We’re excited to be taking part in Norwich Science Festival 2026. The annual event celebrates science and technology and showcases the ground-breaking research and innovation happening in the fine city of Norwich. Here’s where you can find us:

Microbe zoo – Saturday 14 February to Saturday 21 February

Once inside the microbe ‘zoo’, you’ll be transported into a world usually invisible to the naked eye – one inhabited by bacteria, fungi, viruses and algae! A team of ‘zookeepers’ from Norwich Research Park will guide you through the different habitats, as you discover what these tiny creatures do, and how they keep plants, people, and the planet healthy.

Presented by the Centre for Microbial Interactions, whose Project Manager Dr Sam Rowe is based at the Quadram Institute, and The SAW Trust, you’ll get to enjoy interactive games, hands-on activities, soundscapes and videos as you explore a previously unseen microbial world.

Reimagining women’s health – Saturday 14 February (sold out)

Join members of the University of East Anglia’s Women’s Health Network and leading experts from across Norfolk for an engaging and inspiring look at the future of women’s healthcare.

The panel event features Quadram Institute’s Dr Emily Jones talking about her research on common but under‑researched vaginal yeast infections, which affect most women at least once and are becoming harder to treat because of drug resistance.

Hidden hunger – Monday 16 February

In Norfolk, many people are experiencing ‘hidden hunger’- a phenomenon in which a person consumes enough calories, but lacks some of the essential vitamins and minerals (such as iron, zinc and vitamin D) to maintain good health.

NHS consultant paediatrician Dr Emma Webb and the Quadram Institute’s Prof Martin Warren are joined by PhD researcher Brenda Mionki, as they explore the scientific efforts to tackle this issue.

• Book a free ticket for the Hidden Hunger event 

Evolve, Survive, Thrive! – Monday 16 February

Join the Langridge group in the Explorium for this fun family-friendly activity. Children will pick one of six environments, then design a bacterium using playdough and add up to three predetermined evolutions using props to help their bacterium survive or thrive in their chosen environment.

Each environment has an optimum set of evolutions and the models will be scored based on the appropriateness of the evolutions (simple scoring cheat sheets provided). Children will get a take home sheet to record their score, draw their model (or design another) and do some colouring. They then submit their model for display.

Germ Jenga, Pipetting and Promoting Research – Wednesday 18 February

Join the Clinical Research Facility team in the Explorium to learn how we can work together to prevent the spread of diseases (germs) and try your hand at processing blood samples in the lab. Research staff and Champions will be on hand to showcase the incredible research taking place at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and the NIHR Norfolk CRF, as well as explain how you can get involved in research yourself!

Out thinkers – Saturday 21 February

Whether you are a part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, celebrate the vibrant and diverse STEM community in Norfolk! Join Out Thinkers for a series of inspiring talks and a chance to network with LGBTQ+ scientists.

Hosted by Dr Sam Rowe, Project Manager based at the Quadram Institute and Dr Alfredo Carpineti, Out Thinkers serves to showcase the incredible talent of LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM, providing a welcoming platform where people can talk about their work while truly being themselves.

Speakers include Josh Horton (Quadram Institute), Dr Ellie Leech (British Trust for Ornithology) and Kit Marie Rackley (University of East Anglia).

• Book a free ticket for the Out Thinkers event