Open your mind to the wonder of science at the World Science Festival Brisbane
During this year’s festival, the sharpest scientific minds from Australia and beyond will ask—and answer—the most pressing questions about the universe. This truly unique mix of scientists, scientific communicators, academics, artists, musicians, comedians and more will come together to remind us that science is fun, funny, fascinating and fearless.
Please visit the World Science Festival Brisbane site for the latest updates and information.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (
Dream On: The Waste and Climate WarPresented by Griffith
Planet advocate and environmental provocateur, Craig Reucassel plunges into Australia’s waste and climate crisis. Armed with an unwavering determination, he leads a battalion of scientists on a quest to uncover practical climate solutions and empower all of us in the battle against waste.
This is the no-nonsense conversation that charts a path toward cleaning-up our act for a more sustainable future.
- Professor Frederic Leusch, Dean Research Griffith Sciences
- Dr Anya Phelan, Griffith Asia Institute
Night of the Nerds
World Science Festival Brisbane’s delightfully dorky variety game show is back. Comedian Mark Humphries will boldly go where no host has gone before as two all-star teams of scientists, tech heads and funny people face off in a series of challenges to lead their team to the ultimate nerdy triumph. Come one, come all for a side-splitting night of warp speed chaos, and remember, the geek will inherit the earth!
Everything You Need to Know About: Parasites
Parasites – blood-sucking freeloaders or medical curiosities? Most people will cross paths with a parasite during their lifetime, but few will know about the bizarre lives they lead. There are brain eating amoeba, protozoa that drive mice to have a fatal attraction to cats and even worms that might be useful in treating human diseases.
Professor Katherine Andrews Director, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery
Brisbane’s Urban Greening Walking
Tour In a world where cities are getting bigger, it’s important to preserve and reintroduce nature to support our ecosystems. Living green infrastructure can be implemented within urban spaces to enhance the sustainability of our cities. Join researchers from Griffith University’s Green Infrastructure Research Labs (GIRLS) on this walking tour around South Brisbane to explore innovative green walls, roofs, and other urban greenery.
City of Science: Displays and Demos
The City of Science returns to South Bank over the weekend of World Science Festival Brisbane with loads of fun, hands-on activities for the whole family to enjoy. We invite you to join us at the tents surrounding South Bank Piazza and meet the Griffith Racing Team, composed of dedicated students who design and manufacture an open-wheel race car from the ground up; send your name to space or have a go with flying in our flight simulator. All activities hosted are free, drop in and non-ticketed.
Education programs
Building Sustainable Cities
Calling all young visionaries, eco-enthusiasts and future city planners! In this dynamic, interactive workshop, students and educators will be inspired to use their very best STEM skills to think differently about the cities of tomorrow.
Griffith expert: Dr Jennifer Leigh Campbell
Epic Science Adventures
A career in STEM can take you to some extraordinary places and epic adventures to uncover the mysteries of our amazing planet. More than experiments in labs or reviewing samples, the world of STEM post-secondary school offers incredible variety in activity and interests.
Griffith expert: Professor Julien Louys
Labs Unlocked: Griffith Sea Jellies Research Lab
The Griffith Sea Jellies Research Laboratory is a state-of-the-art research facility specialised for studying jellyfishes. Located within the iconic Sea World theme park on the Gold Coast, the laboratory is on display to the public and provides a unique opportunity for the community to observe scientific research being done.
Australian Academy of Science National Symposium
In 2024, the Australian Academy of Science’s National Symposium will, for the first time, be held in Brisbane. The National Symposium will explore the very substance of life: food! We will explore how the food on our plates—whether it’s taco Tuesday or Sunday roast—is changing. Australia is one of the most food-secure countries in the world and our food exports are a significant part of our economy. But our population is growing, the climate is altering what we can grow and where, and supply chains are being disrupted by global conflicts and pandemics. This National Symposium will engage and relate to everyday Australians’ experiences while illustrating Australia’s scientific capabilities and how they will shape and meet the future needs of the nation.
