NI Science Festival

11/06/2026

🪉New event!
The Neuroscience of the Harpers Brain
Monday 3 August at the Black Box as part of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

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 Belfast City Council as part of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

Book tickets here: https://nisciencefestival.com/event/the-neuroscience-of-the-harpers-brain

03/06/2026

🔬 Celebrating Volunteers' Week 2026

This week we're recognising the volunteers who help make the NI Science Festival possible.

Whether supporting events, assisting with audience surveys, welcoming audiences or lending a hand behind the scenes, our volunteers are a vital part of the festival team.

A sincere thank you to everyone who has volunteered with us over the years. You've all been class.

Look out on our socials later in the year to find out how YOU can get involved in our 2027 edition!

Watch this space 🌌

03/06/2026

Everyone at NI Science Festival would like to wish the very best of luck to Dr Ryan McFadden of as he represents Northern Ireland at the FameLab UK Finals this Friday at Science Festival.

Ryan earned his place at the national final after winning this year’s Northern Ireland heat with his engaging talk, “How Engineers Are Helping in Healthcare.” Ahead of the competition, we caught up with him to learn more about the research behind his work and what it means to communicate science to a wider audience.

If Ryan’s journey has inspired you, why not consider taking to the FameLab stage yourself? Keep an eye on our social channels over the coming months for details on how to enter FameLab Northern Ireland 2027 and begin your own science communication journey.

Good luck, Ryan, we’ll be cheering you on from Northern Ireland!

FameLab Northern Ireland 2026 was supported by The Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel, Almac Group, Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast.

🎥

19/05/2026

Minority Report
Wed 3 June Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast
Screening of Minority Report followed by panel discussion

Panellists include Professor Brian Arthur and Dr Ciaran Martin
Dr Martin is one of the UK’s leading authorities on cybersecurity and national resilience, having served as the founding Chief Executive of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre. He is currently Professor of Practice at the Blavatnik School of Government and was awarded an honorary degree by Queen's University Belfast in recognition of his contribution to public service and cybersecurity.
For tickets and info head to:
https://queensfilmtheatre.com/whats-on/minority-report

19/05/2026

Pint of Science
Wed 20 May at Black Box

Data is everywhere — from your phone and fitness tracker to the services you use every day. But what does it actually tell you and what does it miss? Join data scientists who will bring data to life through real stories, showing how researchers use data to understand the world and why numbers alone aren’t enough.

Tickets and info available here:

Data is everywhere — from your phone and fitness tracker to the services you use every day. But what does it actually tell you and what does it miss? Join …

08/05/2026

None of us at NISF would be doing what we do, without growing up inspired by the wonder, beauty and brilliance of Sir David Attenborough’s documentaries. For generations, he’s brought the natural world into our homes and sparked countless lifelong passions for science, nature and discovery.

Happy 100th birthday to a true legend and thank you for inspiring us all. 🎉🌍🎂

08/05/2026

None of us at NISF would be doing what we do, without growing up inspired by the wonder, beauty and brilliance of Sir David Attenborough’s documentaries. For generations, he’s brought the natural world into our homes and sparked countless lifelong passions for science, nature and discovery.

Happy 100th birthday to a true legend and thank you for inspiring us all. 🎉🌍🎂

He has been besieged by birds, had 120m crabs try to crawl up his trouser leg and stayed cool beside an erupting Icelandic volcano. As David Attenborough turns 100, we celebrate his most extraordinary adventures

22/04/2026

Stitch together Derry’s past 🧵

Join us for Behind the Seams Experience at NI Science Festival — a guided walk through the city’s shirt-making heritage, celebrating the women who powered its mills and shaped its story.

Warm up after with soup at Walled City Brewery, then dive into stories, stitching, and community with Shirt Tales NI.

📍 Derry~Londonderry
🕚 Saturday 25 April, 11am
Book now - https://nisciencefestival.com/event/behind-the-seams-walking-tour/

22/04/2026

22/04/2026

*Tickets selling fast - only a couple left*
Stitch together Derry’s past 🧵
Join us for Behind the Seams Experience at NI Science Festival — a guided walk through the city’s shirt-making heritage, celebrating the women who powered its mills and shaped its story.
Warm up after with soup at Walled City Brewery, then dive into stories, stitching, and community with Shirt Tales NI.
📍 Derry~Londonderry
🕚 Saturday 25 April, 11am
Book now - https://nisciencefestival.com/event/behind-the-seams-walking-tour/

Stitch together Derry’s past 🧵

Join us for Behind the Seams Experience at NI Science Festival — a guided walk through the city’s shirt-making heritage, celebrating the women who powered its mills and shaped its story.

Warm up after with soup at Walled City Brewery, then dive into stories, stitching, and community with Shirt Tales NI.

📍 Derry~Londonderry
🕚 Saturday 25 April, 11am
Book now - https://nisciencefestival.com/event/behind-the-seams-walking-tour/

fans Derry City & Strabane District Council What's on Derry Strabane Walled City Brewery