The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Showcases provide unique opportunities to inspire a wide range of public audiences about environmental science. The showcases bring together exhibits, talks and debate and interactive science, engaging visitors including families, young people, school pupils and policymakers with research of the natural world.
Showcases aim to connect a diverse range of people to environmental science and the process of doing research. All NERC Showcases aim to inspire and enable us to share the range of incredible environmental science that we fund.
There’s no cost to attend, and most events are open to everyone, though some are aimed at specific groups like school visitors.
Showcases are a key part of the NERC Public Engagement Strategy, which sets out our commitment to meaningfully engage and involve our audiences with current environmental science.
Visitors exploring the interactive stand of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) at the Cardiff Showcase 2024. Credit: Emma Sheppard, UKCEH.
Showcase 2025
NERC is supporting the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) Dundee Showcase in September 2025 where there will be the opportunity for visitors to tour the Royal Research Ship Discovery and take part in events with the Dundee Heritage Trust.
Showcases 2016 to 2024
Between 2016 and 2024, NERC hosted a series of three public engagement Showcases.
Archwiliwch ein planed: Explore our Planet
The UKRI NERC 2024 Public Engagement Showcase ‘Archwiliwch ein planed – Explore our Planet’ was a three-day event which ran from Friday 18 October to Sunday 20 October 2024. It was delivered in partnership with the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and one of the UK’s longest established science centres, Techniquest Discovery Centre in Cardiff.
The free event welcomed more than 3,000 visitors over the weekend, attracting the public, schools and young people as well as policymakers, businesses, community, and UK and Welsh government leaders.
Those who visited were able to see ocean science in action, find out more about the secret life of seals, try on genuine Antarctic explorer gear, and take a tour of the Royal Research Ship James Cook, amongst a range of activities, talks and exhibits on offer.
Unearthed
The UKRI NERC 2021 Public Engagement Showcase ‘Unearthed’ was delivered with Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. More than 100 scientists showcased their research across more than 30 interactive exhibits, with 7,000 budding scientists of all ages able to learn about their world, question the things we see every day around us, and be inspired about our science.
Into the Blue
The UKRI NERC 2016 Public Engagement Showcase ‘Into The Blue’ took place in Manchester. This Showcase brought alive the sea and the sky, with visitors able to experience ‘hands-on’ the best of the UK’s environmental science research and the cutting-edge technology that is used to measure and monitor our environment.
A visitor taking a selfie with the ‘Boaty McBoatface’ Autosub Long Range vehicle, at the Cardiff Showcase 2024. Credit: Daniel Bourne, NOC.
Last updated: 13 March 2025