Experience the weird and the wonderful at the cutting edge of Bristol’s research

Press release issued: 2 May 2019

Eavesdrop on crocodiles, churn butter in a Roman kitchen and explore Earth before the dinosaurs lived on it — just some of the exciting activities that members of the public can experience during Research without Borders, the University of Bristol’s free public festival of postgraduate research, which includes a day-long showcase at Colston Hall on 15 May.

The only UK university exhibition of its kind and calibre, the annual interactive festival offers the public a chance to meet the people working at the cutting edge of research.

80 postgraduate researchers and over 55 stalls will give visitors the chance to get hands on with the fascinating and often surprising work being done, on some of the world’s most pressing issues.

Visitors can: land at the space hangar to find out about human diversity and difference, have a go at delivering a baby using next generation medical equipment, visit extreme polar conditions to play the ‘what’s under the ice’ game, experience life in the lab, and explore 19^th Century railways in boardgame form.

Professor Nishan Canagarajah, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, said: “Research without Borders 2019 brings together postgraduate researchers from across disciplines to showcase some of the latest research that is taking place here in Bristol. It aims to put this research into conversation with the wider community around us.

Together, we can explore what possibilities exist when we ask questions rather than settle for quick fix answers; when we challenge ourselves to step out of the ordinary framework of day-to-day life and approach the world from new perspectives.”

This year will feature the addition of a research-inspired piece of art, which is being created by local artist, Zoe Cameron [acclaimed for her work on A Bristol Murmuration], in collaboration with seven academics from disciplines including music, neuroscience and engineering.

The final art piece will be unveiled on the Ground Floor of Colston Hall on May 15, and then displayed permanently at the heart of campus for students to enjoy.

Free evening panel presentations [with the University’s Cabot Institute for the Environment and Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research] followed by Q&As will take place at the Watershed ahead of the showcase, including:

Bristol's One City Plan: an interdisciplinary dialogue on a sustainable future city [Wednesday 8 May, 6–8 pm]
Measurable humans: how good does our digital health look? [Thursday 9 May, 6–8 pm]