Current Displays and Exhibitions

Take a look at the special exhibitions and displays — and explore our online Galleries

Photo Oxford 2021: Vaccine Trials - In Science and Art

Join us to celebrate the pandemic’s unsung heroes: ordinary people who volunteered for the vaccine trials.

Experience a stunning glass sculpture of a vaccine nanoparticle alongside compelling Zoom portraits of vaccine trial volunteers by local artist Fran Monks. In partnership with Photo Oxford.

From 15 October - 15 November 2021
Entrance Gallery

Luke Jerram with his COVID-19 vaccine glass sculpture

Experience the sculpture

The Art of Science: the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

This stunning artwork celebrates the remarkable story of the Oxford University researchers who developed the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Experience the sculpture — and add your voice to our living-history display.

From May 2021
Entrance Gallery

45747 Astrolabe by Muhammad Muqim al Yazdi, Persian, 1647/8, made for Shah Abbas II

Tour the online gallery

Mirror of the Stars

Pick up an astrolabe and you hold the universe in your hand.

Join our curators Dr Federica Gigante and Mathilde Daussy-Renaudin to explore how astrolabes mirrored the traditional view of the Earth at the centre of our moving universe.

From 21 October 2021
Online

Heartbeat of the City watches display (9) 1800 x 840 px

Got a minute? Tour the gallery

Watches that tell stories: Aviation, Exploration, and Innovation

From undersea exploration and early flight to crossing deserts and firing the first shots on D-Day …

Discover watches that witnessed history in the making with personal tales of the bold aviators, curious explorers, and ingenious innovators who owned them.

From 9 October 2020 - 28 November 2021
Basement Gallery

Discover Marconi

Marconi Van

Ever looked at a 1960s Morris Minor Traveller van and thought, "Wouldn't that make a great travelling museum ..."?

Join us outside the Museum on Broad Street to explore the past, present, and future of radio and communications physics.

From May 2021
Outside History of Science Museum

To find out more

Alice in Typhoidland: the past and present of typhoid

Explore the long history and cutting edge research behind typhoid vaccination and rollout.

From 21 January 2020
Basement Gallery

To find out more

Women and Science: Inspiring the next generation of scientists

A two-part display that looks at women and science, which will showcase the work of scientists, both past and present, who have made significant contributions to the realms of astronomy and astrophysics. ⁠

From November 2019
Basement Gallery

To find out more

Young Producers: 'Prayer'

Over the last year the Young Producers voluntary group at the History of Science Museum has been working with the collection of scientific instruments from the Islamic World display in the top gallery.

From September 2019
Top Gallery