Nobel laureate Sir John Gurdon is among the big names set to appear at this year’s Cambridge Science Festival, which will take place at sites across the University from the 11th to the 24th of March.

The 13-day festival gathers professors, researchers, clinicians and innovators from across the country to share their passion of science, medicine, engineering, math and technology at more than 200 events geared to people of all ages. 

Booking for the festival events, most of which are free for the public, kicked off on Monday 4th of February with some events already fully booked. 

Festival guest director, Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch, has helped shape some of these events and has already identified some favourites that reflect his interests and career, as well as his friendships with Cambridge scientists.

The festival’s opening night event includes a pre-concert talk by Professor Jim Woodhouse, Department of Engineering, discussing how computer modelling can shed light on ‘playability’ of bowed-string instruments, followed by Magdalena Filipczak performing virtuoso works for violin including Beethoven’s Romance with the Cambridge Graduate Orchestra.

Big names are sprinkled throughout the fortnight: Nobel prize winner Sir John Gurdon, discussing cell replacement in age and disease; Professor Alister McGrath, author of The Dawkins Delusion?, exploring the complex relationship between Christianity and the sciences; Immortalist Aubrey de Grey, philosopher Stephen Cave and biochemist Guy Brown, talking about the science and science fiction of immortality; and, in a panel discussion, Professor Gerard Evan, one of the world's foremost experts in oncogenes, and Sir Gregory Winter, pioneer of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and Master of Trinity College will ponder over questions such as: Why does developing drugs cost so much and why does it take so long?

The Festival will also feature author and BBC Radio 2 Drivetime host Simon Mayo, who will be giving a talk about his children’s books Itch and Itch Rocks, and a show and tell by comedian Robin Ince in an event that promises “punchy presentations from some of the best science presenters from Cambridge and beyond – as they show off their favourite things from the world of science.” In another highlight, stand-up mathematician, Matt Parker will be combining his two passions to bring the world of numbers alive.

There will be a number of hands-on experiences available, including a journey through a gallery of optical illusions, a chance to build a model robot, an opportunity to view your own DNA or to create your own therapeutic antibody. The new public hands-on science centre in Jesus Lane, which is packed with interactive exhibits, workshops and demos, will be running throughout the Cambridge Science Festival.

Commenting on the festival, Cumberbatch said: “while there is much to marvel at, scientific discovery is a step-by-step, day-by-day process that involves incredible hard work and devotion. Those aspects can be related to so many of our lives and other non-scientific pursuits. We hope the programme entertains and inspires you to take a deeper look at our extraordinary world and our existence in it and the universe.” 

Excitement surrounding the upcoming festival has not been limited to festival organisers. Stephanie Taic, a Law undergraduate at Lucy Cavendish said, “After being buried under piles of books, it's great to explore new subjects and learn about other aspects in life! The topics seem to cut across different fields, not only confined to science, just check out the program.”

The Cambridge Science Festival runs from Mon 11 March to Sun 24 March at various locations around the city. For more details, including the latest event updates please visit the website: www.cam.ac.uk/sciencefestival or call: 01223 766766.