Medicine & Health Museum of Human Disease

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Events at the Museum of Human Disease

Alongside our core education programs, the Museum of Human Disease hosts a select range of special events throughout the year. These events highlight unique aspects of our collection, explore important health and science topics, and provide opportunities for the community to engage with experts in the field. To find out more, select one of the options below.

 

  • Brain Awareness Week at the Museum of Human Disease is back for 2025!

    This free event is designed for Year 9, 10, and 11 students, featuring live practical demonstrations and in-depth anatomical studies led by UNSW neuroscientists. Students will gain a deeper understanding of brain function while exploring career pathways in biological sciences.

    📅 Event Date: Thursday, 13th March 2025

    🕙 Sessions: 12 PM or 2 PM 

    👥 Capacity: 70 students per session

    Bookings are strictly limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To secure a spot, please email diseasemuseum@unsw.edu.au as soon as possible.

    One of the standout moments in Term 1, 2025 was our Brain Awareness Week in March, which saw over 220 students and teachers engage with the wonders of neuroscience across four fully booked sessions. We’re thrilled with the response and look forward to bringing this event back in 2026.

  • Do you have gifted and talented Year 10 science students, Science Extension, Investigating Science, or Biology classes eager to explore the cutting edge of immunology and biomedical research?

    The Museum of Human Disease and the Australian & New Zealand Society for Immunology invite you to a special one-off program designed to expand your understanding of real-world science and research careers.

    This immersive event will provide students with a unique opportunity to:
    ✅  Engage with leading immunology researchers and explore cutting-edge discoveries
    ✅Gain insights into career pathways in biomedical science and research
    ✅ Take part in Q&A sessions to connect with experts shaping the future of science

    📅 Date: Tuesday, 29th April
    ⏰ Sessions: 10:00 AM  or 12:00 PM
    🎟️ Cost: Free (Limited places available)
    🏛️ Location: Museum of Human Disease

    Please note: This event is distinct from our regular sessions, focusing on researcher engagement and career exploration. This would be an ideal 2 hours to add to your depth study hours!

    To secure a spot please email diseasemuseum@unsw.edu.au with the following information:
    School name
    Number of students and year group
    Preferred session time (10 AM or 12 PM)
    Coach or Minibus parking requirement

    Spaces are filling fast, so book soon!

    We look forward to welcoming your students to this exciting and inspiring event!

  • Design, Discover, and Share Science!

    In celebration of National Science Week 2025, the Museum of Human Disease invites high school students across New South Wales to take part in our very first Scientific Poster Competition!

    Are you ready to combine science, creativity and communication? Students will research a topic of their choice and turn it into an eye-catching A3 scientific poster. This is your chance to show how science can solve problems, tell stories, and inspire curiosity.

    🧪 What’s involved?

    • Create an A3-sized poster using facts, diagrams, and your imagination

    • Posters should focus on a science or health topic outlined in this brochure and be easy for others to understand

    • Download the brochure here for details

    • 3 finalists from each stage group will be chosen to present their work at the Museum of Human Disease during our Science Week celebration

    📅 Key Dates

    • Register your school’s interest now!

    • The competition officially opens Monday 2 June and submissions close on Friday 4 July at 4pm

    • Finalists will be invited to present at a special symposium on 12 August at the UNSW Museum of Human Disease

    This event is open to all students in Years 7–12 across NSW. Finalists will attend a special event at the museum with a keynote science speaker, a tour of our unique collection, and the chance to meet other young science enthusiasts.

    📥 To get started, register your school’s interest and we’ll send you an info pack with guidelines when the competition opens.

    Don’t miss this fun and inspiring opportunity to step into the shoes of a scientist and share your passion for discovery. We can’t wait to see what you create!

    👉 For more information Download the brochure here for details

  • Mark your calendars for 6th September and come in for a free visit to the Museum of Human Disease on UNSW Open Day! 

    Stay tuned for events being held on the day!

  • Stigma in the Bloodstream: HIV’s Legacy in Medicine, Law and Society will mark the first-ever Diversity Festival event hosted by the Museum of Human Disease. Join us Wednesday, 24 September 2025, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Museum of Human Disease. This powerful panel discussion features esteemed speakers—including Dr Melissa Kelly, Vikas Parwani, Niahm Joyce, and Ruan Uys — who will explore HIV’s complex legacy across medical, legal, and societal spheres, and confront the enduring stigma surrounding the virus. Attendees are invited to stay on after the discussion for an enriching guided tour of the Museum of Human Disease, offering a rare, immersive journey through the impact of disease on the human body and the evolution of medical science. Admission is free—secure your spot by registering via the link provided.

    Stigma in the Bloodstream - Get your tickets

     
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  • The Museum of Human Disease is excited to participate in the UNSW SDG Showcase, contributing to the global conversation around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a set of 17 interconnected goals designed to address the world’s most pressing challenges, from poverty and inequality to climate change and health. They provide a framework for creating a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable future — not just globally, but within our own communities.

    Our participation is focused on SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which emphasises ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. To illustrate this, we will present a curated selection of preserved human tissue specimens from our unique collection of over 1,500. This display will highlight the very real impact of lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, poor diet, and lack of physical activity on the body, through diseases like cancer and cardiovascular illness.

    By bringing these specimens out of the museum and into the community, we hope to spark meaningful conversations about disease prevention, lifestyle choices, and the collective responsibility we share in working towards better health outcomes for everyone.

    See you at the SDG Showcase in:

     
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  • Our work experience program runs in week 10 of each school term and places are strictly limited due to nature of our work and small team we have working here. 

    The museum focus is in Science education, communication and outreach.  We spend time developing and delivering content for the museum and research to put on our online platform and events.  We are not a laboratory or practical-based work experience venue. 

    If you are interested in applying for work experience, please contact us at diseasemuseum@unsw.edu.au

Visiting

Opening hours

Weekdays: 10am - 4pm

Weekends: Closed

Public holidays: Closed

Prices

Adults - $10

Child - $5

Concession - $5
Include senior card, commonwealth pension cards, student cards.

Teachers & UNSW staff and students - Free

Find us here

Ground Floor Samuels Building UNSW, Sydney NSW 2052

Contact us

Email: diseasemuseum@unsw.edu.au

Phone: 02 9065 0330