Researchers, would you like to be part of FUTURES? Activities are taking place at various points in 2026 and 2027 – take a look below to find out more about current opportunities.
What is FUTURES?
FUTURES 2026-27 is a festival of discovery that celebrates the research and innovation taking place in the West of England, and offers opportunities for over 275 researchers to participate in a wide range of public engagement events. Organised as part of Horizon Europe’s European Researchers’ Night, the festival is a platform for conversations about research and its relevance and importance to society. It aims to inspire children, families and adults to be curious, to consider some of the challenges we face today, and to invite them to reflect on how research might make the future brighter, and explore what kind of world we can create together.
Why get involved?
FUTURES is a unique opportunity to engage a broad public audience with your research. You’ll gain access to new audiences, raise awareness of your research, have conversations that may shape your research and its impact, and develop your skills and confidence in public engagement.
FUTURES activities
We’re currently looking for researchers to take part in our Schools Research Fair in March 2027, and we will run another call in Spring 2027 for our Summer 2027 activities.
Schools Research Fair, 12 March 2027, 08:30-16:00
Wills Memorial Building
“I did the Schools Research Fair and was amazed by how interested the kids were and how excited they were.” Researcher
Do you have an idea for engaging table-top activities based on your research that will spark curiosity, stimulate discussion and inspire school children aged 9-11 years old?
The Schools Research Fair is one of the biggest events in the FUTURES calendar, offering hundreds of children from local primary schools the opportunity to meet and talk to researchers and get hands-on with inspiring activities and demos.
We are looking for interactive stalls with activities that will engage, excite and inspire this young audience. Previous events have featured interactive displays, experiments, physical challenges and games. The school children will visit your stall in small groups for around 8 minutes, before moving on to another stall, so please think of an activity that you can take them through within this time. Your idea does not need to be fully developed, as the FUTURES team will work with you to refine it.
Where and when?
The Schools Fair will take place at the Wills Memorial building on Friday 12 March 2027 from 08:30 to 16:00.
Stalls will be set up the day before, on Thursday 11 March between 15:00-18:00.
Who is it for?
The event is attended by invited groups of Year 5 and 6 pupils from local state primary schools in Bristol.
Who can apply?
We welcome applications from all departments and faculties. The Schools Research Fair is a full and busy day and we recommend that you have a team of at least three people to enable you to deliver your activities and manage energy levels over the course of the day.
What will be provided?
The standard set up for tabletop activities is a 1.8m table and some floor space. Other configurations are possible (to be discussed with the FUTURES team).
A small consumables budget of up to £50 is available to cover materials, printing, and transport to the venue where necessary.
The FUTURES team will provide training and support to help you develop your activities and ensure that you get the most out of participating in the event. Successful applicants will be invited to an online training session that will include key information about the event along with tips for effectively communicating your research and developing effective and engaging activities.
Following the training, all teams will have at least one meeting with the FUTURES Co-ordinator to discuss your ideas in detail and develop them further.
How to apply
Link to application form
Applications close at 17:00 on Monday 16 November. Applications will be reviewed by the FUTURES team and decisions will be communicated by Wednesday 25 November.
If your application is successful you will be invited to attend an online training session on Tuesday 1 December, 11:00-13:00. Please hold this time in your calendar for now.
If you have any questions about FUTURES, or if you would like to discuss your ideas before you apply, please email futures-project@bristol.ac.uk
