Thinking Big Science
Some ideas don’t fit neatly into a startup or an academic paper. They’re larger, more ambitious - the kind of projects that could reshape how science and innovation get done.
Thinking Big Science is an evening for ambitious thinkers and builders who want to explore how such projects move from vision to reality. We’re bringing together scientists, RenPhil fellows, programme directors, meta-science researchers, policy thinkers, and new faces who haven’t yet been exposed to these networks.
Inspired by the Magic Laptop thought experiment, the event is designed around the idea of a 15 meeting with a highly influential figure who says:
“If you give me a good idea, I’ll call anyone on the planet - put them on a conference call if needed. What’s your idea, why are you excited about it, who should I call, and what exactly should I ask them to do to make it happen? And if your idea didn’t happen, how would the world be worse off?”
Expect structured group rotations, lively cross-community conversations, and practical next steps for turning ambitious ideas into action - in science and beyond.
Note: Spaces are limited. Priority invitations will go to members of the Higgs Community, a technical community for scientists and innovators pursuing ambitious ideas that are too big for academia and too risky for venture, with the aim of turning breakthrough science into real-world impact.
Hosted by:
Renaissance Philanthropy is a nonprofit dedicated to sparking a 21st-century renaissance by elevating the ambitions of philanthropists, scientists, and innovators. In partnership with ARIA, we are working to supercharge the UK's R&D ecosystem and empower exceptional individuals to translate their research into impact. We'll be launching: a) a community comprised of exceptional scientists and innovators, and b) programs designed to support technical talent in advancing breakthrough ideas and launching novelty-driven organizations.
Powered by The Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA), a UK R&D funding agency built to unlock scientific and technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone. ARIA empowers scientists and engineers, from their Programme Directors to the teams they fund, with the resources and freedom to pursue breakthroughs at the edge of the possible.