Talks and shows

The living lab above: Science of the sky

Join engineer and inventor Lucy Rogers for a vivid, curiosity-fuelled journey through the sky as a dynamic living laboratory.

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Join engineer and broadcaster Lucy Rogers as she blends hands-on demonstrations, modern science, and personal adventure to reveal the wonders visible to anyone who simply looks up. 

Lucy will begin by recreating classic Victorian experiments, including some from the Ri's own history —from John Tyndall’s light-scattering demonstrations explaining why the sky is blue, to the buoyancy that underpins everything from drifting clouds to soaring gliders. From there, the exploration widens to the many phenomena unfolding overhead: from migrating butterflies and murmurating starlings, to shimmering aurorae and the planets beyond. 

Interwoven throughout are stories from Lucy’s own field adventures, paired with clear scientific insight into navigation, flight, atmospheric optics, and the technologies that help us study the sky today. The talk will also bring the latest frontier research into focus, inviting you to rediscover the sky as a place of science, beauty, and ongoing discovery. Look up - and see the world in a whole new way. 

Copies of Lucy's book "Up: A Scientist’s Guide to the Magic Above Us" will be available for purchase after the talk. 

Event type

This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online. 

By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's event terms and conditions. You also agree to abide by our code of conduct, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants. Please note that Eventbrite adds a small booking fee to the amount paid for each ticket option.

For any queries regarding this event please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

This is an event at the Ri. 

About Lucy Rogers

Lucy Rogers
Lucy Rogers

Lucy Rogers MBE is an award-winning engineer, inventor and science communicator. She is Visiting Professor of Engineering: Creativity and Communication at Brunel University London. With a career that spans designing animatronic dinosaurs, innovating space-debris-mitigation technologies, and serving as a judge on BBC’s Robot Wars, she aims to bring creativity and curiosity to every facet of her work. Honoured with an MBE in 2024 for her services to engineering, she has captivated global audiences of all ages at conferences and science festivals.

Timing

Doors to the theatre will open at 6.45pm and the talk will begin at 7.00pm.

Timing for the livestream

The livestream will go live at 6.55pm and the introduction will begin at 7.00pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at events@ri.ac.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Event terms and conditions

The Royal Institution is part of the Amazon Affiliate Programme, and book links on this page may be affiliate links.

It won't cost you any extra, but as an Amazon Affiliate, the Ri will earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

All proceeds from our affiliate links help support the charitable work of the Ri.