What happens when academics trade lecture theatres for a comedy club stage?
Napier academics take the mic as The Provocateurs returns to the Fringe
Since 2013, The Provocateurs has been doing exactly that as part of the Edinburgh Fringe. The long-running series takes some of Scotland’s leading academics out of lecture theatres and into a comedy club setting, where they transform complex research into entertaining, thought-provoking performances.
This August, several Edinburgh Napier University academics will swap PowerPoints for punchlines as they take to the microphone in the basement of The Stand Comedy Club. Covering topics as varied as artificial intelligence, midwifery, microbiology, wood science and more, they’ll demonstrate that important research doesn’t always have to be delivered with a straight face.
“We do a lot of public speaking on nursing and midwifery history but, this is very different. Usually we have the security of PowerPoint and are behind/beside a laptop. This time, we have no PowerPoint, it’s just ourselves, props and walk on music!” – Nicola Ring, Professor of Nursing
Combining expert insight with humour, storytelling and sharp observations, these unique shows offer the chance to learn something new while enjoying a few laughs along the way.
For a full list of Provocateurs shows, and to purchase tickets for any of the events, visit The Stand’s official page here: The Provocateurs Fringe 2026 – The Stand Comedy Club
Friday, 7th August: What’s the point of trees? / Pax Physica
Dr. Dan Ridley Ellis, the Head of the Centre for Wood Science and Technology at the School of Computing, Engineering & The Built Environment, asks us about the future of trees in his upcoming set.
“My show is about the various different views on what forests are for – and what is important to consider when thinking about what kinds of trees to be planting for the future.”
It’s different from his normal lectures – “It’s some arm-wavey public speaking – but the difference is that this time everyone will be waving their arms!”
See Dan’s show here: The Provocateurs: What’s the point of trees? / Pax Physica – Edinburgh, 7 Aug 2026 | The Stand
Friday, 14th August: Midwife crones fightback / When superbugs kill
Why were Scottish women historically gatekept from midwifery? Professor of Nursing Nicola Ring and Midwifery Lecturer Ness McHugh of the School of Health and Social Care re-examine this dismissed group through the story of one Highland Midwife, Mrs. Christian Cowper.
“Women-midwives working in the late 1700s/early 1800s are portrayed very badly, often called ignorant crones who were said to have risked lives as they were poorly trained. We’re excited for the audience to hear about Mrs. Cowper as she challenges this poor perception and represents a large number of women who were trained by Edinburgh’s man-midwife professors in the 1700s but who are historically invisible.” – Nicola Ring
For the show’s second act, Microbiology Professor Clare Taylor of the School of Applied Sciences looks at what happens when medicine stops working against superbugs. Try not to be terrified, but these superbugs are closer than you think.
This show is sold out, but tickets for “Midwife crones fightback” on the 27th August are available here: The Provocateurs: AI & Economics / Midwife crones fightback – Edinburgh, 27 Aug 2026 | The Stand
And “When superbugs kill” on the 29th August are also available: The Provocateurs: Hard drugs / When superbugs kill – Edinburgh, 29 Aug 2026 | The Stand
Sunday, 16th August: No booze, no boogie? / What’s the point of trees?
Dr. Dan Ridley Ellis returns with his set on the future of trees. Get tickets for the show here – The Provocateurs: No booze, no boogie? / What’s the point of trees? – Edinburgh, 16 Aug 2026 | The Stand
Tuesday, 18th August: Performing Possibility / No booze, no boogie?
Universities promise bright futures, but what do they actually deliver? Professor Zack Moir is a Lecturer in Music as part of the School of Arts and Creative Industries. He sees how students are encouraged to imagine change, but within a broken system they may not get what they believed they could. Zack explores how higher education could better nurture justice and collaboration instead, creating a better future.
See Zack’s show here: The Provocateurs: Performing Possibility / No booze, no boogie? – Edinburgh, 18 Aug 2026 | The Stand
Monday, 24th August: Performing Possibility / 200 Monks, 1 Dead Frog
See Zack’s show here: The Provocateurs: Performing Possibility / 200 Monks, 1 Dead Frog – Edinburgh, 24 Aug 2026 | The Stand
Thursday, 27th August: AI & Economics / Midwife crones fightback
AI was promised to boost productivity, wages and make better jobs, but the reality is much more nuanced. Elena Papagiannaki, Lecturer in Economics from the School of Applied Sciences, cuts through the noise to see who is benefitting, where the job losses are coming from, and what is actually becoming “AI-washed”.
For the second act, Nicola Ring and Ness McHugh return for Midwife crones fight back.
Get your tickets to Eleni, Nicola and Ness’ show here: The Provocateurs: AI & Economics / Midwife crones fightback – Edinburgh, 27 Aug 2026 | The Stand
Saturday, 29th August: Hard drugs / When superbugs kill
See Clare’s show here: The Provocateurs: Hard drugs / When superbugs kill – Edinburgh, 29 Aug 2026 | The Stand
Sunday, 30th August: AI & Economics / Forensic jewellery
See Elena’s show here: The Provocateurs: AI & Economics / Forensic jewellery – Edinburgh, 30 Aug 2026 | The Stand
For a list of all shows, including more sets from Edinburgh Napier University academics, you can visit The Stand’s event page here: The Provocateurs Fringe 2026 – The Stand Comedy Club