Upcoming Events

2019 is the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements, marking 150 years since Dmitri Mendeleev devised a system to arrange the elements.

Join Annie Hodgson of the University of York as she introduces an exhibition celebrating the history and future of this icon of chemistry.

Taking place in the magnificent setting of York Minster, our inspiring launch event shines a light on our festival theme, A World of Wonder, simultaneously exploring our wonderful world and the incredible wonder of humanity.

Inaugural Innovation Lecture

What are the lessons that psychology can teach us about fixing work? Elon Musk says we can’t achieve anything on less than 80 hours work a week, but what does the evidence suggest? Bruce Daisley, European Vice- President for Twitter – who’s spent a career at the helm of companies including Google, YouTube and Twitter – takes a closer look. Afterwards, help us decide the winner of the University of York’s Business Challenge.

What can history tell us about ideas of masculinity? From 18th-century personal grooming to the rise of military memoirs, and from the history of the three-piece suit to soldiers on the Berlin Wall and gangsters in Glasgow, hear the ideas of five New Generation Thinkers.

The five historians are part of the BBC Radio 3/AHRC New Generation Thinkers scheme which works with academics at the start of their career to share their research with a wider audience. Come along and join in the discussion at an event which is being recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s The Essay.

Have you ever wondered what happens to mass murderers after they die? In what ways can their bodies be considered ‘toxic’?

Sociologists Daniel Robins and Rosie Smith explore the high-profile deaths of serial killer Ian Brady and Manchester bomber Salman Abedi. Discover how the criminals’ remains were managed and learn about their placement in the ‘monster morgue’.

You might have learnt a spoken language like French, Spanish or even Chinese. But what are sign languages like to learn?

Join Richard Ogden of the University of York as he explores the features of British Sign Language (BSL), including how hands, face and body are used to express complex ideas. Discover the challenges of translating written English into BSL.

FOCUS DAY – A Fair Economy. A Better World

Meet some of the trailblazing women developing new approaches to the economy and monetary policy. Speakers include Heather Melville OBE, Director and Head of Client Experience at PwC; Jo Swaffield, Head of the University of York’s Department of Economics; and Fran Boait, Executive Director of Positive Money.

FESTIVAL FOCUS: What Have Universities Ever Done For Us?

Our speakers, including Hamish McAlpine of Research England and Deborah Smith of the University of York, discuss the benefits universities deliver.

What is love? Does love at first sight exist? Why do people cheat? Author Laura Mucha interviewed hundreds of strangers between the ages of eight to 95, in over 40 countries on every continent of the world, asking them to share their most personal stories, feelings and insights about romantic love. Join her as she draws on psychology, philosophy, anthropology and mathematics to explore the science of who, how and why we love.

FESTIVAL FOCUS: What Have Universities Ever Done For Us?

Join Alain Beretz of the University of Strasbourg for a continental view of higher education.