A note from the editor on New Scientist Live

Preparations are underway for our annual New Scientist Live festival of science and ideas, which will take place in London next week.

The event will start on Saturday, October 12 and will last two days filled with talks, practical classes and shows, in which everyone will find something for themselves, regardless of age and interests. Discover the exhibition space where some of our most popular interactive exhibits return this year, including the hospital of the future – where you can try out surgical robots and virtual reality in cutting-edge medical fields – and an adrenaline-packed virtual rollercoaster ride. There are also all-new experiences featuring ocean beasts, dinosaurs and more.

This year we were joined by some amazing speakers, including Alice Roberts, Turi King, Robin Dunbar and our columnist David Robson. On four main stages – Mind and Body, the Universe, Our Planet and the Future – you can hear conversations on everything from forensics and supermassive black holes to the mysteries of gravity and how to eat for better brain health.

Our engagement stage will also be bigger and better than ever. You can spot your friends here New scientist faces, including a live version of our Dead Planets Society podcast with hosts Leah Crane and Chelsea Whyte, as well as culture editor Alison Flood hosting a science fiction showdown that will answer the big question of what the best science fiction novel of all time is.

I’m excited to be on stage on Monday as we celebrate our dedicated schools day, where we open our doors to the next generation of scientists. The dedicated speaker lineup includes Suzie Imber and Dallas Campbell with live demonstrations, as well as an incredibly explosive performance by Stefan Gates!

As always, we’ll have an exclusive area and other benefits for subscribers, but everyone is welcome – and if you can’t make it in person, you can also join via our livestream. I hope to meet you there.