Meet our 2026 Festival Patrons

We can’t wait to welcome you back to Norwich Science Festival. The countdown is officially on as we get set for our return 14-21 February 2026 - and it’s a special one, as we’ll be celebrating our 10-year anniversary! 

Across eight incredible days, you’ll get to explore bold ideas for a greener, fairer future with our 2026 theme: Your World, Reimagined. From the power of the human heart to the future of space travel and sustainable living, next year’s Festival will shine a spotlight on science that empowers change. 

We won’t keep you waiting much longer to see the full line-up for 2026. Get ready for laugh-out-loud comedy, thought-provoking talks, explosive family shows and interactive workshops for kids. There really is something for everyone! 

Say hello to our Festival Patrons 

We’re thrilled to introduce our brilliant 2026 Festival Patrons! Each of them embodies what Norwich Science Festival is all about - curiosity, creativity and a shared passion for bringing science to life.  

For 2026, we’re welcoming back some familiar Festival faces as Patrons, including the wonderful Professor Ben Garrod, Jon Chase and Dr Jess French, alongside brand-new Patron Maddie Moate!  

And who knows, you might even spot some of them at next year’s Festival... 

Ben Garrod 

Ben is an author, award-winning broadcaster and Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Science Engagement at the University of East Anglia, here in Norwich. His lifelong curiosity about the natural world has taken him across continents – protecting chimpanzees in Africa, tracking polar bears in the Arctic and helping uncover the largest dinosaur ever found in South America. 

Ben has fronted TV and radio series including Attenborough and the Mammoth Graveyard, The Day the Dinosaurs Died and Baby Chimp Rescue, and has written over 20 books, including the beloved Jack-Jack series inspired by his real-life canine companion. 

We’re so grateful for Ben’s long-standing support as a Festival Patron and for sharing his passion for animals, biology and conservation with our audiences year after year! 

Maddie Moate 

We’re delighted to welcome Maddie as a brand-new patron for 2026! A BAFTA-winning presenter, author and content creator, Maddie’s hugely popular YouTube channel is packed with fun, family-friendly science adventures that have taken her all over the world.  

Best known for her CBeebies series Maddie’s Do You Know?, she has been inspiring young audiences to ask questions and see the world differently for over a decade. Maddie has joined us at Norwich Science Festival several times - including our very first Festival back in 2016 - and we couldn’t be happier to officially welcome her as a Patron for our 10th anniversary celebration! 

Jon Chase 

Jon is a science communicator, author and rapper who firmly believes science should be for everyone.

He’s presented for BBC Learning, co-authored The Science of Star Wars, The Science of Harry Potter and The Science of Jurassic World, and is best known for his science raps created for NASA and the BBC. 

After taking Norwich Science Festival audiences on a science rapper’s guide to the solar system in 2025, we’re thrilled to have Jon back as a Patron for 2026 - inspiring the next generation to explore the universe, one beat at a time. 

Jess French 

A familiar face at the Festival, Jess is a zoologist, vet, presenter and hugely popular children’s author. Caring for animals and the natural world is at the heart of everything she does, inspiring audiences to fall in love with nature. 

Jess has been an integral part of Norwich Science Festival since the beginning, sharing her passion for animals and biology both at the main Festival and through our community project, Science On Your Doorstep. We’re proud to have her as a Patron!  

Mark Thompson 

Mark is a celebrated science broadcaster and author with an infectious passion for the night sky. He has presented on The One Show and BBC Stargazing Live and is renowned for making science accessible through TV, radio, podcasts, theatre and his books!  

A long-standing Patron of Norwich Science Festival, Mark has inspired thousands of visitors to explore the wonders of the universe. Thank you Mark for your continued support! 

If you’re as excited as we are for Norwich Science Festival 2026, why not sign up to our monthly e-newsletter and be the first to hear about next year's programme, ticket releases, and all the latest Festival news!