The Pearl is pleased to be taking part in this year’s University of Reading Community Festival, which returns to Whiteknights campus on Saturday 16 May. The event forms part of the University’s centenary celebrations, marking 100 years since its founding in 1926, and brings together research, culture and community for a day of shared learning and celebration.
Based in the University of Reading’s Department of Meteorology, The Pear works at the intersection of climate change, risk and adaptation, focusing on how climate pressures affect people, livelihoods and decision-making in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. Our research spans food systems, water, health, agriculture and conflict-affected settings, with strong emphasis on evidence‑led, people‑centred solutions.
At the festival, The Pearl team will be offering a range of informal, conversation-based activities for all ages. Visitors can expect hands-on questions for younger children, interactive map-based discussions for teenagers, visual stories from our fieldwork for older audiences, and reflective prompts for adults on how climate risks may shape communities over the next century.
In the spirit of the University’s centenary, we’ll be asking visitors to share their views on a simple question: what do you think the world’s biggest climate challenge will be in 2126? It’s an open invitation to look beyond the present and consider the role of research, institutions and communities in shaping a more resilient future.
Whether you’re a local resident, a family visiting the campus, or a regular follower of The Pearl’s work, we’d love you to stop by and join the conversation.
Where: Whiteknights Campus
When: Saturday 16 May 2026
More information: University of Reading Centenary Community Festival 2026