Techniquest
ASDC26: 14th -15th October 2026 at Techniquest, Cardiff Bay, Wales
The ASDC national conference is the UK’s leading gathering for everyone who is passionate about inspiring curiosity, creativity and critical thinking through science and discovery. Each year we bring together hundreds of science engagement professionals to explore bold ideas, share best practice and build powerful connections.
For two days, the UK’s science and discovery centre community come together under one roof, and for the first time we’ll be in Wales at Techniquest in Cardiff, this year celebrating its 40th anniversary!
Founded in 1986, Techniquest is the UK’s longest-established purpose-built science discovery centre. Originating in Cardiff city centre, the centre then moved to Cardiff Bay the following year, and Techniquest became the country’s first science centre of its kind in 1995. The building was formerly a heavy engineering plant, and Paul Koralek of ABK Architects designed Techniquest around the framework of the original building. In 1999 its exhibits were awarded ‘Millennium Product’ status by the Design Council of the UK because of their excellence.
This energising and vibrant conference is a chance to shape the future of STEM education and outreach, build new partnerships across sectors, and showcase how science and discovery centres, museums and outreach organisations drive social impact on a national scale. Alongside ASDC members, we welcome STEM education specialists, public engagement professionals, researchers, industry leaders, cultural organisations, funders and innovators to join the conversation, focusing on this year's theme - Who cares about science?
Keynote speakers
We’re happy to announce three keynote speakers who will each bring a very different perspective on this year’s theme.
The conference opens with Professor Dame Angela McLean, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, exploring Who cares about science? and the future for science in the UK.
On day two, Professor Anu Ojha OBE, UK Space Agency’s first Space Chief Technology Officer, takes on Who cares about space? He will discuss how space science, research and innovation align with deeply held cares, concerns and public attitudes, and the essential role our sector plays at the heart of these conversations.
Our final keynote of the conference will come from Dr Gosia Gocłowska, Senior Lecturer in Social Psychology at the University of Bath. She will explore how people feel about science, looking at epistemic emotions and the relationship between emotions and attitudes towards science.
Buy your tickets
We look forward to welcoming people from across the science communication network to our conference. If you’re a STEM education specialist, researcher, industry leader, funder, innovator, or someone else who is passionate about public engagement with science, join us!
Thanks to our generous sponsors there are a number of bursaries available for those who would like to attend but need financial support to do so. Although bursaries are limited and competitive, we encourage anyone who is in need of one to apply.
Exhibit at ASDC26
Exhibiting at the ASDC Conference 2026 puts you right at the centre of the conversation about STEM learning, inclusion, sustainability, research and innovation. Exhibitors typically include exhibition and experience designers, digital and technology innovators, and learning and engagement specialists working across informal STEM education. Delegates are also keen to meet with visitor experience, retail and operational providers, media and content platforms who bring fresh thinking and new cost-effective ways of working. We also welcome architects, capital project and infrastructure partners looking to work with science centres and museums, with a particular focus on sustainability and designing for the circular economy.
The conference is sponsored by Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), with support from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Techniquest and award sponsors The Marsh Charitable Trust.
Delegates from the 2025 Conference at The National Science and Media Museum shared their biggest takeaways from the event:
“The conference is always energising and gives me hope that it's not just us facing the struggles that we're facing - and that other centres also have the same priorities and are striving for the same goals we are.”
“Creating legacy from engagement work is essential if as a sector we are to achieve long term benefits.”
Delegates from the 2024 Conference at The Royal Society shared their biggest takeaways from the event:
“The power of Science and Discovery Centres to touch lives in a deep, emotional way.”
“...ASDC is thriving and necessary. That the work of everyone attending the conference makes a difference. That work is actually being done that might change academic research culture.”