Research events and announcements
Forward Festival: Aug. 18-22
Forward Festival, Wisconsin’s largest tech and entrepreneurship event, welcomes students, small businesses, tech professionals, and curious minds. With 5,000+ attendees and 40+ events, it’s a celebration of innovation, learning, and connection for anyone interested in startups, tech, or making a difference.
Sign up for one event or several. Register here.
CERN Director Public Lecture: 6 p.m. Aug. 26
Location: Great Hall, Memorial Union
Mark Thomson, the Director-General designate of CERN (the high energy physics center in Geneva) is giving a free public lecture, “Particle Physics: Uncovering the Secrets of the Universe,” as part of a conference.
The lecture will explore the cutting-edge frontier of particle physics and our understanding of the universe at its most fundamental level – ranging from understanding dark matter to exploring the early universe. It will focus on the world’s largest and most ambitious particle physics collider – the Large Hadron Collider at CERN – discussing what we have discovered at some of the remaining “big questions”. The lecture will also explore the plans for the next large particle physics projects in Europe and the US and will highlight the broader socio-economic impacts of large-scale scientific investments such as large collider projects.
Cells in Context: Single-Cell & Spatial Transcriptomics Symposium: Sept. 10-12
Location: Memorial Union and Biotechnology Center
A dynamic exchange of ideas, cutting-edge technologies, and transformative applications shaping the next era of biotechnology research.
Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute 23rd Annual Update in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: Sept. 19
Location: Memorial Union – Great Hall
This is an annual, in-person event that is designed to improve the diagnostic and therapeutic capability of healthcare providers who care for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The conference features six research-based presentations that showcase innovative best practices and evolving research efforts. This activity is intended for primary care physicians, psychiatrists, neurologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, social workers, physician assistants, occupational and physical therapists, researchers, case managers, and other healthcare professionals who diagnose, treat and manage Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders in diverse populations.
Waisman Whirl Run, Walk & Roll for All Abilities 2025: 9-11 a.m. Sept. 27
Location: Waisman Center
5k run, walk or roll, and 1 mile walk or roll course
Proceeds benefit individuals and families affected by developmental disabilities and neurodegenerative diseases.
Online registration will close at noon on Friday, September 26, 2025.
Same day, on-site registration available beginning 8:00 am on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
Wisconsin Science Festival: Oct. 16-26
This year’s theme is “‘Rock and roll’ – a play on words—it’s not just about sound and music, but also about the geology that shapes Wisconsin, the physics of motion, and the creative energy that drives discovery, says Samantha Mulrooney, Director of the Wisconsin Science Festival at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. While events related to the feature are not required for participation, it’s designed to inspire a wide range of programs and events across disciplines.
Organizers also unveiled a fresh new look for wiscifest.org, where visitors can now explore expanded resources, ideas for event programming, and register as event hosts for the 2025 festival. This year’s festival will feature 10 full days of hands-on activities, lab tours, community talks, nature walks, and the unexpected discoveries that festival-goers have come to love.
35th Institute on Aging Annual Colloquium: 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 16
Location: Gordon Dining & Event Center (2nd Floor)
Showcasing the latest research and resources on positive aging, with Speakers, a Poster Session, and a Health & Resource Fair.
The event is free and open to the public.
Registration will close Monday, Sept. 29
Sustainability Symposium: Oct. 29 (Save the Date)
The fourth annual UW–Madison Sustainability Symposium will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at Union South. The event will feature lightning talks, poster sessions, and a keynote address on health and sustainability.
Hosted annually in partnership with Facilities Planning & Management, the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University Lectures, and the UW Environmental Awareness Fund, the Sustainability Symposium provides a space to share research on sustainability, generate ideas, and inspire collaboration. Questions? Please email Will Erikson.