About Cafe Sci Dubai

A forum for debating science, not a shop window for it.

Cafe Scientifique Dubai is a free-to-attend social meetup where we discuss the latest ideas in science, technology, innovation and the future. The aim is to talk science, but outside an academic setting.

Our story

The first of its kind in the Middle East.

Cafe Scientifique Dubai was established in 2013 by Rohan Roberts as a way to promote intellectual conversations in the city of Dubai, and to create opportunities to meet interesting new people.

It is part of a worldwide network. The first Cafes Scientifique were held in Leeds in 1998. From there, science cafes gradually spread across the UK and the rest of the world.

We are committed to promoting public engagement with science, and to making science accountable and accessible.

The journey

From a cafe in Leeds to the Gulf.

One simple idea, carried a long way: put a scientist and a curious crowd in the same cafe, and let them talk.

  1. 1998

    Leeds, UK

    The first Cafes Scientifique open their doors.

  2. 2000s

    Around the world

    Science cafes spread across the UK and far beyond.

  3. 2013

    Dubai

    Rohan Roberts starts the first science cafe in the Middle East.

  4. Today

    A community of ideas

    More than a decade of talks, guests and conversations, and still curious.

What we stand for

Science that belongs to everyone.

Speakers are there to be questioned, and to talk about their work at every level.

01

Informal

No lecture hall and no exams. A cafe, a coffee and a good conversation.

02

Accessible

Anyone can take part. You do not need a science degree, only curiosity.

03

Accountable

Science should answer to the public. Here the audience asks the questions.

FAQs

Good questions, short answers.

We positively welcome questions that begin “This might be a stupid question, but...”. They are invariably not stupid, and often rather insightful.

What is Cafe Scientifique?

A forum, or social meetup group, to discuss science, technology, innovation and the future. The evenings are informal and accessible.

Who else will be there?

Cafe audiences are people who are interested in science. Anyone can participate. Speakers are there to be questioned and to talk about their work at all levels.

What happens at a Cafe Sci Dubai evening?

We start with a short introduction to the topic, usually about 20 minutes. Then there is a break so coffee can be refilled and conversations can start. After that come 30 minutes of discussion, a brief science video, and 15 minutes of Q&A.

What subjects are discussed?

A wide range of issues in science and technology, including space exploration, de-extinction, neuroscience, exponential technologies, artificial intelligence, genetics, the metaverse and much more.

I'm not a science buff. Can I join?

Everyone is welcome. You do not need any background in science, and no question is too simple.

Where, when, and how much?

Cafe Sci Dubai meetups are free to attend. They are usually held on a Saturday, from 5:00pm to 6:30pm, followed by a social from 7pm onwards.

An initiative of SciFest Dubai