Royal Institution
@rigb.org
We're an independent charity connecting people of all ages and backgrounds with science.
📺 Home of the #XmasLectures
💥 Weekly science talks online/in person
🌐 rigb.org
📺 Home of the #XmasLectures
💥 Weekly science talks online/in person
🌐 rigb.org
Applications for the Ri's Freer Fellowship are now open! This is a fully funded opportunity for doctoral candidates researching the history of science, the history of the Royal Institution, or heritage conservation science.
Find out more and apply here: rigb.org/about-us/ri-freer-fellowship
Find out more and apply here: rigb.org/about-us/ri-freer-fellowship
February 10, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Applications for the Ri's Freer Fellowship are now open! This is a fully funded opportunity for doctoral candidates researching the history of science, the history of the Royal Institution, or heritage conservation science.
Find out more and apply here: rigb.org/about-us/ri-freer-fellowship
Find out more and apply here: rigb.org/about-us/ri-freer-fellowship
This "forbidden doughnut" is a floating plasma toroid 🍩 Made with xenon gas within a custom-built globe, it's sitting on an oscillator that creates a strong magnetic field.
Find a more in-depth explanation here: youtube.com/watch?v=iXqbCmTt1Yg 🧪
Find a more in-depth explanation here: youtube.com/watch?v=iXqbCmTt1Yg 🧪
February 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM
This "forbidden doughnut" is a floating plasma toroid 🍩 Made with xenon gas within a custom-built globe, it's sitting on an oscillator that creates a strong magnetic field.
Find a more in-depth explanation here: youtube.com/watch?v=iXqbCmTt1Yg 🧪
Find a more in-depth explanation here: youtube.com/watch?v=iXqbCmTt1Yg 🧪
Dmitri Mendeleev, who created a version of the periodic table of elements, was born #OnThisDay in 1834. 🧪
Of the 10 elements discovered or first isolated here at the Ri, one has a bit of an image problem. @helenarney.bsky.social wrote a great song to remind us that boron isn't boring at all!
Of the 10 elements discovered or first isolated here at the Ri, one has a bit of an image problem. @helenarney.bsky.social wrote a great song to remind us that boron isn't boring at all!
February 8, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Dmitri Mendeleev, who created a version of the periodic table of elements, was born #OnThisDay in 1834. 🧪
Of the 10 elements discovered or first isolated here at the Ri, one has a bit of an image problem. @helenarney.bsky.social wrote a great song to remind us that boron isn't boring at all!
Of the 10 elements discovered or first isolated here at the Ri, one has a bit of an image problem. @helenarney.bsky.social wrote a great song to remind us that boron isn't boring at all!
Reposted by Royal Institution
🆕 Blog! PhD student Joshua Horton reflects on his internship at science communication charity @rigb.org and exploring different career options outside of academic research ⤵️
buff.ly/38lDgRH
buff.ly/38lDgRH
Science beyond the lab: a Science Communication Internship at the Royal Institution - Quadram Institute
“As I entered the third year of my PhD, I was feeling comfortable in the academic and laboratory research environments and had made good progress with my project; investigating previously…
quadram.ac.uk
February 6, 2026 at 9:30 AM
🆕 Blog! PhD student Joshua Horton reflects on his internship at science communication charity @rigb.org and exploring different career options outside of academic research ⤵️
buff.ly/38lDgRH
buff.ly/38lDgRH
Do you thrive under pressure? 🏋️ Felix Flicker shows us how materials such as quartz and certain ceramics generate an electrical charge when mechanically stressed.
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=H3wSaLSXdBM
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=H3wSaLSXdBM
February 7, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Do you thrive under pressure? 🏋️ Felix Flicker shows us how materials such as quartz and certain ceramics generate an electrical charge when mechanically stressed.
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=H3wSaLSXdBM
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=H3wSaLSXdBM
Ready to play? 🎮 Join WiFi Wars for their signature interactive mass-gaming extravaganza, featuring everything from classic TV game shows to retro video games.
You'll be first to see some of the brand new tech and games Rob and Steve have been working on!
You'll be first to see some of the brand new tech and games Rob and Steve have been working on!
WiFi Wars Debug XXI
WiFi Wars is back with their sell-out Debug show. Grab a phone and join in the interactive fun.
www.rigb.org
February 6, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Ready to play? 🎮 Join WiFi Wars for their signature interactive mass-gaming extravaganza, featuring everything from classic TV game shows to retro video games.
You'll be first to see some of the brand new tech and games Rob and Steve have been working on!
You'll be first to see some of the brand new tech and games Rob and Steve have been working on!
