New Latitude arena puts spotlight on science
Latitude is launching an exciting, new science arena for the 2025 festival.
The Cosmic Shambles Forest of Science and Culture is a bold new space at the heart of Henham Park, curated by the award-winning, independent team at The Cosmic Shambles Network.
The group, created in 2016 by comedian, author and broadcaster, Robin Ince, in partnership with director and producer, Trent Burton, describes themselves as “Indie creators of content for the curious”. Their platforms include a website, podcasts, films and events, and they aim to provide a place where creativity and curiosity take centre stage, teaming up with some of the biggest names in science and entertainment to dive into a universe of interesting things - always in a fun and accessible way.
Now, drawing on 19 years of curating individual shows at Latitude, the Cosmic Shambles Forest will continue that work as part science festival, part book club, part comedy club, part music gig, part interactive museum.
At the heart of the space will be ‘The Apollo’, a dedicated stage that will play host to a rich programme of live talks, podcasts, music, panels, performances, late-night screenings and more.
Expect everything from space dog puppets to Q&A panels with respected scientists; science wrapped in an entertaining, informative and comedic performance style.
Trent Burton. Photo: ALICE DEGRASSI
Producer, Trent Burton, says: “Our overall aim is just to make science part of normal culture. It shouldn't be this elitist thing, so, we're bringing it into normal life and, in this case, a forest.
“We've got ocean science, we've got climate, we've got astrophysics, we've got particle physics, nanochemists, science fiction, science history, geology, biology - you name it, it will get touched on.
“I'm not a scientist but I'm interested in interesting things, and everything's interesting if you bother to look,” he adds smiling.
The panel discussions will also feature a Q&A at the end so audience members can ask any burning questions, while, beyond the stage, there'll be ‘Science Sheds’ by different museums dotted around the park where people can get hands-on with a telescope, solar power and other technology.
Dr Suze Khudi, a nanochemist and Trustee of the Royal Institution, and regular contributor to Cosmic Shambles, will be hosting some of the sessions at the festival.
She says: “The way that the Cosmic Shambles Network increases public engagement with researchers and science, is to get real people and bring them to places like this, and then connect through things like comedy and interviews and panel discussions and film screenings of documentaries that they've made.
“Hopefully everybody will then find a bit of science that interests them and is relevant to their lives, because ultimately science is all around us.”
Latitude Festival is at Henham Park on 24-27 July 2025.
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