Europe’s top laboratories burn midnight oil for curious visitors

More than 80 academics at Sheffield University will take part in “researchers’ night” next Friday as colleges from Iceland to Israel and from Finland to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia invite visitors in.

At Sheffield, people will be able to take part in night-time science experiments, archaeological digs and astronomy lectures.

“Science buskers” will mingle with guests, showing people quick hands-on demonstrations such as how to turn Marmite white, or how to extract the DNA from a strawberry. Pop-in lectures will also take place, where visitors can “ask an astronomer”, find out why life is constantly arriving on earth from outer space or how to catch an elusive neutrino particle.

As part of the event, the little known Alfred Denny Museum will also open its doors for the first time in four decades.

Visitors to the museum will also get to see secret artefacts, including the rare, enormous skull of an extinct man-sized eagle – never before seen by the public in the UK.

At the Jessop West building, Dr Jane Hodson will help people learn all about Sheffield dialect.

Visitors will also be able to find out if they have criminal ancestors and learn about the history of hanging with Professor Bob Shoemaker as he opens up the Old Bailey records online.

Dr Milton Wainwrightwill give a talk on the first documented use of penicillin, which took place in Sheffield and saved several babies from blindness.

Researchers’ Night will also form part of the university’s Festival of the Mind taking place over 11 days in the city as academics and people from the creative industries in Sheffield join forces.

The event has been developed by Prof Vanessa Toulmin, head of cultural engagement at Sheffield University, showman sculptor Anthony Bennett.