The University of Essex opens its doors next weekend for what promises to be the biggest 50th birthday celebration Colchester has ever seen.

There will be something for everyone at the University’s Homecoming on Saturday 13 September, from bite-sized lectures and interactive games inspired by Essex’s internationally-acclaimed research, to comedy for children and art workshops. All activities are free and open to the public.

Music, theatre and dance will bring a carnival atmosphere to the Squares of the Colchester Campus at the launch of its 50th anniversary celebrations, while a packed programme of activities means all ages are sure to have a fun day out.

Highlights of the day include interactive storytelling and an illustration workshop with acclaimed children’s author, and creator of Zoe and Beans, Chloe Inkpen. There will even be a special guest appearance by Mick Inkpen, creator of Kipper and Wibbly Pig.

For those interested in finding out why Essex is consistently ranked in the top ten for the quality of its research, academics will be on hand with answers to some of life’s big questions. A series of more than 30 free bite-sized lectures will cover everything from how we’ll feed the world when the global population hits 9 billion, to what exactly is big data.

Children will have the chance to experience what it’s like to graduate, and all the family will enjoy The Lost Laws of Livy, an adventure trail around the Wivenhoe Park Campus inspired by Colchester’s Roman past.

Those wanting to find out more about the University’s history will enjoy Something Fierce, an exhibition celebrating the ‘brutalist’ 1960s architecture of the Colchester Campus, and the unique academic vision of founding Vice-Chancellor Sir Albert Sloman. Six themed student bedrooms, each decked out as they would have looked in a different decade, offer visitors the chance to see how student life has changed since Essex was founded in 1964.

See the full Homecoming programme at: www.essex.ac.uk/fifty. All events are free and you can just turn up on the day (parking is free) but some activities can be booked in advance online.

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More information

For further information, please contact the University of Essex Communications Office, telephone: 01206 873529 or email: comms@essex.ac.uk.