Events
|
Participants(s) |
Event(s) |
Date(s) |
Time |
Venue |
Tickets |
Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dr Sylvie Chell,
Cassidy Winter (PhD candidate)
GIRLS Lab Cities Research Institute |
Brisbane’s Urban Greening Walking Tour In a world where cities are getting bigger, it’s important to preserve and reintroduce nature to support our ecosystems. Living green infrastructure can be implemented within urban spaces to enhance the sustainability of our cities. Join researchers from Griffith University’s Green Infrastructure Research Labs (GIRLS) on this walking tour around South Brisbane to explore innovative green walls, roofs, and other urban greenery. |
Sun 17th March 2024 Thurs 21 March 2024 Fri 22 March 2024 |
9:00am-10:30am |
Conservatorium Theatre, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, South Brisbane |
FREE, Bookings Required |
|
|
Dr Jennifer Leigh Campbell Lecturer, School of Engineering and Built Environment, GIRLS Lab
STEM Squad |
Building Sustainable Cities Calling all young visionaries, eco-enthusiasts and future city planners! In this dynamic, interactive workshop, students and educators will be inspired to use their very best STEM skills to think differently about the cities of tomorrow. Join Griffith University’s environmental engineer, Dr. Jennifer Campbell to explore the fascinating world of ecological engineering, resource management and blue-green infrastructure. Build essential teamwork, problem solving and inquiry skills linked to the Australian Curriculum. In this hands-on experience, students become the architects of change. Let their creativity run wild as they design cities of the future by revolutionising our urban landscapes. |
Wed 20th March 2024 |
12:30-2:30pm
|
The Edge, State Library of QLD |
$10 per student
N.B Currently SOLD OUT
|
|
|
|
Building Sustainable Cities |
Wed 20th March 2024 |
9:30-11:30am
|
The Edge, State Library of QLD |
$10 per student
|
|
|
Julien Louys Professor, School of Environment and Science – Environment and Marine |
Epic Science Adventures A career in STEM can take you to some extraordinary places and epic adventures to uncover the mysteries of our amazing planet. More than experiments in labs or reviewing samples, the world of STEM post-secondary school offers incredible variety in activity and interests. |
Wed 20th March 2024 |
1:15-2:15pm
|
Cremorne Theatre, QPAC |
$10 per student N.B Currently SOLD OUT
|
|
|
|
Epic Science Adventures |
Wed 20th March 2024 |
10-11am |
Cremorne Theatre, QPAC |
$10 per student N.B Currently SOLD OUT |
|
|
VIP Experience
Tickets to participants of B2032 panel: "How the Games can and should be leveraged to achieve significant positive impacts.” |
Turtle Hatchery - World Science Festival Brisbane’s hugely popular annual turtle hatching offers a rare opportunity for students to witness nature at its finest, while learning about Queensland Government conservation initiatives that have been crucial to the survival of an endangered species. Students will witness Loggerhead Turtles emerging from their eggs in transparent incubators and see them swimming in our large saltwater aquariums.
