Science Without Borders: The 67th LIYSF
The 67th London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF), held under the theme “Truth Through Science”, welcomed 480 young scientists from 90 countries and territories to London for a two‑week residential STEM programme. Students aged 16–21 engaged with leading researchers, explored scientific innovation, and built international connections with peers from across the globe.
The academic programme featured a keynote lecture by Nobel Prize Laureate Professor John O’Keefe, recipient of the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of place cells. Alongside this, participants attended 11 plenary lectures and 32 specialist sessions delivered by distinguished scientists and academics, including contributions from LIYSF alumni who have advanced to become researchers, professors, and experts in their fields.
Beyond the lecture halls, students joined 47 scientific visits to leading institutions and establishments across the UK, including academic engagements with the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Hosted at Imperial College London and the Royal Geographical Society, LIYSF combined scientific excellence with cultural exchange, offering participants the chance to experience London’s academic and scientific landscape while developing lifelong international networks.
The Forum’s cultural programme remained a cornerstone of the experience. Traditions of Home and the International Cabaret celebrated the diversity of participating nations, allowing students to share their cultures, traditions, and perspectives with peers from around the world.
Established in 1959, LIYSF is a 14‑day residential STEM programme that has, for more than six decades, provided a platform for students to engage with leading researchers, explore advances across scientific disciplines, and develop international connections within the global scientific community.
Under the Royal Patronage of HRH The Princess Royal and in partnership with UNESCO, LIYSF continues its longstanding mission to connect generations of young scientists. With more than 24,500 alumni worldwide—nearly half of whom go on to obtain a PhD—the Forum has created a global network of scientists contributing to research, academia, industry, and innovation.
The long‑term impact of LIYSF is reflected in its alumni community. Feedback shows that 80% of participants believe the Forum significantly contributed to their understanding of STEM careers and future opportunities.
The 67th edition celebrated another successful chapter in LIYSF’s history, reaffirming its role as a transformative platform that connects young scientists across borders and empowers them to address global challenges through science.
