blog

Once upon a time, I hated the very thought of living in London. since moving here, that attitude has changed completely. It’s not hard to see why: at some point, it seems, just about everyone and everything comes to this great city, either just passing through or to stay. 

Then of course there are the things, the organizations and institutions that are part of the very fabric of London. One of these is the Royal Society, constituted in 1660 and one of the oldest learned societies in the world. 

There are many great things about the Royal Society, and membership–the coveted letters ‘FRS’–is an immense honour. But while the RS is about science, it’s not just about scientists. 

For 150 the RS has held an annual event, showcasing the new, the wonderful and the plain weird of science. Originally just for Fellows, thirty years ago they were opened to the public, and the ‘Summer of Science’ exhibitions are a popular addition to the London calendar. 

Last year, to celebrate 350 years, the Royal Society teamed up with the Southbank Centre to stage a ten day festival on the south bank of the Thames. 

This year, the Summer Science Exhibition is back home at the Royal Society’s buildings on Carlton House Terrace.   It runs until Sunday, and we’ll be reporting on some of the exhibits over at The Scientist. If you’re in or around London this week, and have even a passing interest in science or medicine, it is well worth spending an afternoon wandering around.