Bookings open for city’s science spectacular
Chelmsford Science Festival will run from 21-28 October with a host of free events
A girl enjoying last year's Chelmsford Science Festival
Artificial intelligence, and the way it is shaping the world around us, is the theme for this year’s Chelmsford Science Festival – and bookings are now open for a host of events between 21 and 28 October.
The festival is organised by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in partnership with Chelmsford City Council, Chelmsford For You and Chelmsford Cathedral, and is sponsored by Teledyne e2V. It will be held in venues in Chelmsford and Writtle, with the majority of events free to attend.
Two acclaimed BBC broadcasters, Ros Atkins and Greg Foot, will deliver talks at this year’s festival. BBC News’ Analysis Editor Atkins is known for his acclaimed “Ros Atkins on…” explainer series and his talk at Chelmsford Cathedral on Thursday, 23 October will be set beneath Luke Jerram’s spectacular “Mars: War and Peace” installation. The event will examine the role of open-source intelligence in verifying facts and the future of storytelling in a data-driven, AI world.
Science broadcaster Foot, famous for his popular Sliced Bread podcast and programme on the BBC, will be at ARU’s Chelmsford campus on Tuesday, 28 October. Accompanied by stunning footage from the Amazon rainforest canopy, Foot’s talk will showcase cutting-edge conservation research, including AI-powered bioacoustic surveys and drone-based aerobotany. The event promises a thrilling insight into real-world science.
Dr Chris Callaghan, from ARU’s AI Research Lab, will explore how artificial intelligence could reshape scientific discovery on Wednesday, 22 October. His talk introduces Experiential Matrix Theory, a new framework that places human flourishing at the heart of innovation, and challenges traditional models of knowledge creation.
On Thursday, 23 October, bestselling children’s author Andy Stanton will deliver a thought-provoking talk based on his first book for adults, Benny the Blue Whale. Stanton will describe his chaotic and illuminating experience writing alongside ChatGPT, raising questions about creativity, authorship and sanity in the age of AI.
The festival also includes talks on AI and construction, obesity treatment, AI and fairness, quantum computing, and music therapy, while families are invited to enjoy two full days of hands-on science at ARU Chelmsford on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October.
The free Family Science Days feature interactive exhibits, science shows, VR games, and coding. SEN sessions – a quieter hour from 9am-10am each day, as well as the SENStation open throughout the weekend – offers respite when needed for children with special educational needs.
The majority of events at the Chelmsford Science Festival, including the popular family days, are free to attend but booking is required. Full programme details and booking links are available via aru.ac.uk/events/chelmsford-science-festival