Tentative Taxonomy of Science Festivals
Professor Frank BurnetUniversity of the West of England
Bristol, UK
Primordial Forms
University Open Days
Arts Festivals
University Open Day Model
Key messagesCelebration--|-------Examination
Audience targeted
Children/Families..|......Adults
Nature of venues Public.......|..Scientific
Topics featured Old Science....|....New Science
Responsibility for programming Scientists..|..........Non-scientists
Communication modeOne way..|........Two way
Arts Festival Model
Key messagesCelebration........|...Examination
Audience targeted Children/Families........|..Adults
Nature of venues Public--|-------Academic
Topics featuredOld Science...|....New Science
Responsibility for programming
Experts .......|..Non-Experts
Communication modeOne way......|....Two way
Self Descriptions 2010
The Science Festival aims to provide inspiration, stimulate discussion and demonstrate science’s incredible possibilities Gothenburg
Seeks to combine science and culture WSF
Giving you the chance to explore, discover and enjoy Manchester,UK
Encourage the investigation and enjoyment of science and technology Wrexham
encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to discover the wonder of the world around them Edinburgh
The Cambridge Science Festival [UK] is committed to engaging the public with science, technology,
engineering, mathematics, medicine and more
to be the ultimate multi-cultural, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary celebration of science in the United States USAFST
..a public showcase of science because scientists realized the importance of explaining to everybody what is
happening in laboratories and how research changes the quality of life Russian Science Festival
A multifaceted, multicultural event every spring, the Cambridge Science Festival [Mass]
makes science accessible, interactive and fun!
something for everyone. Whether you have a PhD in astrophysics or haven’t done
science since school; if you’re a chocoholic, an electric car enthusiast, an avid reader;
whether you have a burning issue to discuss, simply want to know more about
the world around you or are looking for an entertaining evening out Cheltenham
www.frankburnet.comwww.scu.uwe.ac.uk