About Us

Pint of Science is a grassroots non-profit organisation that has grown astronomically over the few years since two people decided to share their research in the pub. Although our mission has expanded, our core values remain the same: to provide a space for researchers and members of the public alike to come together, be curious, and chat about research in a relaxed environment outside of mysterious laboratories or daunting dark lecture theatres. We believe that everyone has a place at the table to discuss the research going on both on our doorsteps and far beyond. Our missions and visions are based around the people that matter most: our audience, volunteers, speakers, and our wider research community. 

Our Missions

  • Develop a space where audiences are engaged with research; where walls are broken down and everyone has the opportunity to share their thoughts, questions and ideas.
  • Provide event organisers with the tools to allow them to use their own creativity and plan events showcasing the research that is going on in their area, whilst developing cross-disciplinary skills that will prove valuable in the workplace and beyond.
  • Equip speakers with training to refine and develop their public engagement skills and give them the confidence to share their story in an approachable manner with a new audience.
  • Push forward research and trust in science by encouraging open and transparent conversations between the research community and the wider public, and in turn develop a culture of good public engagement which is accessible to all.

Our Visions

  • To foster an environment for the audience in which everyone is comfortable to attend, engage and cultivate curiosity.
  • To instill confidence, nurture key skills and provide a platform for event organisers to carry out public engagement in the community.
  • To inspire speakers to view public engagement as a creative outlet, and a worthwhile part of their work.
  • To encourage a world where anyone can have an opinion on science, developing new research ideas through a conversation where everyone can be involved.

 

History

In 2012 Dr Praveen Paul and Dr Michael Motskin were two research scientists at Imperial College London. They started and organised an event called ‘Meet the Researchers’. It brought people affected by Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis into their labs to show them the kind of research they do. It was inspirational for both visitors and researchers. They thought if people want to come into labs to meet scientists, why not bring the scientists out to the people? And so Pint of Science was born. In May 2013 they held the first Pint of Science festival in just three cities. It quickly took off around the world and now happens in nearly 500 cities. Pint of Science received a Points of Light award by the Prime Minister in recognition of voluntary work and making a change in the community.

We are non-profit and ticket costs were introduced to ensure that we could become sustainable rather than a one-off. As well as our dedicated volunteers, Pint of Science relies on ticket money, donations, sponsors, and the universities and institutions involved to keep going. We've never received large grants or pots of money, we don't even have an office. We're built on the dedication, enthusiasm and commitment of all involved in organising and attending, as well as the occasional pint!

Locations and topics

A full list of Pint of Science cities and countries can be found on our locations page. Our events broadly fall into the following topics:

  • Beautiful Mind - neuroscience, psychology and psychiatry
  • Atoms to Galaxies - physics, chemistry, maths, astronomy
  • Our Body - medicine, human biology, health
  • Planet Earth - geosciences, plant sciences, zoology
  • Tech Me Out - technology, robotics, computers, engineering
  • Our Society - law, history, politics, policy, languages
  • Creative Reactions - art and science come together

...and keep an eye out for some 'special' events.

 

 

Appearance on the BBC's The One Show April 2018