Imperial Lates are returning this autumn with three exciting new themes. These fun and free post-work events are a great night out, as well as a fantastic opportunity for Imperial staff and students to get experience in public engagement in a laid-back setting.
Whether you’re a seasoned Public Engagement expert or have never taken your work outside the lab, the Lates team wants to hear from you! Fully developed activities or initial ideas are equally welcome, and the team can help you to develop your proposition into a talk, exhibit or workshop.
Please complete the open call Qualtrics form to register your interest, and if you have any questions about the ideas submission process, please get in touch via email (lates@imperial.ac.uk)
This year’s themes are:
- Robots (29 October 2026) – we are looking for any research or projects related to robots, tech or automation. We are also open to some ideas about AI and machine learning. To be considered please submit your idea as soon as possible, and definitely by 25 August 2026 (17:00).
- African Science (3 December 2026) – This event will celebrate research collaborations across the African continent and showcase how research and innovation projects involving Imperial teams creating impact on the ground. To be considered, please submit your proposal as soon as possible, and no later than 5 October 2026 (17:00).
- Staying Connected (28 Jan 2027) – we would be interested in research projects looking at any aspect that helps improve the ability to stay connected in the modern day – anything from satellites, telecommunications, attraction, networks, internet, social media, social isolation, policies around remote working, digital inclusions or activities that support networking and building connections. This event may also have links to Valentines Day and/or LGBTQ+ History Month. Please submit your idea by 17 November 2026 (17:00).
If none of these quite fit with your area of expertise, you can still get involved as a volunteer! Volunteers keep everything running smoothly and can have a go at several roles, such as welcoming guests, supporting researchers or artists taking part in a workshop or talk or capturing social media content for Imperial channels. If you are an Imperial staff member or student interested in volunteering at Imperial Lates, you can sign up to the volunteer portal to be notified when shifts open.