The Faculty of Science and Technology’s Celebration of Science 2025: Discovery for a Changing World has taken place. This is the 20^th year that an event has been run, showcasing research across the Faculty. The event included two impressive keynote speakers. The first, on day one, was Dr Sophie Carr founder of Bay's Consulting, and Vice President of the Royal Statistical Society for Education and Statistical Literacy, speaking about “Statistics, AI and Society - how trust and fairness should lead the way”. Day two speaker Patrick Allcorn is Head of Local Net Zero Demonstration and Delivery at the Department of Energy, Security and Net Zero. He spoke around the theme of Powering the Future. Both gave an engaging and energising start to their respective days.

Over 70 PhD and Masters by Research students were involved in the event, showing posters or offering Speed Talks. The posters were displayed for the full length of the event, culminating in a competition where attendees could vote for their top three. At the Speed Talks, 13 students each had three minutes and one slide to speak about their research. A secret panel voted for the best speakers to win a prize. Additionally, a special session was included for postgraduate students this year. Four alumni joined the PhD Careers and Alumni session in order to share wisdom about their career paths since graduating. This was an engaging session with plenty of food for thought for current students.

All Faculty departments got involved in the event with the expert panels in AI and Society and Powering the Future, which were popular sessions. In addition, many departments and research centres took the opportunity to offer an interactive activity to show attendees the impressive research happening across the Faculty. From a hive of live bees to Engineering tours, investigating the chemistry behind batteries to dark matter detectors, there was plenty to see and experience. All students participating in the event received a BBC micro:bit GO and there was a demonstration of how to use it as one of the interactive sessions.

The Faculty’s technicians also had an exhibit showing photographs of technicians through the ages which spanned the University’s history and showed what a vital job the Faculty technicians have always done and continue to do. Groups such as MARS: Mathematics for AI in Real-world Systems were invited to have a table showcasing their work. As a new and exciting element of the School of Mathematical Sciences it was a great opportunity for attendees to find out more.

Professor Pete Atkinson, the Faculty of Science and Technology’s Executive Dean said: “The Celebration of Science is an important annual event to showcase the wide range of research and related activity across our Faculty community. We were delighted to have two engaging keynote speakers, over 70 PhD students involved in posters and speed talk competitions, and a large number of expert staff in superb Panels and interactive sessions. Thank you to everyone involved in the event.”

Dr Sophie Carr commented: "I had a fantastic time at the Celebration of Science 2025 at Lancaster University Faculty of Science and Technology - it's a truly welcoming event, with a real buzz in the room and around the poster sessions from engaged attendees. The breadth of science being showcased was truly impressive, and what really stood out to me was how people were talking across disciplines. An amazing opportunity for people to share ideas and make connections. Thanks so much for inviting me."

Patrick Allcorn said: “It’s amazing to see what’s going on with the energy centre and the site at Lancaster University. It’s also great to be involved in this event and meet people who are interested. The posters amaze me at their range and breadth and there are things I’d never even thought of. All in all, it has been an education.”