Get to know our Norwich Science Festival Patrons

We can't wait to welcome you back to Norwich Science Festival for our eleventh year!

From Saturday 13–Saturday 20 February, we’re inviting you to take a closer look at the connections that shapes our lives, and the world around us, with our 2027 theme: Reconnect.

From our brains and bodies to the natural world, next year’s Festival will explore what it means to be human, with eight days of science shows, talks, workshops and free activities across the city.

And who better to help us do all that than our brilliant Festival Patrons? We couldn’t resist sharing a sneak peek at some of the events they’ll be bringing to Norwich Science Festival 2027.

Meet our Festival Patrons

Professor Ben Garrod

If there's one thing Ben loves, it's getting people excited about the natural world - and he's been doing just that at Norwich Science Festival for over ten years! Ben is an evolutionary biologist at the University of East Anglia, where he is also Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Civic).

He's an award-winning TV and radio broadcaster and has written more than 20 books for science enthusiasts. Ben has lived and worked around the world, but now calls Norfolk home, where he spends plenty of time making sure his dog Jack is happy!

Dr Jess French

Another long-standing supporter of the Festival, Jess is a zoologist, vet, presenter and hugely popular children's author. Known for her work on CBeebies, she's written eight books for DK, including The Book of Brilliant Bugs, Earth's Incredible Oceans and The Animal Body Book.

Caring for animals and the natural world is at the heart of everything Jess does, inspiring audiences of all ages to discover more about wildlife and fall in love with nature.

Don't miss Ben and Jess on stage! The pair are back with not one, but two of our most-popular Festival events! After a break last year, the Live Animal Dissection is officially back for 2027. Catch this fascinating event in person at the University of East Anglia or watch the livestream from The Forum on Saturday 20 February.

Plus, get ready for another round of Animal Top Trumps on Saturday 13 February, as these science frenemies (their words, not ours!) go head-to-head in an epic battle of the animal kingdom. Expect plenty of fun, lively competition and surprising animal facts for the whole family.


Maddie Moate

BAFTA-winning presenter, author and YouTube star Maddie became a Festival Patron in 2026, and we're thrilled to have her support again in 2027. Best known for her CBeebies series Maddie's Do You Know?, she's been inspiring young audiences to ask questions and see the world differently for over a decade.

Maddie will be taking to the Norwich Theatre Playhouse stage on Sunday 14 February with her brand-new live show, The Curiosity Games! A great one for families, the show is a brilliant mix of quizzes, challenges and some unexpected surprises...

Mark Thompson

Mark is a celebrated science broadcaster and author with an infectious passion for the night sky! He's inspired thousands of our Festival visitors to explore the wonders of the universe, and we're delighted to welcome him back with two shows in 2027.

Catch Mark Thompson's Space: The Ultimate Adventure here at The Forum on Monday 15 February, plus his explosive Spectacular Science Show at Norwich Theatre Playhouse on Friday 19 February.

Jon Chase

Jon is an award-winning science communicator, author and rapper based in Cardiff. He's spent more than 15 years delivering science shows and events across the UK and Europe, as well as presenting on television and YouTube.

Jon is best known for his science raps, which he has produced for organisations including NASA and the BBC, as well as performing here at Norwich Science Festival! He'll be back for 2027, inspiring the next generation to explore the universe, one beat at a time, with free performances on The Atom Stage on Saturday 13 February.

Early release events are on sale now!

Fancy seeing our Patrons in action? Tickets for their events go on sale alongside the full Norwich Science Festival 2027 programme on Thursday 26 November 2026.

In the meantime, there's plenty to explore and book! Our early release events have been co-programmed with our brilliant partners Norwich Theatre and National Centre for Writing. Hear from Britain's first astronaut, Helen Sharman, as she shares her insights on the future of spaceflight. Bring your favourite teddy along for a STEMM adventure with author Isabel Thomas, or embark on a puppetry adventure to save a planet.

To be the first to hear about new events and line-up announcements, sign up to our monthly e-newsletter.

We can’t wait to reconnect with you in February!