Community

Doors Open Day

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Each September researchers, students and support staff at Kings Buildings contribute to the local “Doors open Day” event by opening our buildings to the public and presenting an array of hands-on activities and demonstrations. This includes the Ashworth labs, which are home to our Natural History Collection, a fascinating historical collection of zoological specimens.

Natural History Collection

Kings Building's Virtual Tour

Festivals

The School delivers hands-on activities and workshops at a number of science and cultural festivals around Scotland. This includes annual activities at Edinburgh Science Festival as part of the University’s family programme at the National Museum of Scotland, an event which highlights the University’s long partnership with NMS.

Community Groups

We have built ongoing relationships with a variety of local community groups, including youth and inter-generational groups in low-SIMD areas of Edinburgh, and regularly deliver bespoke activities.

During the pandemic, this included online workshops, with free kits delivered. For many years we have also contributed to the annual Discover Programme run by City of Edinburgh Council, which provides children and families in low-SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) areas with meals and engaging activities throughout the year during  school holidays.

Public Lectures

The School regularly contributes to the Science on a Summer’s Evening programme, and other public lecture programmes.

Science on a Summer's Evening

Mind the Lab

Mind the Lab aims to stimulate people’s interest in science during a very short time interval through pop-up science activities at train and metro stations. The School leads the University’s involvement in this international project. 

Mind the lab

Cell Biology Engagement

The Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology (WCCB) is committed to engaging the public with research and is involved in a variety of public engagement activities including exhibitions and events.  

WCCB public engagement

Plant Sciences Engagement

Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences has an enthusiastic team of researchers and PhD students who deliver a range of activities related to their research.

Plant sciences outreach

Stem Cells Engagement

The Centre for Regenerative Medicine takes part in a wide variety of public engagement activities with key audiences including teachers, patients, policymakers, journalists and other interested publics.   

Centre for Regenerative Medicine public engagement