FUTURES2021

A festival of discovery exploring the past, creating the present and imagining the future
FUTURES2021

In September 2021, over 500 individuals and families locally and across the South West joined us to discover research across science, heritage, health and history, and meet the University of Plymouth researchers who work to make a difference to our daily lives.

FUTURES2021 brought research to life in new and exciting ways online and in-person, with a whole host of events ranging from storytelling to panel discussions, comedy, quizzes and broadcasts on community radio stations.

FUTURES is an annual public engagement festival dedicated to showcasing research and innovation, as part of the 2021 European Researchers’ Night celebrations. With more than 300 cities across 30 European countries taking part, this exciting annual event showcases the South West’s rich scientific and cultural heritage through fun, interactive learning with the Universities of Bath, Bath Spa, Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth.

The weekend included two events with online talks from University of Plymouth researchers that are now available to watch on YouTube. 

University of Plymouth FUTURES2021 events

There were both local in-person and online events with activities for all ages to enjoy.

The Big Regional Family Quiz 

Online; led by University of Plymouth

Saturday 25 September 2021, 19:00–20:00

The popular family-friendly quiz returned with questions posed by researchers from across the country. The Quiz was hosted by Dr Verity Campbell-Barr, Associate Professor in Early Childhood Studies, with interesting and amusing questions from researchers of the sciences, physiotherapy and even robotics!  

<p>FUTURES2021 Big Regional Quiz</p>

FUTURES ON AIR

Mining heritage, reintroduction of beavers, hip-hop, and the mysterious world of underwater sounds are just some of the topics covered in a series of programmes that were broadcast across the South West's community radio stations during the FUTURES weekend.

Among the lineup, Professor Daniel Maudlin talks medieval longhouses with Dartmoor National Park's Claire Partridge, while neuroscientist Professor Sue Denham joins hip-hop artist and poet Silai Estatira to reflect on the relationship between language, culture and music. 

Listen to the segments.

<p>FUTURES on air - radio shows</p>

See what else was on offer during FUTURES2021 events that were hosted by the Universities of Bath, Bath Spa, Bristol and Exeter.

FUTURES2021 full programme

Thoughts from FUTURES2020...

FUTURES2021 is funded by the European Commission under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions and delivered collaboratively by the University of Bath, Bath Spa University, the University of Bristol, the University of Exeter and the University of Plymouth.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101036029.

More FUTURES events