Guildford to host the BA Festival of Science

Tuesday 1 July 2008

The Festival is one of Europe’s largest science festivals and regularly attracts over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and speakers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public. Over 50,000 visitors regularly attend the talks, discussions and workshops.

The Festival takes place at a different location each year and was last held in Guildford in 1975. In 2009 it will be hosted by the University of Surrey from 05-11 September, and organisations, institutions and businesses – local or otherwise – are invited to submit proposals to be part of this huge public event.

Announcing the decision of the BA’s Council, Roland Jackson, Chief Executive of the BA, said: "Guildford and the wider south-east region have a strong reputation for science and science-based industry and we’re excited to be bringing the BA Festival of Science back to the area after 34 years. We look forward to working with the University of Surrey and other local organisations to make this a thoroughly enjoyable and successful event for the region."

Christopher Snowden, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Surrey, said: "I am delighted that the BA Festival 2009 will be coming to Surrey. Although the University will provide a hub for much of the activity during the Festival week, we are working in partnership with many local and regional organisations to ensure that this celebration of science and technology has an impact right across the county."’

Ed Metcalfe, Chief Scientific Advisor at the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), said: "The south east of England, with the highest proportion of the UKs international science and technology based-businesses, supported by a world class knowledge base, is a globally competitive region. We welcome the opportunities that the BA Festival of Science will provide to showcase these strengths to the science community and a wider public. Of key importance will be the opportunities to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers."

Richard Shaw, Chief Executive of Surrey County Council, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate what an innovative and enterprise place Surrey is. Science and technology are at the heart of the county's dynamic economy, and this festival will celebrate all that is best about 21st century Surrey."

David Hill, Chief Executive of Guildford Borough Council, said: "Guildford is host to a number of hi-tech companies, including those on the Surrey University Research Park which many people will know is home to mission control for Surrey Satellite Technology. Guildford is an ideal town and university to host the BA Festival of Science in 2009. We look forward to playing our part in ensuring that the 2009 Festival is a huge success. The Festival first took place in 1831 and Guildford’s long association with scientific developments, including Dennis’s very early car factory in the town centre make the town a doubly appropriate host for the UK’s biggest and most prestigious Science Festival."

As well as involving leading scientists, the Festival attracts star speakers. Those taking part in the 2008 BA Festival of Science in Liverpool from 6-11 September include Sir Ranulph Fiennes – described by the Guinness Book of Records as ‘the world’s greatest living explorer’, popular TV presenter and author Professor Adam Hart-Davis, and the UK’s premier fertility expert and TV personality, Professor Robert Winston.

The general theme of the 2009 Festival will be creativity, innovation and evolution. For more information about the BA Festival of Science, including the event submission process and for a guide to what’s happening this year, visit www.the-ba.net/festivalofscience.

The 2009 BA Festival of Science is organised in partnership with the University of Surrey and is supported by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

Media Enquiries

Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 689191, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk