the world’s most intractable problems, as well as helping us to understand the world we live in.

One of the world’s premier institutions for inspirational and life-changing research, the University of York’s work is focused around seven research themes. These align York’s academic strengths to best meet the grand scientific, social and environmental challenges of our time.

From spearheading research, training and standards in the safety of robotics and autonomous systems, to creating an environmentally friendly future, to the history of radicalism in children’s books, come along and find out about the life-changing research being carried out at the University of York. All our Festival events present research in an accessible and engaging way.

Creativity

It’s a Wonderful Digital Life

Discover the wonders of technology as University of York Library, IT and Archives staff showcase the transforming and exciting opportunities offered by the digital world. Hear about different aspects of digital, from augmented reality to digital archives, take part in hands-on activities and enjoy a digitally immersive experience. Sunday 9 June

The Poetry and Music of Science

Inspired by The Poetry and Music of Science, a new book by the University of York’s first Professor of Natural Philosophy, Tom McLeish, our Festival Focus Day aims to break the silence on the deep creativity and imagination required in science. Our speakers – artists, scientists, conductors and musicians – challenge the assumption that science is less creative than art and point to common territories in the creative process. Join in the discussion as we explore the interfaces between science and literature, art and astronomy, poetry, music and mathematics. Sunday 16 June

Culture and communication

Renaissance Wonders: Print and plays

The theatre and the printing press were two of the wonders of Renaissance England. Join Helen Smith of the University of York to learn more about ‘wonder’ in Shakespeare’s The Tempest and to try your hand printing a portion of Shakespeare’s play on a historic printing press. Offering three activities in one, this event includes a talk, an exhibition and the chance to print a souvenir of your visit. Wednesday 12 June

Giving Something Back: A library for Yorkshire

Find out about the Petyt Library, one of the cultural wonders of early modern Yorkshire, now housed at the University of York. Collected by Yorkshire brothers William and Sylvester Petyt, the Library contains around 2,500 important books and pamphlets. Learn how the successful London lawyers never forgot their Yorkshire roots, opening up a new world to the people of Skipton with their books. Thursday 13 June

Environmental sustainability and resilience

Energy Down the Drain

Have you ever wondered what happens to all the dirty water that goes down the drain? Find out as scientists take you on a guided tour of some of the University of York’s state-of-the-art research facilities. Discover how water companies recover energy from wastewater during the treatment process and learn more about the trailblazing research into renewable energy being carried out at York’s Department of Biology. Thursday 6 and Wednesday 12 June

Clean Air Day: Air pollution and York

Air pollution – it’s all over the news and all over our cities, but what do YOU really want to know about it? Find out about air quality research at the University of York, how it relates to our beautiful city and where it impacts on our everyday lives. Quiz experts from the University and City of York Council and consider the simple things that can be done to help improve the air we breathe ahead of Clean Air Day on 20 June 2019. Thursday 13 June

Health and wellbeing

Lost in Information

How do you decide what information to trust when you have questions about your health, mental health and well-being? This immersive exhibit explores the explosion in information from multiple sources, via social and mainstream media, through a series of short films. Against this swirling backdrop of competing and opposing views, the need for accurate, evidence-based information has never been greater. Tuesday 11 June

Marvellous Microbes

Learn about the wonderful world of ‘marvellous microbes’ with our family-friendly interactive demonstrations. Explore how microbes could stop the spread of tropical diseases and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Discover how York researchers are targeting specific body molecules inside the ‘smelly’ microbes to prevent body odour, and get to know your own microbes. Tuesday 11 June

Justice and equality

A Fair Economy. A Better World

In this age of globalisation, who is the economy for and who really benefits? How do we make sure economic theory translates into the desired outcomes? Crucially, how do we ensure the economy benefits everyone, not just the few? In partnership with the Friends Provident Foundation, our Festival Focus Day investigates the future of Economics and asks how we can create a fair and resilient economic system that benefits all. Friday 7 June

Inequality: Lessons from history

From the Stone Age to the modern day, has inequality always been inevitable? Our expert panel of archaeologists and sociologists discuss what lessons can be learnt from the history of social inequality. Join them to discover what inequality has meant over the centuries, and how it has been maintained by the elite and challenged by other social groups. Presented by the AHRC funded Counter Culture project. Monday 10 June

Risk, evidence and decision making

The Wonders of Rare Metals

Rare metals, with such exotic names as praseodymium, neodymium or promethium, are chemical elements present in very weak concentration in the Earth’s crust. They display fascinating magnetic properties and are extensively used in digital and so-called green technologies. Join Alice Courvoisier of the University of York and prepare to marvel at what these elements can do – and to face the darker side of the digital revolution. Friday 7 June

Artificial Intelligence: Looking to the future

Discover what the future may hold at our Artificial Intelligence (AI) Focus Day. From driverless cars to robotic health carers, where is AI taking us? What benefits will AI bring to our lives and what concerns should we have? Join us for informative discussions, hands-on activities and an opportunity to see driverless cars in action. Sunday 9 June

Technologies for the future

Creating an Environmentally Friendly Future

Join us for a fun, hands-on exhibition and learn how scientists are working to create an environmentally friendly future. Venture inside the Sundome to find out how the Sun works and discover how York researchers are trying to create fusion energy – mini-suns here on Earth – to power our world. Have a go at making bio-plastics from potatoes and experiment with different ways of cleaning up oil spills. Monday 3 June

Fun with Artificial Intelligence

Explore robots and AI technologies in this hands-on exhibition: Meet and talk to the robot Pepper; have a go at programming your own Lego Mindstorm robot; find out how AI works through an interactive game; and watch the latest technology park a car without anyone at the wheel. Sunday 9 June