A National Science Week event.

Between the festival's two featured events, enjoy refreshments while connecting with researchers, alumni and fellow attendees. Meet Swinburne student clubs, explore interactive activities and exhibits, and learn about the science, technology and innovation taking place across the university.

What Inspired Me? Costume Challenge

Join the fun with our "What Inspired Me?" costume challenge. Come dressed as the person, place, object or idea that first sparked your interest in science, whether that's an astronaut, a dinosaur, a robot, an inventor, a planet, a microscope or something uniquely your own. There are prizes up for grabs for the most creative and inspiring entries.

Seeds of Curiosity: The Journeys Behind Discovery | 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Every breakthrough begins with a spark of curiosity. Join Swinburne alumni and researchers as they share the experiences, opportunities and unexpected turns that shaped their careers. Discover the diverse pathways that lead to science, technology, innovation and impact.

Speakers

Professor Virginia Kilborn is Swinburne's Chief Scientist and a renowned radio astronomer. She leads and advocates for Swinburne's scientific community, championing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and research across the university. Her career has spanned research, education and leadership roles in Australian astronomy, and she plays an active role in shaping science policy, collaboration and innovation.

Dr Inge Gnatt is a registered psychologist, scientist and educator whose work focuses on mental health, wellbeing and evidence-based care. Her research explores eating disorders, body image, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, with a focus on translating research into practical tools and interventions that support real-world outcomes. 

Dr Daniel Eldridge is a chemist whose work focuses on environmental applications of chemistry. He has a particular passion for undergraduate education and making the role of chemistry in everyday life accessible to everyone.

Dr Matt Shaw is a metallurgist whose work focuses on sustainable metals production and emerging technologies. His career has spanned the mining industry, space resources research and green steel innovation, with a particular passion for translating complex science into real-world impact through collaboration and innovation.

Elizabeth Charles is an astrobiology honours student whose research explores how life responds to the unique conditions of space. She has contributed to projects in partnership with NASA and the International Space Station, and is passionate about STEM outreach, science communication and inspiring future scientists.

Heyhey Jhou is a PhD researcher and medical engineer who uses biomechanics, simulation and advanced manufacturing to improve how we protect and care for the human body. Her work spans orthopaedic implants, surgical treatments, footwear design and innovative 3D-printed structures, using engineering insights to solve real-world health challenges.

Festival Hub | 4:30pm - 6:00pm

Enjoy refreshments while connecting with researchers, alumni and fellow attendees. Meet Swinburne student clubs, explore interactive activities and exhibits, and learn about the science, technology and innovation taking place across the university.

Virtual Tour of The Universe | 4:30pm - 5:00pm and 5:15pm - 5:45pm

Step inside Swinburne's Virtual Universe, a world-class immersive visualisation environment that transforms real scientific data into a breathtaking journey through space. At the heart of the experience is a 100+ square metre wraparound stereoscopic LED display that places you inside the cosmos, allowing you to explore the universe in extraordinary scale and detail.

Led by Distinguished Professor Matthew Bailes, winner of the Prime Minister's Prize for Science and the International Shaw Prize in Astronomy, this exclusive tour will take you beyond the limits of traditional astronomy. Experience stunning visualisations of planets, moons, black holes and the Milky Way, brought to life through cutting-edge 3D technology, real astrophysical data and immersive spatial audio.

Whether you're fascinated by space, technology or scientific discovery, this is a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of Australia's leading astronomers while experiencing a facility unlike any other in the country.

• Virtual Tour of the Universe | 4:30pm - 5:00pm

• Virtual Tour of the Universe | 5:15pm - 5:45pm

Please note: Two identical tour sessions are available. Attendees wishing to attend the full Seeds of Curiosity session are encouraged to register for the 5:15pm tour.

Seeds of Discovery: From Idea to Breakthrough | 6:00pm - 7:00pm

How does a spark of curiosity become a world-changing discovery? Swinburne researchers share their journeys from first insight to breakthrough, including the challenges along the way and the real-world impact of their work.

Speakers

Professor Virginia Kilborn is Swinburne's Chief Scientist and a renowned radio astronomer. She leads and advocates for Swinburne's scientific community, championing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and research across the university. Her career has spanned research, education and leadership roles in Australian astronomy, and she plays an active role in shaping science policy, collaboration and innovation.

Dr Inge Gnatt is a registered psychologist, scientist and educator whose work focuses on mental health, wellbeing and evidence-based care. Her research explores eating disorders, body image, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, with a focus on translating research into practical tools and interventions that support real-world outcomes. 

Dr Kirsten Banks explores the stories hidden in starlight, using observations of stars to uncover clues about the history and evolution of our galaxy. Alongside her research, she is a passionate science communicator who shares the wonder of astronomy and space exploration with audiences across Australia, helping inspire curiosity about the universe and our place within it.

Professor Adam Deller helped map the violent aftermath of a neutron star collision using radio telescopes, a feat that brings scientists closer to answering one of astronomy's biggest open questions: how fast is the universe actually expanding? His work improves the independent, gravitational wave-based method that will help resolve this debate.

Associate Professor Faith Kwa is exploring how a compound found in broccoli could help save the lives of children with Friedreich ataxia, a rare genetic disease that gradually robs them of their ability to walk, speak, play and, ultimately, survive. Her research has shown that broccoli-derived sulforaphane can help protect damaged nerve cells and restore critical proteins. This discovery could pave the way for a safe, affordable treatment for a condition with very limited therapeutic options.

Dr Greg Davis investigates how cells repair damaged DNA and what happens when these processes fail, leading to diseases such as cancer and inherited genetic disorders. Using advanced genetic and computational approaches, his research uncovers the mechanisms that protect our genetic information and shape human health. Beyond the laboratory, he also explores astrobiology and computational astrophysics, examining how life responds to the extreme conditions found beyond Earth.