The University of Essex is throwing open the doors of its Colchester campus to the general public in a special Open House event that will showcase some of the cutting edge research and work that takes place from flying robots to East Anglian witchcraft.

People who attend will have the chance to find out why the Mona Lisa smiles, how scientists are pushing forward the frontiers of medical research, how computers can be controlled by brain-power and how to discover the ‘wild foods’ of Essex among other things. Philosophy, poetry, using lasers in labs, helping ice skaters maximise their performance and much more will be on offer in the form of short talks, tours and chances to chat to the experts.

Attendees will also be able to pick the brains of some of the University’s top experts on issues ranging from politics to art but all in a relaxed atmosphere with live music provided by local bands and musicians including TheHurd, The Medlars, Ady Johnson and the Ragged String Bandand and refreshments also available on the University campus.Organiser Lisa Wade said: "Our Open House event is a fantastic opportunity for people who live and work nearby to come and find out about some of the fascinating and in some cases quite amazing research and work that goes on at the University. You don't have to be a student or work here to be part of the University community and we hope lots of members of the public will drop in to meet us and to find out more about us."

The Open House event is being held on Wednesday 5 May 2010 from 4pm until 9pm on Square 3 at the University ‘s Colchester campus in Boundary Road, Wivenhoe Park. Free car parking will be available and a free shuttle bus will be running between 4pm and 9.30pm to and from Colchester town centre (Castle Gate).

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For further information contact Chris Garrington on 01206 874823 cgarr@essex.ac.uk 07546 11 76 73. We would love to see reporters, photographers and film crews at the event. Please let us know if you would like to attend and we will make sure you get what you need. Further information about the programme of events (some of which require pre-registration) is available at www.essex.ac.uk/openhouse. Anyone thinking of attending is being asked to drop an email to openhouse@essex.ac.uk to help organisers with catering arrangements.