Extraordinary things are happening on your doorstep!
Voyage of Discovery: Exploring Research Together is a free programme of public events, schools activities and online content from the University of Plymouth, connecting people of all ages with the extraordinary research happening on their doorstep.
What is it?
Once a year, researchers across Europe open their doors to the public as part of European Researchers’ Night, a celebration of science taking place simultaneously across 40 countries and more than 460 cities every September.
The University of Plymouth’s contribution to that celebration is Voyage of Discovery. Researchers from the University of Plymouth come out into the community, into venues, libraries, city centres and campus buildings, to share their work, answer your questions and show what a life in research actually looks like.
Our first public events took place in September 2026, and you can see how they went in the 2026 Events Gallery. The next are in September 2027.
Between our public events, the schools programme takes that same spirit of curiosity directly into classrooms and school settings across Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall, giving young people the chance to meet researchers and explore ideas that matter to the world they are growing up in. Our Short Voyages films also keep the conversation going online, with researchers telling us in their own words what they do and why.
Who is it for?
Everyone. Families, children, curious adults, people who love science and people who think science is not for them. Voyage of Discovery has been designed to be welcoming, hands-on and genuinely fun - whatever your age or background.
Built on Experience
Voyage of Discovery grows out of a strong track record of free public engagement across the South West, bringing research from across disciplines - from marine science and engineering to art, architecture and the humanities - to curious people in their communities.
Our partners
Voyage of Discovery happens because of the brilliant organisations across the region who share our belief that research belongs to everyone.
We are working with The Box Plymouth, Market Hall Devonport, the Eden Project, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, the National Marine Aquarium, Liskeard Library and colleges across Devon and Cornwall to bring events to the places and communities that matter most.
Voyage of Discovery is funded by the European Union under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions and Citizens programme, Horizon Europe, Grant Agreement No. 101305587.