|
Thursday |
8.30am |
Level 4, Theatre, Queensland Museum
|
VIP allocated by GU |
|
|
Science on the GO! |
STEM Ambassador Conference at Parliament House |
Fri 22 March 2024 |
8.30am-2.15pm |
Parliament House |
N/A |
|
|
Dr Anya Phelan (GBS)/ Prof Frederic Leusch (Dean Academic, Sciences, |
Dream On: The Waste and Climate War Planet advocate and environmental provocateur, Craig Reucassel plunges into Australia’s waste and climate crisis. Armed with an unwavering determination, he leads a battalion of scientists on a quest to uncover practical climate solutions and empower all of us in the battle against waste. This is the no-nonsense conversation that charts a path toward cleaning-up our act for a more sustainable future. |
Sat 23rd March 2024 |
1:30 -3:00pm |
Cremorne Theatre, QPAC |
A - $39 C - $35
*$7.20 transaction fee applies
|
|
|
Prof Kylie Pitt (School of Environment and Sciences, GIFT) |
Labs Unlocked: Griffith Sea Jellies Research Laboratory The Griffith Sea Jellies Research Laboratory is a state-of-the-art research facility specialised for studying jellyfishes. Located within the iconic Sea World theme park on the Gold Coast, the laboratory is on display to the public and provides a unique opportunity for the community to observe scientific research being done. Visitors will enjoy a specially curated behind-the-scenes tour of the laboratory, guided by one of the laboratory’s research scientists. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the diverse jellyfish that are maintained in the laboratory, learn how they are cultured, and discover some of the fascinating research being undertaken by the laboratory’s research team. |
Sat 23rd March 2024 Sat 23rd March 2024 Sun 24th March 2024 Sun 24th March 2024 Sun 24th March 2024
|
10am 11:30am 11am 12:30pm 2:00pm
|
Griffith Sea Jellies Research Lab, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach |
FREE, Bookings Required
N.B CurrentlySOLD OUT |
|
|
Katherine Andrews, Director, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery |
Everything You Need to Know About: Parasites Parasites – blood-sucking freeloaders or medical curiosities? Most people will cross paths with a parasite during their lifetime, but few will know about the bizarre lives they lead. There are brain eating amoeba, protozoa that drive mice to have a fatal attraction to cats and even worms that might be useful in treating human diseases. |
Sat 23rd March 2024 |
10:30– 11:30am |
Level 2, Theatre, Queensland Museum |
A - $25 C - $20 |
|
|
Prof Chamindie Punyadeera Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery |
Night of the Nerds Great Scott, it’s back to Night of the Nerds! World Science Festival Brisbane’s delightfully dorky variety game show is back. Comedian Mark Humphries (War on 2023, SBS’s The Feed, ABC’s 7:30) will boldly go where no host has gone before as two all-star teams of scientists, tech heads and funny people face off in a series of challenges to lead their team to the ultimate nerdy triumph. Testing their knowledge will be ABC News Breakfast weather presenter Nate Byrne, Astrophysicist Kirsten Banks, writer and comedian Craig Reucassel (The War on Waste), Professor Paul Young (The University of Queensland), Professor Chamindie Punyadeera (Griffith University) and science communicator Dr Naomi Koh Belic (The Drag Experiment) and more. Keeping a watchful eye on proceedings will be our fact checker and ABC super nerd, Tegan Taylor. Fronted by the always-entertaining Patience Hodgson (The Grates), with a stellar lineup including George Browning (Velociraptor, Babaganouj), Jen Boyce (Ball Park Music), Paul Furness (Ball Park Music) and Simi Lacroix. |
Sat 23rd March 2024 |
8:00-9:30pm |
Concert Hall, QPAC, South Brisbane |
A - $60 C - $55
*$7.20 transaction fee applies
|
|
|
Science On The GO!
2 x Stage Shows Marquee activation with Griffith Racing Team
STEM Squad |
City of Science Stage shows with Science demonstrations. |
Sat 23rd March 2024 Sun 24th March 2024 |
8:30am-4:00pm |
South Bank Parklands, South Brisbane |
FREE to all ages |
|
|
Fellows: Prof Stuart Bunn, Australian Rivers Institute etc |
Australian Academy of Science National Symposium In 2024, the Australian Academy of Science’s National Symposium will, for the first time, be held in Brisbane. As part of the WSF, attracting a wide and diverse audience, the National Symposium will explore the very substance of life: food! We will explore how the food on our plates—whether it’s taco Tuesday or Sunday roast—is changing. Australia is one of the most food-secure countries in the world and our food exports are a significant part of our economy. But our population is growing, the climate is altering what we can grow and where, and supply chains are being disrupted by global conflicts and pandemics. How will a carbon-neutral world affect our agricultural export trade, Australian farmers, scientists and consumers? And how do we strike a balance between the production of healthier foods with lower environmental impact, without compromising the profitability of the agriculture and food sectors? This National Symposium will engage and relate to everyday Australians’ experiences while illustrating Australia’s scientific capabilities and how they will shape and meet the future needs of the nation. |
Sat 23rd March 2024 |
9:30am – 5:30pm |
Brisbane Convention & Entertainment Centre |
A - $20-65 C - $10-20 |