The Vespa wasn’t designed by a motorbike expert, but by an aircraft engineer. 🛩️
César Hidalgo tells the story of how aviation engineers around the world turned to scooters and motorcycles—revealing the hidden geography of knowledge itself.
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=q_Hm5Zx-jew
César Hidalgo tells the story of how aviation engineers around the world turned to scooters and motorcycles—revealing the hidden geography of knowledge itself.
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=q_Hm5Zx-jew
February 5, 2026 at 2:18 PM
The Vespa wasn’t designed by a motorbike expert, but by an aircraft engineer. 🛩️
César Hidalgo tells the story of how aviation engineers around the world turned to scooters and motorcycles—revealing the hidden geography of knowledge itself.
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=q_Hm5Zx-jew
César Hidalgo tells the story of how aviation engineers around the world turned to scooters and motorcycles—revealing the hidden geography of knowledge itself.
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=q_Hm5Zx-jew
Galileo’s telescope provided crucial evidence for the heliocentric model, placing the Sun at the centre with the planets orbiting it. 🔭
See this demo in action in the 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI. Find out where to watch: www.rigb.org/explore-scie...
See this demo in action in the 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI. Find out where to watch: www.rigb.org/explore-scie...
February 3, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Galileo’s telescope provided crucial evidence for the heliocentric model, placing the Sun at the centre with the planets orbiting it. 🔭
See this demo in action in the 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI. Find out where to watch: www.rigb.org/explore-scie...
See this demo in action in the 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI. Find out where to watch: www.rigb.org/explore-scie...
When you've got a building full of space experts and science communicators, it's impossible not to discuss what's the best space-themed film 🍿 Did we miss any good ones?
Watch the 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI, on demand: www.rigb.org/explore-scie...
Watch the 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI, on demand: www.rigb.org/explore-scie...
February 1, 2026 at 6:46 PM
When you've got a building full of space experts and science communicators, it's impossible not to discuss what's the best space-themed film 🍿 Did we miss any good ones?
Watch the 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI, on demand: www.rigb.org/explore-scie...
Watch the 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI, on demand: www.rigb.org/explore-scie...
A lesson from WWII planes reveals how to spot what really matters. Applied to genetics, it shows which parts of our genome were critical to evolution. 🧬
Watch the 2018 Christmas Lectures with Aoife McLysaght and Alice Roberts: rigb.org/explore-science/explore/video/who-am-i-where-do-i-come-2018
Watch the 2018 Christmas Lectures with Aoife McLysaght and Alice Roberts: rigb.org/explore-science/explore/video/who-am-i-where-do-i-come-2018
January 31, 2026 at 2:58 PM
A lesson from WWII planes reveals how to spot what really matters. Applied to genetics, it shows which parts of our genome were critical to evolution. 🧬
Watch the 2018 Christmas Lectures with Aoife McLysaght and Alice Roberts: rigb.org/explore-science/explore/video/who-am-i-where-do-i-come-2018
Watch the 2018 Christmas Lectures with Aoife McLysaght and Alice Roberts: rigb.org/explore-science/explore/video/who-am-i-where-do-i-come-2018
In just a century, human intelligence has measurably changed. Not because our genes have—but because our world has. 🧠
Cognitive scientist Daniel Dennett explained how the Flynn effect reveals that culture reshapes the human mind.
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=TTFoJQSd48c
Cognitive scientist Daniel Dennett explained how the Flynn effect reveals that culture reshapes the human mind.
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=TTFoJQSd48c
January 30, 2026 at 7:21 PM
In just a century, human intelligence has measurably changed. Not because our genes have—but because our world has. 🧠
Cognitive scientist Daniel Dennett explained how the Flynn effect reveals that culture reshapes the human mind.
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=TTFoJQSd48c
Cognitive scientist Daniel Dennett explained how the Flynn effect reveals that culture reshapes the human mind.
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=TTFoJQSd48c
Prime numbers (divisible only by 1 and themselves) show up not just in maths but in art and creative writing too. ✍️
Marcus du Sautoy explains the poetic maths of Shakespeare.
Watch the full talk: youtu.be/thc2bWGNY2k
Marcus du Sautoy explains the poetic maths of Shakespeare.
Watch the full talk: youtu.be/thc2bWGNY2k
January 29, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Prime numbers (divisible only by 1 and themselves) show up not just in maths but in art and creative writing too. ✍️
Marcus du Sautoy explains the poetic maths of Shakespeare.
Watch the full talk: youtu.be/thc2bWGNY2k
Marcus du Sautoy explains the poetic maths of Shakespeare.
Watch the full talk: youtu.be/thc2bWGNY2k
Fantastic news: our historic lecture Theatre is set for a major refurbishment later this year, thanks to support from The Wolfson Foundation!
