Celebrating the 67th London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF)

As we mark the 67th year of the London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF), we are happy to welcome students aged 16-21 from across the world who are driven by scientific curiosity and have a shared desire to use science and STEM to benefit humankind.

Scheduled from 19th July to Saturday 1st August, held at Imperial College London, LIYSF has been bringing together bright minds from across the globe for the past several decades to engage with contemporary scientific ideas in a structured, intellectually rigorous environment.  At a time when global challenges demand informed thinking and collaboration, LIYSF 2026 offers exposure to research, expert-led discussion, and cross-cultural exchange.

If you are a student looking to explore STEM summer schools in the UK, LIYSF offers a unique scientific experience at a global level, provides opportunities for personal development, and offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand your professional network beyond borders that lasts a lifetime.

From Vision to Global Platform: The History of LIYSF

LIYSF was founded in 1959 in the aftermath of the Second World War to educate young people from across the globe about science for the benefit of mankind. The organisation was set up with the aim of fostering understanding, cooperation, and progress by encouraging cross-border dialogue at an early stage of scientific development.

Since its inception, LIYSF has given opportunities to over 25,500 students from 90 countries, which makes it one of the longest-running international student science forums.  LIYSF is not a contest; it's a place where people can share, discuss, and improve their ideas in a welcoming setting.

The forum's core values are still diversity and representation. More than half of the people who take part in LIYSF are women. Students come from a wide range of cultural, geographic, and financial backgrounds, and there is an active scholarship program to help them.

This diversity makes conversations more interesting and ensures that science is looked at from many different angles.

What Makes LIYSF Unique Among STEM Summer Schools in the UK?

LIYSF stands out from other STEM summer schools in the UK by offering a complete experience that goes far beyond classroom learning, combining academic excellence with real-world exposure and global connection.

1. World-Class Academic Programme

LIYSF delivers a structured learning experience led by respected scientists and researchers at the top of their fields. Lectures and demonstrations are designed to be engaging, accessible, and rooted in cutting-edge scientific discovery.

2. Direct Access to Leading Scientists and Nobel Laureates

Participants have the rare opportunity to learn from and interact with Nobel Prize winners and internationally recognised academics. These encounters often inspire students, expand their ambitions, and provide real insight into what a career in science can look like.

3. First-Hand Experience of Research Environments

Through visits to laboratories, universities, and scientific organisations, students gain direct exposure to how science is carried out in professional settings. These experiences help connect classroom theory with real-world research and innovation.

4. Strong Cultural and Social Community

LIYSF places major emphasis on cultural exchange, allowing students to learn from one another as well as from the academic programme. Social events encourage inclusion, teamwork, and meaningful international friendships.

5. Lifelong Global Alumni Network

LIYSF participants become part of an active international alumni community that continues long after the programme ends. Many alumni return as mentors, staff, speakers, and advisors, helping strengthen and sustain the LIYSF community across generations.

The LIYSF 2026 Programme Overview

LIYSF is a 14-day STEM summer school held at Imperial College London and the Royal Geographical Society, offering an opportunity to learn advanced science concepts from world-leading scientists, including Nobel Prize Laureates. It is an immersive social and cultural programme where each day gives future innovators a chance to deep dive into the latest STEM innovations and a perfect balance between learning, exploration, and community building.

Key Dates

Sunday 19th July – Saturday 1st August 2026

From Day 1, students are immersed in a STEM-centric journey starting from arrival to farewell.

Opening Ceremony and Principal Lectures

The 14-day LIYSF programme starts on Monday, 20th July 2026, with an opening ceremony by Nobel Prize Winner Professor John O’Keefe and LIYSF President Professor Clare Elwell. The welcome session will officially commence the 67th London International Youth Science Forum.

This will be followed by the First Principal Lecture Demonstration in the afternoon under the guidance of Professor Ijeoma Florence Uchegbu.

