Biology Week 2026

The Royal Society of Biology (RSB) hosts its annual Biology Week from 8-18 October 2026, marking the event's 15th year. Running across the UK and online, including sessions in London and Oxford, the week is a UK-wide celebration of the biosciences that brings together schools, researchers, industry specialists and anyone with an interest in biology. This year's extended programme carries the theme 'A complete celebration of biology and nature from A to Z'.

What Biology Week covers

Biology Week aims to showcase the value of biology and how it contributes to improving life, raising the profile of recent achievements in the biosciences and the work bioscientists are doing. The RSB positions it as a meeting point across sectors, spanning industry, academia, schools and those with a biology-related interest.

Dr Arianne Matlin MRSB, the RSB's Director of External Affairs, said: "Biology Week is a crucial and exciting time in the bioscience annual calendar, to inspire people about the wonder of biology and highlight its importance to the world. It's uniquely positioned to bring together those from across biology sectors, be they in industry, academia, schools, or simply with a biology-related hobby. I'm looking forward to this year's events and hope to see even more widespread engagement in biology this year."

Flagship events

• From Nature to Neuroscience (online), Tuesday 13 October - a STEM Club talk and Q&A aimed at 11-19 year olds.
• Visit to Oxford Botanic Garden (Oxford, UK), Thursday 15 October - talks from plant health professionals and a tour of the gardens.
• Exploring Antarctic Science (online), Friday 16 October - a webinar with the British Antarctic Survey on science at the South Pole.

Taking part

Organisations running their own events during the week can submit them to the RSB for promotion on its website and social media channels; RSB membership is not a requirement for organising an event. Downloadable resources are available, including Biology Week logos and branding, school resources and an event planning ideas guide.

The week also features the RSB's BioCraft Competition, which encourages participants to create a biology-inspired 3D artwork from recycled or other materials and opens in October, alongside member-exclusive webinars featuring lectures from across the biosciences. The RSB monitors the #BiologyWeek hashtag for related social media content.

Organiser

The Royal Society of Biology is a single unified voice for biology, advising government and influencing policy, advancing education and professional development, supporting its members and encouraging public interest in the life sciences. It represents a membership of individuals, learned societies and other organisations, and is a registered charity incorporated by Royal Charter.