Paterson Joseph announced as Patron of the Oxford Brookes Science Bazaar
Actor, writer, and Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, Paterson Joseph, will serve as the official Patron of the university’s Science Bazaar 2026.
The Science Bazaar – the University’s flagship public engagement festival – will take place on Saturday 21 February 2026. The annual event welcomes thousands of families, children and community members onto campus for a day of hands-on activities, workshops and demonstrations that celebrate the breadth of research at Oxford Brookes.
Paterson Joseph brings to the role not only his celebrated career in theatre, television and literature, but also his passion for inspiring young people through storytelling. His latest book, ‘Ten Children Who Changed the World’, introduces young readers to extraordinary real-life stories of courage, creativity and determination. The themes of the book – curiosity, resilience, and the power of individual action – resonate strongly with the spirit of the Science Bazaar, making his patronage especially meaningful this year. As Patron, he will support the University's mission to make science, arts and research accessible, inspiring and relevant for all audiences.
As part of his patronage, Paterson Joseph will perform a special live reading from ‘Ten Children Who Changed the World’ during the festival, giving families and young visitors a unique opportunity to hear these powerful narratives brought to life by the author himself.
Speaking about his involvement, Paterson Joseph said: “The Science Bazaar is a wonderful celebration of curiosity, creativity and learning. I’m thrilled to support an event that opens doors for young people, brings research to life, and shows how science and the arts can connect in powerful ways. It’s a joy to be part of something that truly belongs to the whole community.”
The 2026 Science Bazaar introduces two exciting new zones:
- The Theatre Zone, where live performance meets science communication, including a new play ‘Lily’s Special Recipe’ developed with Human Story Theatre and Dr Shelly Coe, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition.
- The Gallery Zone, featuring collaborative artwork created by researchers, an art therapist and an illustrator, exploring the ethical questions behind cutting-edge research.
Dr Ellie Beaman, Public and Community Engagement Coordinator at Oxford Brookes, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Paterson Joseph as Patron of the Science Bazaar. His commitment to storytelling, creativity and public engagement aligns perfectly with the values of the event. His support will help us inspire even more people to explore, question and discover.”
This year’s festival is proudly supported by Lead Sponsor Morgan Sindall Construction, whose commitment to community learning and skills development aligns strongly with the ethos of the event.
The Science Bazaar is free to attend, and further details about activities, workshops and timings can be found on the Science Bazaar webpage.