A POPULAR Malvern science event is taking place remotely next week.

The Malvern Festival of Innovation returns between October 5 and 10.

Celebrating local innovators and scientists, there are a range of events and activities to be enjoyed remotely.

Kicking off the week will be Andy Stanford-Clark, chief technology officer at IBM UK and Ireland, whose online talk will cover the recently launched Mayflower Autonomous Ship, explaining how artificial intelligence and a number of other advanced technologies are taking to the high seas.

The Next Generation Innovators schools’ event will be a series of contributors participating from around the country.

This will include laboratory scientists and engineers giving a behind-the-scenes tour of their facilities and providing a unique insight into STEM careers and tech innovation.

School classes can register to watch live and ask questions to each of the speakers.

The popular Start-up Stories evening on Wednesday, October 7, will feature insights from entrepreneurs including Chris Pinder from Malvern’s HD ANYWHERE and Nicky Godding, founding editor in chief of the region’s Business and Innovation Magazine.

This Family Show on Saturday morning will feature neuroscientist Professor Gina Rippon and author of ‘The Gendered Brain’ speaking about whether there are differences between male and female brains.

This will be followed by the National Physical Laboratory’s outreach manager Andrew Hanson MBE explaining the fascinating science of colour, of which there is more than meets the eye.

Dr Adrian Burden, Founder of Malvern Festival of Innovation, said: “Until recently, we were hopeful we could stage some of the events live in our local venues with all the necessary precautions in place.

"But with the recent changes to legislation and the growing number of cases, we will stream the events live using Zoom and Facebook.

"We are looking forward to going virtual and we encourage questions from the audience to increase interactivity during the week.”

Cllr Sarah Rouse, leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said: “Malvern has a rich history of science, invention and creativity and the Festival of Innovation is a great way of continuing this tradition.

"There are many fascinating guest speakers signed up to this year’s event which I’m sure will inspire people of all ages”.