Thackray Science LIVE: Jurassic Hospital
How has the way we treat illnesses today helped us understand more about dinosaurs? What colour they were, and whether T-rex ever got the flu? All this and more will be answered at our first annual Family Christmas Lecture!
Palaeontologist Dr Rob Sansom (University of Manchester) joins our Thackray Boffins to explore the amazing science that connects modern medicine with the prehistoric world of dinosaurs. Blending fascinating facts with roar-inspiring live demonstrations to satisfy both junior fossil finders and wannabe medics alike.
About the Speakers:
Dr Rob Sansom is a palaeobiologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester interested in using the fossil record to address big evolutionary problems such as the origin and early evolution of vertebrates, and the Cambrian diversification of animals. Rob also presents the popular podcast The Fossil Files that delves into the latest discoveries from the world of palaeontology.
The Thackray Boffins are our in-house team of science presenters and demonstrators. They put on lively, hands-on science shows for families, using experiments, stories, demonstrations and fun to explore fascinating topics in medicine, biology and the human body.
More Events
October Half Term: Mighty Mushrooms
24th October 2026 - 1st November 2026
Why are some mushrooms delicious but others deadly? What is a jelly ear fungus? And can mushrooms really talk to trees? It’s time to dig…
October Half Term: Mushroom Masterpiece Workshop
26th October 2026 - 27th October 2026
Join Samantha, Plant Researcher and Botanical Artist, for a hands-on exploration of the hidden world of plants and fungi. Discover mushroom science, folklore and medicine…
Thackray Lates: Grave Expectations – Gothic Fiction Unmasked
29th October 2026 - 29th October 2026
Turn the page this Hallowe’en and reveal a world of monsters and medicine. Thackray Lates is back for a novel night out, exploring the sinister…
October Half Term: Wild Woodland Art
28th October 2026 - 28th October 2026
Create a woodland-inspired artwork using foraged materials. Get creative and discover how nature can inspire your artwork through this fun, hands-on workshop with Alison and…
Home Educator’s Day
2nd November 2026 - 2nd November 2026
Why are some mushrooms delicious but others deadly? What is a jelly ear fungus? And can mushrooms really talk to trees? Join us for our…
Curator Talk: The Power of Community
11th November 2026 - 11th November 2026
Get behind the scenes of Where Magic Grows with the people who brought it to life. Join our Community Co-Producer, Ezra Kingston, for a deeper…
Explore The Neighbourhood
Clinton Baptiste’s Christmas Presence
Clinton Baptiste’s Christmas Presence Clinton Baptiste is the useless clairvoyant medium psychic from Peter Kay’s smash hit comedy Phoenix Nights. He’s back to deliver an…
Learn MoreJack Dee: Jack’s Joke Show
A show by Jack about jokes. Who doesn’t like jokes? If your answer to that question is “me!” then steer well clear of this show.…
Learn MoreDive back into the world of Lucinda Riley’s Seven Sisters with Harry Whittaker
We’re delighted to welcome bestselling author Harry Whittaker to Farsley for a special evening celebrating the publication of his new novel, Orlando – an exciting…
Learn MoreSimon Brodkin: Unleashed
He’s the comedian who showered FIFA president Sepp Blatter with cash, handed Prime Minister Theresa May her P45, and created the smash-hit BBC comedy series…
Learn MoreThe Boss & The Beeston Street Band
The Leeds based tribute to Bruce Springsteen and The E-Street Band!
Learn MoreDon Vappie and Jazz Creole
Don Vappie and Jazz Creole. Creole-influenced New Orleans music from the ‘Jimi Hendrix of the banjo’. Led by Don Vappie, the award-winning Creole banjoist/vocalist from…
Learn MoreThe Brew Society
A relaxing, indie coffee and beer house within Leeds City Centre that serves speciality, high quality drinks. During the day, The Brew Society serves North…
Learn MoreIf Coffee Bar
IF up north is local to Leeds. Serving great coffee, brunch and bottomless brunch. Their House Espresso is sourced from North Star Coffee Roasters with…
Learn MoreCosy Club Leeds
Leeds Cosy Club can be found on Albion Street, just a few steps outside of Trinity Leeds. Enjoy a little cocktail on the terrace or…
Learn MoreVeeno
We are authentic Italian wine bars boasting quality wines and tempting Italian food. Veeno was born in 2013 with two friends who shared a love…
Learn MoreEmpire Café
Empire Café is located in Leeds’ ‘home of day dining’- Fish street! Where menus change daily, glassware sparkles, cocktails flow and rotisserie chickens rotate around…
Learn MoreChef Jono at V&V
A Professional Chef for over 16 years and a proud Yorkshireman, Jono has spent many years training in some of the UK and the World’s…
Learn MoreYeadon Community Hub & Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreThe Lending Room
From a Fire Station to a Library to a music venue, the Lending Room has a rich presence within Leeds’ historical lineage, but it is…
Learn MoreShine
Shine is a stunning office, conference and events centre that re-invests in its local community. This state-of-the-art, award-winning conference centre is also the largest private…
Learn MoreBlack Music Festival
The Black Music Festival is Europe’s biggest Free open-air reggae concert. The annual Leeds Reggae concert started back in 1985, to complement the annual Leeds…
Learn MorePudsey Community Hub and Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreWetherby Sports Association
WSA provides a community hub for sports clubs and societies in Wetherby that would otherwise struggle to fund a place of their own.
Learn MorePatrick Studios
Patrick Studios, a former social club (St. Patrick’s Social Club) for the neighbouring St Patrick’s Church, was redeveloped and transformed into the home of East…
Learn MoreAssembly House
An artist-run studio space situated in a Victorian textile mill by the historical Leeds-Liverpool Canal. Providing affordable spaces and career support for budding artists. Throughout…
Learn MoreOtley Community Hub & Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreAire Park
A 24-acre vision brought together by world class designers, planners and architects; Aire Park unlocks the potential of Leeds South Bank for a stronger future…
Learn MoreRoundhay Parochial Hall
We are a community Hall in north Leeds, providing space for a wide range of classes, groups and clubs. Roundhay Parochial Hall is a charitable…
Learn More