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Announcing the IAA Festival 2019 Programme – Enter the weird and wonderful world of UCL

21 August 2019

From playing Prime Minister to hunting for life on Mars, there are a wealth of hands-on activities, tours and interactive talks that will amaze at the It’s All Academic Festival on October 5.

It's All Academic Festival Announcement Graphic | October 5 10am to 5pm

This autumn UCL will be opening its doors to students, staff, alumni and the public for the third annual It’s All Academic Festival.

Whether you’re interested in history, future-proofing society or just looking for a free day out, there is something for everyone at this year’s Festival. We’ve got over 100 confirmed events from across 60 of UCL’s diverse faculties and departments. 

Find the full programme here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/campaign/festival/

Our 5 must-not-miss events

1.    Fingers on Buzzers

UCL’s University Challenge veterans from years gone by join forces to pit their wits against a team of the university’s sharpest academics. With starters for 10 ranging from general knowledge to UCL trivia, bring your mascots and your brainpower, and get ready for the battle of the buzzers! Hands down our top must-not-miss event. 

Book your free spot here. 

2.    It’s The End of The World As We Know It

Find the climate change conversation overwhelming? This one is for you. Join UCL’s Dr Matt Winning for his hilarious Edinburgh Fringe Festival performance – an entertaining storytelling lecture on how we cope with climate change. It’s easy-to-digest, laugh out loud funny and gives you the chance to learn a thing or two about our research into our climate. 

Book your free spot here. 

3.    A visit to the Fish Facility

For the first time ever, we are giving you the chance to visit UCL’s working Zebrafish facility that holds over 50,000 fish. Discover more about the facility and the vital role that these fish play in bettering our understanding of cancer, autism and more. This one is for the adults – over 18s only. 

Find out more in the Tours section of the Festival programme

4.    Soapbox Science

Want to dip your toes into some of the incredible research taking place at UCL? Come along to Soapbox Science where a few of UCL's best female scientists will talk about their work in an engaging, non-lecture-y way. It’s sure to get everyone you excited about science, from why we hate wasps to understanding rockets, soil, molecules and more!

Find out more in the Talks section of the Festival programme.

5.    Creating Our Future City

Become your very own town planner and tackle the challenges of creating a future-proof city at this hands-on and interactive station with The Bartlett’s Robert Newcombe. This family-friendly activity involves using clay, collage, drawing and other techniques to fabricate your very own three-dimensional spaces. Who knows, it might inspire a career change?  

Find out more in the Workshops section of the Festival programme. 


The It’s All Academic Festival is back for its third year and it’s bigger and better than ever before. Go behind the scenes at UCL, quiz leading academics and get hands-on with some of our most exciting work at our fun, free and interactive one day Festival for all ages and interests. The Festival celebrates the incredible work taking place at UCL as part of the It's All Academic Campaign - UCL's single largest philanthropic drive aiming to raise £600 million and 180,000 volunteer hours. Find out more about the campaign here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/campaign/