Meet our new Festival Producer, Hannah Linsdell

Meet Hannah Linsdell, our new Senior Programmes Manager and Norwich Science Festival Producer! Hannah joins The Forum with a wealth of experience and a long-standing connection to the Festival, having previously worked with our Principal Partner, the University of East Anglia (UEA). Now, she’s taking the reins of the Festival programme and getting stuck into exciting plans for Norwich Science Festival 2027.

We caught up with Hannah to find out more about her new role, what she loves most about science and public engagement, and get a sneak peek at what's in store for 2027.

Hi Hannah!

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your new role at The Forum?
Hi! As Producer I look after Norwich Science Festival’s programme of events and activities, our partnerships, and all the brilliant people who make NSF what it is - our volunteers, artists, speakers and so many more. I’m lucky to do all of that with the help of the out-of-this-world festival team: Charlotte, Sam J, Danie, Sam H and Alina. 


What first sparked your interest in science and public engagement? 
I’ve lived in Norfolk all my life and have fond memories of sitting in the floating hide at Ranworth as a child, taking part in craft activities to create little scenes of the Broads out of reeds and leaves. The crumbly pictures didn’t last very long on the kitchen wall at home, but being sat alongside passionate and knowledgeable volunteers, getting messy and learning more about the environment around me definitely sparked something! 

What makes Norwich a great city for a science festival? 
This is such a nice question, because it’s such an easy answer: the people! 

It’s the scientists, researchers, students, artists, volunteers, organisations, schools, businesses and venues that make Norwich Science Festival what it is. Not to mention the incredible visitors who come through the doors of The Forum, or head out to events across the city and county. There’s such a brilliant mix of people, ideas and curiosity here. 

What are you most excited about in your new role as Producer of Norwich Science Festival? 
Norwich Science Festival celebrated its tenth year this February, and I’m really excited to help take it into its next chapter, full of even more wonder, fun and inspiration. Norwich Science Festival is a celebration of science, creativity and curiosity... and I love a good party!

What makes an open-access Festival like Norwich Science Festival so important? 
Science is for everyone, and at the heart of NSF is bringing STEMM to communities across Norwich and Norfolk and helping to break down barriers to access.  

Whether you’re a lifelong science fan, a family looking for something fun to do in the February Half Term, or someone who’s never thought of themselves as a ‘science person’, there should be something at NSF that makes you think “Ooh, I want to know more about that!” 


If you could invite any scientist, past or present, to NSF, who would it be and why? 
It would have to be Katherine Johnson – a mathematician whose calculations helped put the first Americans into space, while breaking racial and gender barriers as a Black woman in science. She joined NACA (NASA’s predecessor) in the 1950s and was one of the ‘human computers’ to calculate the flight paths for the Apollo 11 moon landing mission in 1969. 


Can you give us a sense of what our wonderful audiences can expect from NSF27?
There’s no right way to do Norwich Science Festival – and that’s the fun of it! Across the eight days you could come along to an academic talk, watch science theatrically brought to life on stage, bring your toddler along to a playful session, get involved in our inclusive SEND programme, or roll up your sleeves and get messy in the Explorium with our brilliant activity stands. There’ll be plenty to get stuck into, in every sense! 

The theme for 2027 is Reconnect. What does that mean to you, and how will it come to life across the Festival? 
For me ‘reconnecting’ is about slowing down enough to notice what’s around us... reconnecting with nature, other people, and the things that make us curious.  

I’m really excited to see how that comes to life across the Festival. Whether you’re getting outside and reconnecting with nature, exploring how our brains and bodies work, putting down your phone and making something with your hands, or simply spending time with people we love, there’ll be lots of different ways to find your own version of ‘reconnecting’. 

Without giving too much away, is there anything you're especially excited to bring to the 2027 programme? 
I’m really excited about the mix we’ll be bringing to the programme. We live in a world where AI and technology are right at our fingertips, and I love that we’ll be encouraging visitors to getting their hands dirty with lots of hands-on, tangible activities: making, growing, experimenting and exploring.

At the same time, we’ll be looking ahead at new technologies and asking some big questions about the future. I think that’s the joy of our theme Reconnect - looking forward, while remembering the things that make us human. I can’t wait to see where it takes us! 


Finally, what would you say to someone who has never been to the Festival before?
Come and give it a go! You don’t need to be a scientist, and you definitely don’t need to know your quantum physics from your quantum mechanics, or your Oak tree from your Ash tree. Whether you’re 2 or 102, coming with the family, meeting friends, or just fancying trying something new. However you come, we can’t wait to welcome you! 

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