NI Science Festival

18/08/2026

The Belfast International Arts Festival launched last week and we're delighted to partner on two events within this year's programme. Join us 22-25 October in the Media Lab, Queen's University Belfast for Becoming by Helena Hamilton.

Becoming is a collaborative, interactive immersive artwork exploring matrescence, the profound transformation of becoming a mother, through spatial sound, moving image, haptic sculpture and the spoken experiences of mothers.

Book now...

fans Arts Council of Northern Ireland Visit Belfast

Becoming is a collaborative, interactive immersive artwork exploring matrescence, the profound transformation of becoming a mother, through spatial sound, moving image, haptic sculpture and the spoken…

11/08/2026

We can't wait for the partial solar eclipse this Wednesday - where will you be watching from?
You can join Queen's University Belfast Astrophysics Research Centre for a viewing event on the front lawn of the campus’s Lanyon Building, with free specialist eclipse glasses for attendees to view it safely. Link to register for free below ⬇

11/08/2026

Who else is excited for the eclipse tomorrow? Do you remember the last one in 1999?!

Skywatchers are set to witness two major celestial events next week, with a deep partial solar eclipse followed by the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.

06/08/2026

We're delighted that our We're delighted that our National Lottery funded project Maps and Memories has been featured on BBC Newsline as part of the Fleadh Fringe programme. Maps and Memories is a 2 year community heritage project that marks 200 years since the first mapping survey began on Divis Mountain by the Ordnance Survey.

This project has been made possible through a fantastic partnership with Ordnance Survey NI, Queen's University Belfast, Historic Environment Division, and National Trust NI. A special thank you to Lagan Valley Regional Park for hosting us and helping to make the event such a success.

Maps & Memories is made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund Northern Ireland, thanks to National Lottery players.

Love Heritage NI

05/08/2026

Get that "Fleadh Feeling" at Minnowburn this Thursday 🎶

Enjoy tunes from Gerry McCabe with Piccolo Mondo at the Minnowburn slinging the flat whites and the crew will be on hand with new and old maps for exploring the site.

No booking required, just turn up and take it in.

03/08/2026

Acclaimed Belfast harpist Ursula Burns is helping to strengthen insight into stroke recovery thanks to Ulster University researchers 🧠

A live showcase at Fleadh Cheoil na héireann this evening will highlight a study by the university, which exaimes how the brain adapts, reorganises and recovers.

The showcase will analyse the uniquely adapted brains of professional harpists like Ursula.

Their work is providing new insights into neuroplasticity – the brain's ability to form, strengthen and reorganise neural connections throughout life – with important implications for future rehabilitation following stroke and brain injury.

The event, featuring neuroscientist Dr Niamh Kennedy, will combine live music, storytelling and neuroscience.

It will illustrate how decades of expert musical performance reshapes the brain and explain why those discoveries have significance far beyond music.

Dr Kennedy said: "What excites us most is that this research reaches far beyond music. By understanding how expert musicians' brains adapt and reorganise themselves, we can apply those insights to one of the biggest challenges in neuroscience – helping the brain recover after stroke and injury.

"Every new discovery strengthens our understanding of neuroplasticity and has the potential to inform future rehabilitation approaches that improve people's lives."

30/07/2026

We are only a few days from welcoming to our city 👏
And beyond the main stage at City Hall, the massive fringe festival is bringing over 90 events right into our local neighbourhoods!

We are bringing some lovely fringe events including from Belfast's very own acclaimed harpist & composer Ursula Burns - Ursula and neuroscientist Dr Niamh Kennedy will present "The Neuroscience of the Harper's Brain."
Ursula will perform live while her brain activity is monitored to reveal exactly how traditional music rewires the mind, sparks improvisation, and drives creativity.
📅 Monday, 3rd August 2026
📍 The Black Box, Belfast
⏰ 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Grab your tickets here - https://nisciencefestival.com/tour-event/the-neuroscience-of-the-harpers-brain/

27/07/2026

One week to go and tickets are going quick! Get yours now...

𝗙𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗕𝗼𝘅 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 (Ursula Burns & NI Science Festival)

𝗠𝗢𝗡 𝟯𝗿𝗱 - 𝟮𝗽𝗺 & 𝟳𝗽𝗺

A unique experience that brings together Ireland’s rich musical heritage and cutting-edge science. At its heart is the harp, a symbol of Irish identity for over 1,000 years brought vividly to life by acclaimed Belfast harpist Ursula Burns.

Blending tradition with bold experimentation, Ursula delivers a captivating live performance using neuroscience techniques to explore and measure Ursula’s brain during her playing. Alongside the music, Dr Niamh Kennedy of Ulster University reveals the hidden science behind it all, showing how playing the harp shapes the brain’s wiring, movement, and creativity. Drawing on her research imaging the brains of harpists, she uncovers the extraordinary neurological processes behind musical skill and improvisation.

Combining live performance, storytelling, and science, this event offers audiences not just exceptional music and some Belfast craic, but a deeper understanding of why Irish music continues to resonate so powerfully across generations!

Times:
Doors open at 2pm – Start at 2.30pm (over 14s welcome)

Doors open at 7pm – Start at 7.30pm (Evening, over 18s only)

50min show followed by 15min Q&A

Funded by as part of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

24/07/2026

🎬🔬 CALLING EMERGING FILM PROGRAMMERS!

Are you aged 18–28 and passionate about film, science, culture and big ideas?

The NI Science Festival is looking for two Young Programmers to help curate a programme of 8–10 enhanced film events across Northern Ireland for the 2027 festival, taking place 10–21 February 2027.

Working with the festival team, you’ll help select films, develop themes, connect screenings with contemporary scientific and societal issues, and explore exciting ways to bring film into community venues, regional spaces and beyond traditional cinemas.

Find out more here - https://nisciencefestival.com/opportunity-nisf-young-film-programmer/

📩 To apply: Submit a proposal of no more than two pages outlining your programming ideas, potential audiences and venues, and ideas for enhanced activity alongside screenings.

⏰ Deadline: 12 noon, Monday 27 July 2026

📧 Send applications and enquiries to [email protected]

Find out more and start imagining what film, science and your community could look like together! 🎥🧪

fans Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast LUMI at QFT Belfast Film Festival Film Hub N.I.

20/07/2026

📣 We’re looking for a PR partner - DEADLINE THIS THURSDAY

NI Science Festival is inviting tenders for PR services for the 2027 Festival, with the contract running from September 2026 to March 2028 and the potential for further annual extensions.

We’re looking for an experienced PR agency or professional with a strong track record in festivals, events and/or STEM to help us generate exciting media coverage across Northern Ireland, the UK, Ireland and beyond.

📅 Deadline: 12 noon, Thursday 23 July 2026

Full tender details are available from the Northern Ireland Science Festival website.

Please share with anyone who might be interested.

fans

Invitation to Tender for Provision of PR Services 2026 – 2028 (with annual extension option) Return to: [email protected] and [email protected] Return deadline: 12 noon on Thursday 23 July 2026. Information for Applicants Overview NISF is one of the UK and Ireland’s leading sc...