Glasgow Science Festival (GSF) is a science festival held every June in Glasgow, Scotland.[1][2][3] It was founded in 2007 and provides science-themed events for children, schools and adults at various venues in the city, including lecture theatres, laboratories, cafes, pubs, theatres and cinemas.[4]
The majority of events are free of charge to promote accessibility and events are developed primarily with practicing scientists in order to showcase real research.[5]
Events include science comedy nights,[6][7] pub quizzes, whisky tastings, art classes, workshops and tutorials on the science of 'zombie-ism'.[8][9][10][11] Science Sunday is a day of family activities at the University of Glasgow which coincides with the West End Festival.[12][13]
The festival is primarily funded by the University of Glasgow and the Scottish Government. It also involves partnerships with a variety of organisations including the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Caledonian University, the MRC, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, the RPSB, Glasgow School of Art, the British Science Association, Glasgow Botanic Gardens and Glasgow Science Centre[14]
The festival director is Dr Deborah McNeill, a marine biologist and Head of Public Engagement in STEM at the University of Glasgow.[1][15]
In 2013 the festival was launched on a barge on the Forth and Clyde Canal, chartered by The Clipperton Project and attended by Scottish Minister Alasdair Allan.[16][17]
In 2017 the festival was awarded a Herald Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community for gravitational waves-inspired show 'Chasing the Waves'.[18] 'Chasing the Waves' was also a finalist in the Times Higher Education Awards [19]