The 2025 Swindon Festival of Tomorrow will be held from 10 to 22 February. Last year, the event drew around 23,000 visitors, including people of all ages and backgrounds. It was especially popular with families who don’t usually take part in science-related activities.
Find out more about the Swindon Festival of Tomorrow on their website.
These are the opportunities to participate:
- Schools Programme (10-14 February): Engaging online shows with science communicators for EYFS, KS1, and KS2 students, complemented by virtual and in-school workshops. Proposals with interactive elements or follow-up activities for teachers are welcome.
- About Town Programme (15-22 February): Events and activities that attract audiences who typically don’t engage with science, research, tech, or innovation. Interactive and participatory activities such as workshops, tours, art installations, or performances are particularly welcome. Family-friendly events are especially relevant for the February half-term, though evening events for adults are also of interest.
- Hybrid Talks and Panels (15-22 February): In-person and hybrid discussions, interviews, and presentations for adults and teens interested in science and technology. Proposals that highlight new research, offer fresh perspectives, or engage audiences in discussions about relevant cultural and societal issues are sought.
The deadline for these is 6 October. Therefore, if interested, please let us know before you contact the festival organisers. For more information click here.
Finale Event (21-22 February)
This two-day family-focused event features hands-on exhibits, workshops, art installations, shows, and panels. They invite applications for exhibitions, shows, performances, and interactive activities. (Deadline 1 November)
We have funding available to support one stand at the Finale Festival. If you are interested, please submit a 300-word proposal outlining your planned activity.
The proposal should include the following:
- Title: Provide a clear and engaging title
- Your research: One or two sentences describing your research (50 words max.)
- Proposed activity: Explain what your activity entails and how you will make it engaging for your intended audience. Please include what you expect the key message, learning or ‘take-away’ for the audience will be.
- Resources: Outline the materials and support you will need to effectively present your activity.
Please email your proposal to c.magotra@reading.ac.uk by 5 pm on 1 November.