Over the past five years working in partnership with John Hansard Gallery, the Public Engagement with Research unit, (PERu) has invited research scientists, post-doctoral researchers, postgraduate students and citizen scientists working across a range of science disciplines and in multidisciplinary contexts to take part in this ambitious programme bringing together science and poetry.
Poetic Science aims to nurture an environment of multi-disciplinarity, collaboration and connectivity. As part of an annual call, Poetic Science welcomes expressions of interest from community-based researchers and/or citizen scientists along with university postgraduate students, post-docs and researchers in the sciences. Working with renowned creative writer, Dr Helen Eastman, participants develop skills in creative writing, communication and performance techniques based on their areas of scientific interest through poetry.
“Poetic Science was an extremely fun and refreshing experience. I thoroughly enjoyed finding ways to express my thoughts and passion for my science using creative language. Since then, I have used poetry in my public engagement and even in outreach classes that I ran with school students before the summer holidays. I would do this again, 100%!” (Poetic Scientist)
Participants access three two-hour late afternoon/early evening online poetry writing workshops along with a session on performing poetry live, delivered between 9 February and 9 March 2026. Completed works are showcased at a live special Poetic Science Takeover event as part of the Southampton Science and Engineering Festival in March.
Watch an online recorded performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcysRMF0bWw
To get involved or to find out more, contact: peruciviccommunity@soton.ac.uk