ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app

NSW Launch of 2026 National Science Week: Science & Country 

Hosted by Inspiring Australia NSW and the University of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app 

Officially launched by The Hon. Paul Scully MP, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app. 

When: Tuesday, 11 August | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm AEST 

Where: ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Science Space, North ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app 

Cost: Free (Registration required) 

Join us at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Science Space for the official NSW launch of National Science Week 2026! This inspiring evening explores how First Nations wisdom and Western scientific research come together to deepen our understanding of the natural world. 

What to expect on the night: 

• Panel discussion: Hosted by Emily Jateff (Chair of Inspiring NSW), leading ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app researchers will discuss Aboriginal ways of knowing, being, and doing, and share collaborative insights into sunlight, body clocks, UV science, and sun safety. 

• Bush tucker & networking: Connect with speakers and attendees while enjoying complimentary local bush tucker-inspired canapés. 

• Interactive exhibits & planetarium: Explore Science Space exhibits and experience The Earth Above: A Deep Time View of Australia's Epic History—an immersive Planetarium feature combining deep time history with First Nations knowledge. 

Places are free, but registration is required to attend. 

Science Week at Early Start Discovery Space

When: Tuesday, 11 August, 2026, 10:00 am
Where: - Building 21 University of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app, Northfields Ave, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app NSW 2500
Cost: FREE with paid entry to Early Start Discovery Space

Build curiosity of science through fizzing bicarb and vinegar reactions and more hands-on science-based play.  

Allan Sefton Memorial Lecture

Date: Tuesday, 18 August, 2026, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: Lecture Theatre 1, Building 20 and online via Webex, University of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app

The Allan Sefton Memorial Lecture is held annually and is named in honour of the late Allan Sefton, who was well-known as a naturalist and conservator of the environment. The Lecture is a public occasion where a distinguished Australian scientist or environmental advocate speaks on a topic of wide environmental interest.

This year the Guest Lecturer is Emeritus Professor Colin Woodroffe, who will deliver a lecture on ‘Rising Sea Level and Resilient Coasts’.

There will be light refreshments at the conclusion of the lecture 

More information and reserve your seat

Manufacturing the Future  

When: Tuesday, 18 August, 2026, 4.30 pm
Where: Science Space 

Australia's manufacturing jobs of the future will be based on the scientific discoveries of today. 

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app research and training have underpinned advances in manufacturing in the Illawarra since its inception, over 50 years ago and is well placed to lead the current revolution.  

Based on discoveries in ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app research, new manufacturing industries in the energy sector have emerged, Hysata (manufacturing electrolysers to generate green hydrogen) and Sicona (manufacturing new electrodes to recharge the battery world). 

A new manufacturing opportunity is emerging, bioengineered products to meet critical medical challenges. The University of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app is leading the establishment of a national network to enable pilot scale manufacturing of bioengineered products for first-in-human (FIH) trials. 

These exciting breakthroughs will be presented by ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app early-mid career researchers (EMCRs) who are playing a crucial role in building these new manufacturing industries in the Illawarra. 

Come along to celebrate science and the jobs of the future. 

Find out more and register

ABC Radio Illawarra Live Broadcast - Mornings with Nick Rheinberger 

When: Wednesday, 18 August, 2026: 8.30 am - 11.30 am
Where: Come along and join us in-person at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app campus between the library and building 20 (Panizzi café) or listen live via 97.3FM,  or the . 
Cost: Free | Open to all students, staff, and community members 

To celebrate National Science Week, ABC Illawarra Mornings with Nick Rheinberger is broadcasting live right from the heart of the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app campus! 

Whether you pop in between classes, drop by during your morning coffee break, or tune in on your radio, this is your backstage pass to world-changing research and science education happening right here at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app. 

What’s on the air & on campus 

• Live campus Interviews: Hear directly from ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app academics, research students, and professional staff across a fascinating range of topics—from cognitive testing and quantum chemistry to human composting, rare escarpment flora, and marine life like whales and dolphins. 

• Behind-the-scenes Lab Tours: Listen in on Nick’s visits to ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app research laboratories, giving you an exclusive look at the latest advances in molecular biology and isotope chemistry. 

• Join the Atmosphere: Grab a coffee or bite to eat from Panizzi Café, pull up a spot at the picnic tables in the sun, and enjoy the live radio energy in person. 

Bring your curiosity and join us on campus or tune in live to discover how ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app research is making a real-world difference! 

The National Marie Curie Lecture 

When: Wednesday, 19 August, 2026 - Doors Open: 6.00 pm. Lecture begins: 6.30 pm 
Where: ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Science Space, Puckey Avenue, Innovation Campus, University of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app

Painting the Universe: A visual & musical exploration of space-time 

What if you could listen to the cosmos? In 2017, the Universe spoke through both light and gravitational waves—marking a brand-new era of astronomy. 

Join us for The National Marie Curie Lecture, presented by the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) and ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app, featuring 2026 AIP Women in Physics Lecturer Dr Karelle Siellez (University of Tasmania). 

In this captivating public lecture, Dr Siellez—a Breakthrough Prize-winning astrophysicist and science communicator—weaves together sound, art, and astrophysics to reveal the story of gravitational wave collisions and the origin of the elements that make up our world. Discover how "multi-messenger" signals like kilonovae and gamma-ray bursts tell the cosmos's most dramatic stories, and why protecting the silence of space connects science, nature, and our shared humanity. 

Don't miss this journey blending scientific discovery with creative expression. Space is limited 

Science on the South Coast - ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Eurobodalla

When: Friday, 21 August, 2026, 2:45 pm - 4:45 pm
Where: ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Eurobodalla, 1 Hanging Rock Place, Batemans Bay

Explore the University of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Eurobodalla campus as it transforms into a hub of science activities. 

This is a free event and all are welcome. There is something for all ages and interests. Spend the afternoon exploring hands-on interactive science stations where everyone can experiment and discover freely.  There will be anatomy displays, physics activities, simulations in the Nursing facilities and the Fire and Ice science show delivered by the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Science Space. 

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app EUROBODALLA

Science on the South Coast - ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Shoalhaven 

When: Saturday, 22 August, 2026 - 10 am - 3 pm
Where: ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Shoalhaven, George Evans Rd, West Nowra

Explore the University of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Shoalhaven campus as it transforms into a hub of science activities. This is a free event and all are welcome. There is something for all ages and interests. 

Come along to: 

• See ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Motorsport’s latest Formula-style EV 
• Attend the captivating live showcase: The best of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Science Space. 
• Launch a rocket 
• Meet some reptiles with the Dragon Training mobile zoo 
• Tour the on-site observatory and look through a telescope 
• Look at and hold anatomy models of body parts 
• Test dummy patients in medicine and nursing 
• See your muscles move via ultrasound 
• Experience sensory anatomical models for those with low/no vision 

Our cafe will be open and there will be a food van will be on campus selling food and drink 

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Shoalhaven