{"id":4,"date":"2026-08-24T13:04:05","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T12:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/festivalofthemind.sheffield.ac.uk\/2026\/home\/"},"modified":"2026-10-15T15:49:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T14:49:11","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/festivalofthemind.sheffield.ac.uk\/2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Festival of the Mind 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Festival of the Mind 2026<\/h2>\n

Discover what happens when art, creativity and research come together at the University of Sheffield’s Festival of the Mind.<\/p>\n

Taking place across Sheffield, the festival brings together researchers and local artists for 10 days of interactive exhibitions, live performances, talks, films and activities.<\/p>\n

With over 40 creative collaborations exploring everything from artificial intelligence and virtual reality to health, history, nature and the environment, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.<\/p>\n

All events and exhibitions are free and open to everyone.<\/p>\n

Explore the festival programme and plan your visit.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Performances, talks, films and demos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From live music and theatre to robotics demonstrations, film screenings and interactive workshops, discover how University of Sheffield researchers and local creatives are bringing their ideas to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore everything from artificial intelligence and the future of technology to Sheffield’s hidden histories, science and culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Book for our 2026 events<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Exhibitions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Discover interactive exhibitions across Sheffield’s Millennium Gallery, Persistence Works and Winter Garden, where University of Sheffield researchers have teamed up with local artists to bring their ideas to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From virtual reality and artificial intelligence to space, nature, health and Sheffield’s industrial heritage, experience research in new and unexpected ways through immersive installations, sculptures, films and hands-on activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover our 2026 exhibitions<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The University of Sheffield Player<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Explore highlights from previous Festival of the Mind events and exhibitions on the University of Sheffield Player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover how researchers and local artists have brought fascinating ideas to life through exhibitions, performances, talks and films, covering everything from science and technology to history, culture and the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore Festival of the Mind on the Player<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sign up to our monthly newsletter to hear about the latest research from the University of Sheffield<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Latest news<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\tView all news<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t
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Festival of the Mind returns to Sheffield with over 40 free events this November<\/h3>\t\t

A mind-blowing celebration of the University of Sheffield\u2019s world-leading research is heading to the city centre this autumn, as Festival of the Mind returns with over 40 free live performances, exhibitions, films and interactive events. The nine-day family-friendly festival, which has brought more than 200,000 visitors into Sheffield city centre since 2012, returns to venues […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/a>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\"\"\t\t

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A warm welcome from Festival Director, Professor Vanessa Toulmin<\/h3>\t\t

A warm welcome to Festival of the Mind 2026! Fifteen years after we began planning in 2011 and eight festivals strong, this edition holds a deeply personal significance for me. As I step down as Festival Director to return to my community of scholars in the School of English, I find myself looking back on […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/a>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\"\"\t\t

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