ASDC 2026: Who cares about science?: Full Schedule

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10:00am BST

Day 1: Registration & refreshments

Wednesday October 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am BST

Techniquest

Wednesday October 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Break

10:45am BST

Welcome

Wednesday October 14, 2026 10:45am - 11:00am BST

Techniquest

Speakers

Through work with ASDC, Ecsite and other international partnerships, Shaaron is known for leading a number of national and international programmes and collaborations that foreground and value equitable and inclusive science engagement practice. She feels lucky to be part of a number... Read More →

Wednesday October 14, 2026 10:45am - 11:00am BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Welcome

11:00am BST

Movement break

Wednesday October 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:10am BST

Techniquest

Wednesday October 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:10am BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Movement break

11:10am BST

Deep dives: Articulating impact

Wednesday October 14, 2026 11:10am - 1:10pm BST

Techniquest

Wednesday October 14, 2026 11:10am - 1:10pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Deep dive

11:10am BST

Deep dives: Careers + Skills

Wednesday October 14, 2026 11:10am - 1:10pm BST

Techniquest

Speakers

Clare Davy

Head of Education and Community Outreach, Francis Crick Institute

Clare is Head of Education and Community Outreach at the Francis Crick Institute, a biomedical research institute in central London, with a strategic focus on engaging and inspiring the general public. She leads a team working with schools, charities, the council and a range of... Read More →

Ellie Horner

Education Operations Manager, Francis Crick Institute

Ellie is the Education Operations Manager at the Francis Crick Institute, where she leads on the development and delivery of programmes that create opportunities for young people, including the institute's T-level placement programme. Working closely with the school, their students... Read More →

Wednesday October 14, 2026 11:10am - 1:10pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Deep dive

11:10am BST

Deep dives: Climate + Sustainability

Wednesday October 14, 2026 11:10am - 1:10pm BST

Techniquest

Speakers

Chris Dunford

Sustainability and Science Director, We The Curious

Chris has been responsible for Sustainable Futures at We The Curious since 2010. During that time, he has introduced a sector-leading programme of environmental best practice, innovative technologies, and organisational change. In 2019, Chris led We The Curious to become the first... Read More →

Wednesday October 14, 2026 11:10am - 1:10pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Deep dive

11:10am BST

Deep dives: Community + Co-creation

Wednesday October 14, 2026 11:10am - 1:10pm BST

Techniquest

Wednesday October 14, 2026 11:10am - 1:10pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Deep dive

1:10pm BST

Lunch

Wednesday October 14, 2026 1:10pm - 2:00pm BST

Techniquest

Wednesday October 14, 2026 1:10pm - 2:00pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Break

2:00pm BST

Afternoon plenary: Who cares about science?

Wednesday October 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm BST

Techniquest

Wednesday October 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Welcome

2:30pm BST

Keynote: UK Government Chief Scientific Advisor

Wednesday October 14, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm BST

Techniquest

Speakers

Professor Dame Angela McLean

Government Chief Scientific Adviser

Professor Dame Angela McLean is Government Chief Scientific Adviser and also Head of the Government Science and Engineering Profession. Prior to this Angela was the Chief Scientific Adviser for the Ministry of Defence. Until April 2023, Angela was a Professor of Mathematical Biology... Read More →

Wednesday October 14, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Keynote

3:00pm BST

The Marsh ASDC Volunteer Award and Youth Voice Awards

Wednesday October 14, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm BST

Techniquest

Wednesday October 14, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Awards

3:30pm BST

Refreshment break

Wednesday October 14, 2026 3:30pm - 4:00pm BST

Techniquest

Wednesday October 14, 2026 3:30pm - 4:00pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Break

4:00pm BST

From funding gap to trust gap: Framing science centres as civic insitutions

Wednesday October 14, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm BST

Techniquest

Speakers

Sarah Dowd

Founder, The Tricolor Collective

Sarah Dowd is a leader in the cultural and visitor attraction sectors, blending strategic expertise with a creative, bohemian approach to learning and experience development. Founder of The Tricolor Collective, Les Raconteurs, and Heritage for All, she has over 25 years’ experience... Read More →

Clarissa Levi

Wedlake Bell, Art & Heritage Counsel

Clarissa Levi is Art & Heritage Counsel at law firm Wedlake Bell. She advises museums, heritage organisations, charities and cultural institutions across the UK. Her practice focuses on the stewardship of collections and heritage assets, helping organisations navigate governance... Read More →

Wednesday October 14, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Session

4:00pm BST

If they don’t care about science, is it their fault or ours?

Wednesday October 14, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm BST

Techniquest

Speakers

Victoria Denoon

Head of W5, W5, The Odyssey Trust

Victoria Denoon is the Head of W5 at The Odyssey Trust, where she leads the strategic development and delivery of all operational, commercial, creative, and guest experience functions at Northern Ireland’s award-winning science and discovery centre. A champion of interdisciplinary... Read More →

Wednesday October 14, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Session

4:00pm BST

Who cares about science shows?

Wednesday October 14, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm BST

Techniquest

Speakers

Wendy Sadler

Founding Director, Science Made Simple

Wendy is the founding Director of Science Made Simple, an award‑winning Science Communication social enterprise working across the UK and internationally. Since 2002, the organisation has reached more than 1.3 million people in over 38 countries. Wendy was awarded an MBE for... Read More →

Elin Roberts

Head of Public Engagement, International Centre for Life

With a passion for science communication, Elin leads a team creating engaging and accessible programmes and activities for visitors to Life Science Centre. Elin has a strong track record in promoting lifelong, playful, curiosity in STEM subjects.

David Price

Science Communicator, Science Made Simple

He is a recipient of the Manchester Science Festival Josh award for outstanding innovation in science communication for his work in developing and popularising science busking techniques. David has gone on to specialise in this hugely mobile and inspirational form of science communication... Read More →

Dr Sarah Bearchell

Science writer and presenter, Freelance

Dr Sarah Bearchell is a freelancer based in Oxfordshire. She writes science shows and activities for herself and others to present, with an emphasis on Inclusive Science which welcomes and works for whoever arrives at an event. This approach won her the 2014 Josh Award and 2024 Beetlestone Award... Read More →

Wednesday October 14, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Session

4:50pm BST

Day 1: Close

Wednesday October 14, 2026 4:50pm - 5:00pm BST

Techniquest

Wednesday October 14, 2026 4:50pm - 5:00pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

7:00pm BST

Evening drinks reception and dinner at Techniquest

Wednesday October 14, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm BST

Techniquest

Wednesday October 14, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

8:30pm BST

Dinner keynote speaker TBA

Wednesday October 14, 2026 8:30pm - 9:00pm BST

Techniquest

Wednesday October 14, 2026 8:30pm - 9:00pm BST
Techniquest Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Keynote

ASDC 2026: Who cares about science?

10:00am BST

10:45am BST

Sue Wardle

Shaaron Leverment

11:00am BST

11:10am BST

11:10am BST

Clare Davy

Ellie Horner

11:10am BST

Chris Dunford

11:10am BST

1:10pm BST

2:00pm BST

2:30pm BST

Professor Dame Angela McLean

3:00pm BST

3:30pm BST

4:00pm BST

Sarah Dowd

Clarissa Levi

4:00pm BST

Victoria Denoon

4:00pm BST

Wendy Sadler

Elin Roberts

David Price

Dr Sarah Bearchell

4:50pm BST

7:00pm BST

8:30pm BST

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