The Science Forum will be held in Helsinki on 20–24 January 2027.
The Science Forum is a biennial science festival open to everyone interested in science, bringing together researchers from various disciplines to present their work and engage in discussions with the public. All events are free of charge.
In 2027, the Science Forum celebrates its 50th anniversary, with the theme A Leap into the Unknown. The programme includes lectures, discussions, seminars, exhibitions, book sales, and planetarium shows.
The sister event, Night of Science, will be held across Helsinki on Thursday 21 January.
Programme
The programme will be published on 22 October 2026 and will be available on the programme page. Most of the programme is in Finnish, but there is also content in Swedish and English. Some of the programme will also be streamed online.
Venue
The Science Forum takes place at the University of Helsinki Main Building (Fabianinkatu 33) and Think Corner (Yliopistonkatu 4).
Main Building facilities in use
- Entrance Hall Fabian and Fuksi (1st floor)
- Studium 1 (3rd floor)
- Small Hall (Pieni juhlasali, 4th floor)
Floor maps are available on the University of Helsinki website.
Think Corner facilities in use
- Stage (1st floor)
- Think Lounge (2nd floor)
- Think Nook (2nd floor)
Floor plans are available on the Think Corner website.
Cáfes and lunch
Main Building
Café Civis (1st floor) serves visitors during the Science Forum:
Thu 9–15.30
Fri 9–15.30
Restaurant Flora (2nd floor)
Lunch served Monday–Friday
Restaurant Laurus (1st floor)
Lunch served Monday–Friday
Think Corner
Think Corner Café
Thu–Fri 8–17
Sat 11.30–16
Cloakroom
Main Building
Lockers are available in the lobby area of the Main Building (Entrance Hall Fabian, 1st floor) near the toilets and the conference centre. The lockers can be operated with any contactless card. If needed, a card can also be obtained from the lobby service desk. Please note that the number of lockers is limited.
There is no supervised cloakroom. Coat racks are available in the lecture rooms. Unattended coat racks are available near the Aleksanterinkatu entrance of the Main Building (Entrance Hall Aleksi, 1st floor).
You can view the facilities on the University of Helsinki Main Building floor plans.
Think Corner
Lockers are available on floors K1 and 2 and operate with a self-selected code. Unattended coat racks are available on the same floors.
Toilets and baby changing facilities
Main Building
Toilets are located on every floor of the Main Building. Most toilets are gender-neutral.
A baby care room is available on the first floor. The room is equipped with a microwave for heating baby food.
You can view the locations of the toilets and the baby care room on the Main Building floor plans.
Think Corner
All toilets are gender-neutral and located on floors K1 and 2.
Baby changing facilities are available in the accessible toilets.
A floor plan of Think Corner is available on the Think Corner website.
Accessibility
All Science Forum venues are accessible. Staff are available to assist visitors.
Main Building
The accessible entrance to the University of Helsinki Main Building is located at Fabianinkatu 33 (the first door on the left). The building is equipped with an accessible elevator, located near the main entrance on the left-hand side, in front of the Helsinki University Museum Flame (Tiedemuseo Liekki). Accessible toilets are available on every floor, and all lecture rooms are equipped with induction loops.
The Small Hall is accessed by stairs, but a wheelchair lift is available. Café Civis is also accessible by a wheelchair lift.
The conference centre, located behind the lobby and toilet facilities on the first floor, offers a space to rest. The area is furnished with sofas and chairs, but it is not a quiet space.
Further accessibility information:
Main Building accessibility details
Think Corner
The accessible entrance is located at the corner of Fabianinkatu and Yliopistonkatu. The premises are step-free and equipped with an elevator. Accessible toilets are available on floors K1 and 2, and an induction loop is provided in the Stage area.
Further accessibility information:
Principles of safer space
The Science Forum is committed to safer space principles.
Everyone has the right to participate without discrimination based on race, colour, gender, language, religion, national or ethnic origin, or other personal characteristics. Everyone has the right to feel safe without the fear of discrimination or harassment sexually, physically or verbally
Guidelines
- treat others as equals: make space for discussion, listen to others and be open to the diversity of participants and different perspectives
- express your views constructively and respectfully, focusing on the issue
- recognise your own biases and reflect critically on your thinking
- be aware of your position in relation to others
- speak from your own experience and do not speak on behalf of others
- if you notice discrimination, harassment or inappropriate behaviour, inform event staff
- apologize if you hurt or offend someone
- only take photos or make recordings with permission
Anyone behaving disrespectfully towards others may be removed from the event by our staff.
If you experience harassment or inappropriate behaviour during the event, please contact our staff during or after the event. The Science Forum’s harassment contact person is the Secretary General, Mandi Vermilä.
Harassment contact person:
Mandi Vermilä, Secretary General
mandi.vermila(at)tsv.fi
+358 9 228 69 221
Registration
Most events do not require registration. If advance registration is needed, it will be indicated in the programme information.