Public Engagement

FUTURES

FUTURES was a free festival of discovery which took place in the South West across venues in Bath, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Exeter and Plymouth throughout September and October. The festival was a unique opportunity to find out more about the innovative and world-class research taking place at universities across the South West.

A graphic for the 2025 FUTURES Festival

Pop Up Shops

Our FUTURES Pop Up Curiosity Shop invited visitors to let their imaginations run wild and embrace extraordinary new ideas! In 2025, this free event was hosted in Exeter Phoenix, receiving more than 600 visitors in a single day.

Walking Tours and Workshops

Workshops and walking tours invited members of the community to get involved with research for themselves, making their own discoveries at a range of creative workshops, and seeing the research out in Exeter's streets.

A graphic tile for the Researchers in Churches events

Researchers in Churches

A new way for researchers to connect with their local communities! Following the success of the FUTURES 2024 gardening and climate change panel, the 2025 festival brought the history of hip hop to KCM Parish Church in Falmouth.

A graphic tile for the Researchers in Schools events

Researchers in Schools

Bringing the expertise of University professionals into schools throughout 2024 and 2025, these events looked to inspire new generations, encouraging them to get involved with academia and the scientific research taking place in our city.

2024 Events Showcase