Imperial prepares for its first public festival

The Imperial Festival will take place on 11 and 12 May - New release

Imperial College London News Release

For immediate release
Monday 30 April 2012

Robotic surgery, spray-on-clothing and science stand-up feature among the music, comedy and science demonstrations at Imperial College London’s first public festival

**Festival open on 11 and 12 May**

Where can you analyse your fingerprints, try your hand at surgery and have a pint with a professor, while listening to music and comedy?

The answer is the first public festival held by one of the world’s leading science-focused universities, Imperial College London. The Festival features everything from forensics to robots and artwork to enterprise through a programme of hands-on research demonstrations, talks, workshops and street performances.

Free and open to all, the Imperial Festival takes place at the College’s South Kensington Campus, in London’s museum quarter, a short walk from both South Kensington underground station and Hyde Park. The Festival gives visitors of all ages the chance to chat directly with Imperial researchers and:

•  Debate issues of the day with soapbox scientists
•  Make your own planisphere for some private star gazing
•  Discover how we saved the Leaning Tower of Pisa from leaning too far
•  Explore new Paralympic technologies
•  Find out what a gramophone DJ is and tap your toe to his tunes

Natasha Martineau, Head of Research Communications at Imperial College London, said:

“This is the first time we’ve thrown open our doors on such a scale, to reveal the wonderful and surprising world of Imperial College London. The Friday evening will be a great night out in central London, and the Saturday promises to be a terrific day of family entertainment and a chance to see what scientific discoveries and innovations are coming next from Imperial.”

Drop in

Members of the public can drop in at any time during the Festival.

Address: Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington Campus, SW7 2AZ.
Admission: free
Dates and opening hours: Friday 11 May (18.00 – 22.00) and Saturday 12 May (12.00 – 18.00).

Website: www.imperial.ac.uk/festival

For further information contact:
J-P Jones
Imperial College London Press Office
Tel: 020 7594 6704

Email: john-paul.jones@imperial.ac.uk

 Simon Watts
Imperial College London Press Office
Tel: 020 7594 6701

Email: s.watts@imperial.ac.uk

Notes to Editors:

 About Imperial College London

Consistently rated amongst the world's best universities, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 14,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering an d business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture. 

Since its foundation in 1907, Imperial's contributions to society have included the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the application of research for the benefit of all continues today, with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to improve global health, tackle climate change, develop sustainable sources of energy and address security challenges.

In 2007, Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust formed the UK's first Academic Health Science Centre. This unique partnership aims to improve the quality of life of patients and populations by taking new discoveries and translating them into new therapies as quickly as possible.

www.imperial.ac.uk