Principal Lecture Demonstrations

Each day, future scientists attend one principal lecture demonstration. These principal lecture demonstrations form the backbone of LIYSF, with each lecture enlightening students with new scientific topics.

Each session is delivered by a subject matter expert in their respective disciplines. Besides academic enhancement, each session offers:

• Development of problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Exposure to real-world research before students start attending university
• Interaction with Nobel laureates and top scientists, and a chance to learn from them
• Examine the most recent advancements in STEM in depth.

The following experts will deliver the principal lectures for LIYSF 2026,  including:

• Professor Joy Hirsch
• Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu
• Professor Tolullah Oni
• Professor John Morton
• Dr Dimitrios Kanoulas
• Professor Brian Bigger
• Professor Clare Elwell
• Dr Jason Nurse
• Professor Freya Blekman

Together, these speakers will deliver and talk about broad STEM disciplines, giving students exposure to diverse academic interests and future career possibilities.

Specialist Lectures, Study Days, and Alumni Sessions

Beyond the main lecture programme, LIYSF also offers Specialist Lectures and Specialist Study Days, giving participants the chance to explore specific scientific themes in greater depth.

LIYSF students take part in four Specialist Lecture mornings starting from Tuesday, 21st July 2026. Each student can choose from a wide range of topics and personalise their programme around their individual interest in STEM topics. Each morning offers eight different sessions, featuring leading researchers speaking on diverse scientific themes.

These specialist lectures provide a closer learning experience, as the groups are much smaller than the Principal Lectures, typically around 50 participants. This creates an ideal setting for deeper discussion, more questions, and meaningful interaction with the speaker.

These focused sessions are highly valuable, giving students direct access to scientists and researchers, many of whom are actively involved in the research they present.

During the programme, LIYSF also organise the LIYSF Specialist Study Day, which dedicate one full day each year to its central theme. Students can choose from eight topic areas spanning a wide range of STEM disciplines, with selections made during the registration process.

On the day itself, all participants begin with a plenary session, where they are introduced to the speakers and the overall focus of the programme. Students then spend the rest of the day working closely with their chosen researcher or scientist, who opens the session by presenting their work and current research.

After this introduction, each group (typically around 50 students) collaborates to create a short presentation to deliver to the wider plenary audience. These presentations highlight key research developments, major challenges in the field, and future opportunities.

This year, the Specialist Study Day will be led by Professor Tolullah Oni on Wednesday, 29th July 26, which allows students to work in focused groups, examine real-world challenges, and develop practical solutions.

Participants will also present their findings, strengthening their ability to communicate scientific ideas clearly. These sessions are designed to build problem-solving skills, teamwork, and confidence in scientific discussion. Students are encouraged to think creatively about how they communicate their ideas and engage their peers.

LIYSF has also introduced an Alumni Specialist Lecture Day, where every speaker is a former LIYSF participant who has gone on to become a researcher, scientist, or engineer, offering students inspiring and relatable examples of where the LIYSF journey can lead. LIYSF 2026 will have an alumni specialist lecture day on Monday, 27th July.

Research and Scientific Visits

One of the standout features of LIYSF 2026 is its programme of research and scientific visits across London, Oxford, and Cambridge.

LIYSF's scientific visits take students beyond the lecture theatre into a real scientific field. These experiences bring classroom theory to practical learning. Students witness science in action, engage with working environments, and see collaboration happening in real time.

These visits also give young innovators the chance to test their interests against real-world practice, explore potential career pathways, and gain the confidence to imagine themselves in similar roles in the future.

Scientific visits give students the opportunity to:

• Select visits based on their interests and take part in smaller, focused groups.
• Visit world-class research laboratories and institutions that provide a real-world look into how different STEM fields operate on a day-to-day basis. This links classroom learning to practical application.
• Gain access to active laboratories, research institutes, and industry facilities that are fully operational.
• Engage with researchers and scientists sharing expertise and answering questions in an open way.
• Offer hands-on opportunities, allowing participants to observe experiments closely or try techniques themselves.

