About us

We are committed to sharing science with communities in Midlothian.

Midlothian Science Festival ran for the first time in 2012. We ran over 30 events, with over 100 volunteers, at over 17 locations and over 1000 people attended.In 2018, around 8000 people attended over 125 events in schools and community venues

Our directors are:

Heather McQueen: Associate Director of Teaching Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh
Sarah Keer-Keer: Public Engagement Manger, Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh
Dr Nicola Stock: Public Engagement Officer, Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh
Grant McGowan: CLL Worker & STEM Co -ordinator, Midothian Council
Ken Aitchison: Public Engagement Manger Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh

Festival Manager: Claire Jellema

School Programme Coordinator : Jayne Quoiani (Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre Officer)

Volunteer Creative Team Volunteers:

info coming soon

Freelance Staff :

Tony Thompson – TSE Engagement, Admin support and Content developer
Lewis Hou – The Science Ceilidh, Schools programme
Éamonn Coyne – Website support
David Anthony – Designer

Our committee members include:

Kathleen Pullen,

Susi Bachmann

Ken Aitchinson

Lewi Hou – Science Ceilidh

Alison Dunwell – Midlothian Libraries

Caroline Wight – Midlothian Council Economic Development

We are a Scottish Registered Charity SC044130

Our registered address is: Swann Building, Wtccb Max Born Cresent, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH9 3BF

We are a company limited by guarantee, Company SC446006

Our mission is to:

Inspire and engage people in science and discovery, and build trust between local science centres and local communities
To cultivate curiosity and communicate the power of knowledge and creativity to change our world view.
Encourage people to understand real life application of science and issues of controversy so that they might become informed citizens involved in decision making.
Raise aspirations of local young people and help cultivate the next generation of scientific explorers.

Our aims are:

To develop high-quality, meaningful engagement with Midlothian people and communities. Co-produce events with local groups.
To run enjoyable science activities in Midlothian appealing to a diverse audience of all ages, backgrounds and experience.
To provide a non-threatening entry point for local people from a varied demographic to engage with science (prioritising deprived and rural areas).
To provide science role models in the form of festival staff, volunteers and presenters who live or work in the local area.
To showcase Midlothian’s contribution and importance to science and technology at a global level.

Our Sponsors:

Without our sponsors we cannot run this festival. All our events are free or heavily subsidised, and do not raise income. Most people involved in the festival give their services and time for free. However, the festival needs a dedicated administrator, a printed brochure and a wonderful website and this is where the majority of our costs are spent.