In today’s episode, recorded live at the National Science and Media Museum during the Association for Science and Discovery Centres Annual Conference 2025, we’re exploring what’s on the horizon for Science and Discovery Centres right now, over the next 5 years, and looking even further ahead to the next 25 years.

It’s a throwback to the break between Seasons 6 and 7, when Paul Marden was invited to the ASDC National Conference in Bradford, at the height of the Bradford City of Culture celebrations. It was Paul’s first time in Bradford, but not his first ASDC conference, and this one was an absolute standout.

At the end of the first day, Paul gathered a brilliant panel of delegates to unpack the conference’s central theme: the Now, Next, and Future for Science Centres.

Joining Paul on the panel were:

• Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director, National Science and Media Museum
• David Jones, Community Engagement Manager, International Centre for Life
• Natalie Whitehead, Founder and Director, Exeter Science Centre
• Stephen Breslin, CEO, Glasgow Science Centre and Chair of the Association for Science and Discovery Centres ASDC
• Shaaron Leverment, CEO, Association for Science and Discovery Centres ASDC

Let’s head back to Bradford for a fascinating conversation about innovation, engagement, and the long-term vision shaping the future of science discovery in the UK.

Show references: 

Jo Quinton-Tulloch - Director, National Science and Media Museum

• https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-quinton-tulloch-22503791/

David Jones, Community Engagement Manager, International Centre for Life

• https://www.life.org.uk/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-jones-031570198/

Natalie Whitehead, Founder and Director, Exeter Science Centre

• https://exetersciencecentre.org/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-whitehead-17323ba9/

Stephen Breslin, CEO, Glasgow Science Centre and Chair of ASDC

• https://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-breslin-b331135b/

Shaaron Leverment - CEO, Association for Science and Discovery Centres ASDC

• https://www.sciencecentres.org.uk/events/asdc-conference-2025/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaaron-leverment-74b53b50/

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