Cambridge Festival brings research, creativity and discovery to Cambridge Folk Festival

From examining animal skulls and skeletons to writing poetry inspired by nature and uncovering the hidden sugar in everyday foods, festivalgoers were invited to explore the world of research through a series of interactive activities led by University of Cambridge researchers and engagement teams. 

Hands-on biology for all ages 

One of the most popular activities came from Cambridge Biologists, who brought a fascinating collection of biological specimens for visitors to handle and investigate. Eggs, skulls, bones, a skeleton, fish and plant material were among the objects on display, giving children and adults alike the chance to learn about the natural world through direct interaction with real scientific specimens. The activity offered a fun, engaging and educational experience that encouraged curiosity and conversation across generations. 

Finding inspiration in nature 

Creativity was also at the heart of the Cambridge Festival presence, with a poetry workshop inspired by nature and the poem Alpine Elegy from the University’s Creative Encounters project. Using natural objects and outdoor prompts, participants created their own poems, resulting in more than 20 original poems written by people of all ages over the course of the festival. The workshop demonstrated how research, literature and the natural environment can come together to spark imagination and creative expression. 

Can you guess the sugar? 

Researchers from the Institute of Metabolic Science – Metabolic Research Laboratories (IMS-MRL) challenged visitors to test their nutrition knowledge with the interactive “Guess the Sugar” activity. Participants were asked to match popular foods and drinks with the amount of sugar they contain, often revealing surprising results. Alongside the challenge, researchers shared insights into how their work is helping us better understand metabolism and improve health, showing how everyday questions about food can connect to cutting-edge medical research. 

A new way to get involved in research 

The Cambridge Festival also introduced visitors to the Research Engagement Network, a new initiative designed to help members of the public discover opportunities to take part in research and engagement activities across the University. Visitors were invited to sign up for updates on research developments, public events and opportunities to contribute to research projects, helping to build a community of people interested in making research more relevant, inclusive and impactful. 

If you are interested in taking part in the Research Engagement Network, you can sign up here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=RQSlSfq9eUut41R7TzmG6cM569uHirZMuOlfSyQBHdVURjAwVlBSMEdQV1ZJWFdESzJKMEJVWTc2QS4u&origin=QRCode.

By bringing science, creativity and public engagement into the lively setting of the Cambridge Folk Festival, the Cambridge Festival demonstrated how research can be accessible, inspiring and enjoyable for everyone. 

Running since 1965, the Cambridge Folk Festival is organised by Cambridge City Council and is one of the world’s longest-running music festivals.