LIYSF visits include leading research departments and internationally recognised centres of excellence across the UK, including:

• London: Trip to departments at Imperial College London, University College London (UCL), King’s College London, and London Metropolitan University, as well as The Royal Institution, The Tate Museum Conservation Department, UCL Hospital, and the London Wetland Centre.
• Across the UK: Visits to organisations such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce, the Animal & Plant Health Agency, Public Health England, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, the National Space Centre, the John Innes Centre, the National Oceanography Centre, the Rothamsted Research Centre, and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, as well as university departments at the University of Birmingham, Cardiff University, Cranfield University, the University of Essex, the University of Nottingham, and the University of Sussex.
• Oxford and Cambridge: Visits include departments at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, including university hospital departments, as well as major research institutions such as the British Antarctic Survey, the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, HR Wallingford, and the Wellcome Genome Campus.

Science Forum Bazaar and Student Communication

Another major highlight of LIYSF is the Science Forum Bazaar, taking place on Friday, 24th July 26. The LIYSF Science Bazaar gives you the chance to present your research through a poster-board session in a friendly, non-competitive setting.

It’s a great opportunity to share your ideas with students from around the world, connect with science experts, and proudly represent your school, region, and country.

Science communication is an essential skill for any future scientist. Being able to explain your work clearly to researchers, colleagues, and the wider public is increasingly important. The Bazaar is designed to help you build that confidence.

The benefits of presenting at the Science Bazaar are:

• Present your research and exchange ideas without the pressure of competition.
• Strengthen your presentation, analytical thinking, and communication skills in a supportive environment.
• Get valuable insights from professors, scientists, and experienced researchers.
• Poster presentations reflect how real academic research is shared at the university and PhD level.
• Learn how to explain difficult topics clearly, including presenting in English if it’s not your first language.
• Receive an additional LIYSF certificate for presenting at the Bazaar.

Ethics, Debate, and Global Perspectives

Science does not exist in isolation, and LIYSF ensures students engage with the broader ethical and social issues linked to scientific progress.

Key sessions include:

• Debate Evening, led by Dr Jason Nurse, where participants discuss major ethical, technological, and societal questions
• Participants’ Forum, which allows students to share perspectives shaped by their own cultures and national experiences

These sessions encourage responsible thinking and help students explore how science can contribute to solving global challenges.

Cultural Exchange and Community Life

Alongside its academic programme, LIYSF places equal emphasis on cultural exchange and community building.

• International Cabaret: A lively evening where students perform music, dance, and cultural acts from their home countries, celebrating creativity and diversity.
• Traditions of Home: A session where participants share clothing, customs, and traditions, encouraging intercultural dialogue and deeper understanding.
• LIYSF Olympics and Social Activities: Team-based sports and social events promote friendship, collaboration, and well-being within the international community. Optional visits to Oxford, Cambridge, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and guided tours across London further enhance the overall experience.

Alumni Impact and Long-Term Outcomes

The impact of LIYSF extends far beyond the two-week programme. Its global alumni network remains active and engaged, supporting new participants and contributing to the forum’s continued growth. Recent alumni feedback shows that:

• 47% go on to pursue a PhD, highlighting strong academic progression
• 80% report increased awareness of STEM career opportunities
• 76% feel more motivated to pursue their chosen field
• 96% develop stronger cultural understanding and global awareness
• 87% report improved networking skills, supporting long-term professional growth

These outcomes reflect LIYSF’s lasting value and its role in shaping the next generation of scientific leaders.

LIYSF 2026 Is Waiting for You

If you’re driven by curiosity, passionate about discovery, and eager to learn with ambitious students from around the world, LIYSF 2026 is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss.

More than just a science programme, LIYSF brings together world-class lectures, hands-on learning, and global cultural exchange, creating an experience that is both academically enriching and personally transformative.

For students exploring STEM summer schools in the UK or searching for the best STEM summer camps in the UK, LIYSF remains one of the most respected and inspiring programmes of its kind.