The works will include new seats, restoration of the iconic lecture desk, state-of-the-art audio-visual infrastructure and accessibility enhancements.
The works will include new seats, restoration of the iconic lecture desk, state-of-the-art audio-visual infrastructure and accessibility enhancements.
January 28, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Fantastic news: our historic lecture Theatre is set for a major refurbishment later this year, thanks to support from The Wolfson Foundation!
The works will include new seats, restoration of the iconic lecture desk, state-of-the-art audio-visual infrastructure and accessibility enhancements.
The works will include new seats, restoration of the iconic lecture desk, state-of-the-art audio-visual infrastructure and accessibility enhancements.
Aaand we're back!🔥 After kicking off 2026 by taking care of our historical home, our building is open for visitors again.
You can now visit our free Museum and join us for science talks!
Plan your visit: rigb.org/visit
You can now visit our free Museum and join us for science talks!
Plan your visit: rigb.org/visit
January 26, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Aaand we're back!🔥 After kicking off 2026 by taking care of our historical home, our building is open for visitors again.
You can now visit our free Museum and join us for science talks!
Plan your visit: rigb.org/visit
You can now visit our free Museum and join us for science talks!
Plan your visit: rigb.org/visit
In their 200-year-old history, the Christmas Lectures have always been about innovation.
Xavier Meyer, from our supporting partner Aberdeen Investments, celebrates the tradition born of Michael Faraday's vision.
Xavier Meyer, from our supporting partner Aberdeen Investments, celebrates the tradition born of Michael Faraday's vision.
Aberdeen Investments celebrates the Ri Christmas tradition of innovation
Xavier Meyer, CEO of our Christmas Lectures supporting partner Aberdeen Investments, celebrates the festive tradition born of
www.rigb.org
January 24, 2026 at 1:11 PM
In their 200-year-old history, the Christmas Lectures have always been about innovation.
Xavier Meyer, from our supporting partner Aberdeen Investments, celebrates the tradition born of Michael Faraday's vision.
Xavier Meyer, from our supporting partner Aberdeen Investments, celebrates the tradition born of Michael Faraday's vision.
We couldn't let World Handwriting Day go by without sharing Kathleen Lonsdale's penmanship ✍️
Lonsdale conducted pioneering research in X-ray crystallography and worked at the Ri. In 1929, she proved that the structure of benzene was flat—the chemical was also discovered here, by Michael Faraday.
Lonsdale conducted pioneering research in X-ray crystallography and worked at the Ri. In 1929, she proved that the structure of benzene was flat—the chemical was also discovered here, by Michael Faraday.
January 23, 2026 at 1:45 PM
We couldn't let World Handwriting Day go by without sharing Kathleen Lonsdale's penmanship ✍️
Lonsdale conducted pioneering research in X-ray crystallography and worked at the Ri. In 1929, she proved that the structure of benzene was flat—the chemical was also discovered here, by Michael Faraday.
Lonsdale conducted pioneering research in X-ray crystallography and worked at the Ri. In 1929, she proved that the structure of benzene was flat—the chemical was also discovered here, by Michael Faraday.
What tunes do you think we should send out there into the Universe? 👽
We asked people behind the scenes of the 2025 Christmas Lectures (supported by CGI) which song they would put on a new Voyager golden record.
Watch the lectures on demand: www.rigb.org/explore-scie...
We asked people behind the scenes of the 2025 Christmas Lectures (supported by CGI) which song they would put on a new Voyager golden record.
Watch the lectures on demand: www.rigb.org/explore-scie...
January 22, 2026 at 5:06 PM
What tunes do you think we should send out there into the Universe? 👽
We asked people behind the scenes of the 2025 Christmas Lectures (supported by CGI) which song they would put on a new Voyager golden record.
Watch the lectures on demand: www.rigb.org/explore-scie...
We asked people behind the scenes of the 2025 Christmas Lectures (supported by CGI) which song they would put on a new Voyager golden record.
Watch the lectures on demand: www.rigb.org/explore-scie...
Mathematics is inspiring new advances in healthcare 🚑
Join Professor of Healthcare Engineering, Becky Shipley, as she shows how mathematical problem-solving is improving diagnosis, treatment and patient experience. www.rigb.org/whats-on/dis...
Join Professor of Healthcare Engineering, Becky Shipley, as she shows how mathematical problem-solving is improving diagnosis, treatment and patient experience. www.rigb.org/whats-on/dis...
January 22, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Mathematics is inspiring new advances in healthcare 🚑
Join Professor of Healthcare Engineering, Becky Shipley, as she shows how mathematical problem-solving is improving diagnosis, treatment and patient experience. www.rigb.org/whats-on/dis...
