The international Pint of Science festival is returning to Portsmouth this month, bringing researchers from the University of Portsmouth into local pubs to share their work with the community. The event, which runs from Monday 18 May to Wednesday 20 May 2026, features 26 speakers across nine evenings of presentations.
Talks will take place at The Barley Mow, The Florence Arms, The Guildhall Village, and Keppel’s Head Hotel. The sessions aim to make scientific topics accessible in an informal setting, covering a wide range of subjects including forensic science, the use of drones and artificial intelligence in search and rescue, glacier research, neurodiversity, and plastic pollution. Each session lasts approximately 20 minutes and includes a question-and-answer period alongside audience activities such as quizzes.
Public interest in the festival has been high, with multiple sessions already selling out. National organisers have recognised the Portsmouth programme for its engagement levels, noting the strong local response. The non-profit initiative was founded in 2013 by two researchers at Imperial College London and has since grown to include approximately 3,000 events globally.
At each event, doors open at 6:30pm with talks starting at 7pm. Tickets are priced at £5 and can be purchased through the Pint of Science website.
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