X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a powerful surface analysis technique capable of probing the elemental composition and chemistry of the surface of materials. XPS utilises the photoelectric effect and has led to two Nobel Prizes in Physics, Albert Einstein (1921) and Kai Siegbahn (1981). Originally largely rooted in fundamental surface science, the technique has gained popularity as a powerful surface analytical tool in a variety of different fields, leading to over 10000 publications per year in recent years. Here we highlight just a few of the branches of modern science to which XPS has been applied at the Warwick Photoemission Facility, going on a journey across the sciences from biology to space science via a series of interesting multi-technique case studies, including a particular focus on carbon-based materials such as graphene and diamond. The presentation will also highlight the equipment portfolio of the XPS Facility and outline how to access the instruments.