Curious Minds Research Festival 2026
Thursday 18 June 2026 11:00 - Friday 19 June 2026 11:45
Location: Sir Ian Wood Building, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Campus
Join us at the Curious Minds Research Festival 2026, showcasing the breadth of disciplines, research themes and outputs across ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ schools and departments.
We are delighted to welcome our partners and collaborators to this year’s Curious Minds research Festival, to celebrate together with the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ community the fascinating and impactful research conducted by colleagues and students at our university.
Following the success of last year’s event, this year's showcase will feature another fascinating display of research at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. Expect Exploratorium exhibitions, engaging talks, the 3-Minute Thesis competition and more!
Over two days, the Sir Ian Wood Building will be turned into a research Exploratorium, showcasing research outputs, interactive activities, facility tours and information stalls.
Our Cabinet of Curious Ideas and Impact Showcase will celebrate a diverse range of research projects and ideas.
We will also support our fantastic PhD students at the 3MT competition and celebrate exemplary achievements at the Curious Minds Research Awards ceremony.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½s research community and connect with potential collaborators.
Registration is only required for external guests, to help with logistics. Visitors please complete our online form.
Cost to attend: Free
Thursday 18 June 2026
Join us on our opening day of the festival, where you can spend the afternoon exploring a diverse range of talks, activities and networking opportunities to learn more about ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s contribution to research. All events will take place in the Sir Ian Wood Building on ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Campus in the Amphitheatre, Library or the Exploratorium.
11:00 - 11:15 - Welcome
Join us for our opening speech and festival welcome.
11:15 - Exploratorium open
Exploratorium opens! Come along and further immerse yourself in the activities and exhibitions with over twenty-five exhibitors.
11:20 - 12:20 - Facilities and Collections tours
Join us on our tour of the Engineering facilities or the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Arts and Heritage Collection.
12:30 - 13:45 - Cabinet of Curious Ideas, Part 1
Discover part one of our Cabinet of Curious Ideas, showcasing thoughtprovoking research in a variety of creative forms
14:00 - 15:30 - 3 Minute Thesis competition
Support our PGR students in the Three-minute Thesis Competition
15:30 - 16:30 - Networking event
Come together for the Networking event
Friday 19 June 2026
On Day 2, join us for our Impact Showcase, part two of our Cabinet of Curious Ideas, and celebrate our research achievements at our Awards ceremony!
If you have not visited already, you can also visit the Exploratorium.
09:00 - Exploratorium open
Another opportunitity to visit the Exploratorium
09:15 - 10:30 - Impact Showcase
Be inspired by research that has made a difference beyond the University at our Impact Showcase.
10:45 - Cabinet of Curious Ideas, Part 2
Our Cabinet of Curious Ideas returns for part two with a variety of thought-provoking performances.
11:45 - Exploratorium closes
12:00 - 13:00 - Awards Ceremony
Join us for the Awards Ceremony celebrating the achievements of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, followed by lunch.