Visitors will have the chance to explore a “giant walk-in uterus” and learn about menstrual health at the upcoming Royal Society of Edinburgh Curious festival, set to open in Edinburgh this September.
The Wandering Womb, an exhibit by PhD student Francesca Hearn-Yeates, is among more than 30 attractions at this year’s festival, which runs from September 2 to 15.
Now in its sixth year, the free festival will also feature computer-generated poetry, discussions on feminist cities, and a panel on the future of paleontology.
Hearn-Yeates, a student at the University of Edinburgh, designed the Wandering Womb to be inclusive, regardless of one’s experience with menstruation.
“Over half the world’s population will or has menstruated – so why is it we still don’t talk about periods?” she said.
“The Wandering Womb aims to give everyone the chance to walk into our giant ‘uterus’ and learn about menstrual health. Whether you have never had a period, are familiar with menstruation, or are just starting, you are welcome to learn about the biology of menstruation and related conditions.
“This exhibit offers information on menstrual health issues like endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeding, and polycystic ovary syndrome. It also helps people understand what a ‘typical’ period is and recognize signs that something might be wrong.”
The festival will also feature Bot or Not, an exhibit challenging visitors to differentiate between AI-generated and human-crafted poems. The exhibit includes five poems from the Scottish Poetry Library and five from a computer.
Sam Illingworth, the creator of Bot or Not, said: “By asking participants to distinguish between AI and human poems, we hope to deepen their appreciation of Scottish poetry and spark discussions on technology’s role in the arts. It’s a great way to engage with AI while celebrating traditional cultural expressions.”
Professor Martin Hendry, vice-president of public engagement at the Royal Society of Edinburgh, commented: “Curious celebrates our mission to share knowledge widely. The diverse topics and unique presentations are exciting. Each event promises a fun and relaxed environment for learning and discussion with leading scholars.”
