UCL Professor Mark Lythgoe appointed chair of the Times Cheltenham Science Festival

The Festival, which starts this year on 7 June, is a six-day celebration of science, engineering and the arts, delivering a mix of cutting-edge research, serious debate, live experiments, surprising discoveries and entertaining events.

Professor Lythgoe has a long-standing association with the Festival, having been involved since its inception and serving as the Festival’s Director for eight years. This year he will also host the events Brain Control Live, demonstrating how living cells can be activated using only the power of magnets and The Hidden Universe, using MRI scanners and telescopes, to show a fantastic journey from the start of life to the death of stars.

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Lythgoe said: “I’m incredibly excited about this new role. Cheltenham Science Festival is one of the best in the world and I am looking forward to creating a unique festival by undertaking extraordinary events that will change the way we look at ourselves and the world around us.”

A number of UCL scientists are taking part in this year’s Festival, with events covering a wide range of topics, including; how big data can help solve crime, understanding dark matter and the science of chips.

This year’s UCL speakers include:

• Dr Helen Czerski (UCL Mechanical Engineering)
• Dr Hannah Fry (UCL Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis)
• Dr Anjali Goswami (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment)
• Professor Lucie Green (UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory)
• Dr Simon Jolly (UCL Physics & Astronomy)
• Professor Diana Kuh (MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing)
• Professor Mark Lythgoe (UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging)
• Professor Arthur Miller (UCL Science & Technology Studies)
• Professor Mark Miodownik (UCL Mechanical Engineering)
• Dr Andrew Pontzen (UCL Physics & Astronomy)
• Professor Waseem Qasim (UCL Institute of Child Health)
• Professor Andrea Sella (UCL Chemistry)