Join Professor of Healthcare Engineering, Becky Shipley, as she shows how mathematical problem-solving is improving diagnosis, treatment and patient experience. www.rigb.org/whats-on/dis...
Nitrogen triiodide is a highly unstable substance that detonates when disturbed. So, of course, we disturbed it. 💥🧪
January 22, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Nitrogen triiodide is a highly unstable substance that detonates when disturbed. So, of course, we disturbed it. 💥🧪
Great discoveries don’t arrive fully formed. They emerge from simple experiments—and minds ready to notice what others might miss ⚡
David Ricketts traces history, from Volta to Ørsted and Ampère, following the connection between electricity and magnetism.
Full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=z1uOsg2-LTA
David Ricketts traces history, from Volta to Ørsted and Ampère, following the connection between electricity and magnetism.
Full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=z1uOsg2-LTA
January 20, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Great discoveries don’t arrive fully formed. They emerge from simple experiments—and minds ready to notice what others might miss ⚡
David Ricketts traces history, from Volta to Ørsted and Ampère, following the connection between electricity and magnetism.
Full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=z1uOsg2-LTA
David Ricketts traces history, from Volta to Ørsted and Ampère, following the connection between electricity and magnetism.
Full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=z1uOsg2-LTA
The results of the first Public Attitudes to Science Survey since the pandemic were published today 👇 www.rigb.org/explore-scie...
Public Attitudes to Science survey highlights golden opportunity to bring scientists and the public together
Read about the latest Public Attitudes to Science survey.
www.rigb.org
January 20, 2026 at 10:28 AM
The results of the first Public Attitudes to Science Survey since the pandemic were published today 👇 www.rigb.org/explore-scie...
What looks like one substance rarely is. 🔍 Baljit Thatti shares how chromatography reveals the hidden components inside everyday materials, helping forensic scientists separate the truth from the mix.
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=QW3c4aNXKAE
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=QW3c4aNXKAE
January 19, 2026 at 4:11 PM
What looks like one substance rarely is. 🔍 Baljit Thatti shares how chromatography reveals the hidden components inside everyday materials, helping forensic scientists separate the truth from the mix.
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=QW3c4aNXKAE
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=QW3c4aNXKAE
What happens when matter sits between solid and liquid? Physicist Rachel Edwards explains the science of liquid crystals and switchable privacy windows.
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=g3MAx1TDEGg
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=g3MAx1TDEGg
January 17, 2026 at 1:12 PM
What happens when matter sits between solid and liquid? Physicist Rachel Edwards explains the science of liquid crystals and switchable privacy windows.
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=g3MAx1TDEGg
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=g3MAx1TDEGg
Have you ever noticed a cloud that looked like a familiar object? ☁️ This is a psychological phenomenon called pareidolia.
Anomalistic psychology expert Chris French explains how it's related to how our brains perceive the world around us.
Watch the full talk here: youtube.com/watch?v=i8mjM3PB_Tk
Anomalistic psychology expert Chris French explains how it's related to how our brains perceive the world around us.
Watch the full talk here: youtube.com/watch?v=i8mjM3PB_Tk
January 16, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Have you ever noticed a cloud that looked like a familiar object? ☁️ This is a psychological phenomenon called pareidolia.
Anomalistic psychology expert Chris French explains how it's related to how our brains perceive the world around us.
Watch the full talk here: youtube.com/watch?v=i8mjM3PB_Tk
Anomalistic psychology expert Chris French explains how it's related to how our brains perceive the world around us.
Watch the full talk here: youtube.com/watch?v=i8mjM3PB_Tk
When you light a candle, it’s the vaporised wax that burns, not the solid or liquid wax 🕯️️
This demo inspired by Faraday's 1848 lecture series "The Chemical History of a Candle" shows how a simple burning candle is a treasure trove of chemistry.
Watch the full lecture here: youtu.be/cqTPYoye2J8
This demo inspired by Faraday's 1848 lecture series "The Chemical History of a Candle" shows how a simple burning candle is a treasure trove of chemistry.
Watch the full lecture here: youtu.be/cqTPYoye2J8
January 14, 2026 at 6:55 PM
When you light a candle, it’s the vaporised wax that burns, not the solid or liquid wax 🕯️️
This demo inspired by Faraday's 1848 lecture series "The Chemical History of a Candle" shows how a simple burning candle is a treasure trove of chemistry.
Watch the full lecture here: youtu.be/cqTPYoye2J8
This demo inspired by Faraday's 1848 lecture series "The Chemical History of a Candle" shows how a simple burning candle is a treasure trove of chemistry.
Watch the full lecture here: youtu.be/cqTPYoye2J8