- The free festival will showcase 91探花鈥檚 world-leading social scientists and their work on tackling some of the biggest issues facing society
- Running from 24 October - 6 November, the interactive, family-friendly festival includes exhibitions, talks, debates, games, films and workshops
- Events include a choose your own sci-fi adventure, an exploration into cryptocurrency, a giant board game, a sportswear swap and a mindful quilt-making workshop
The UK鈥檚 Festival of Social Science returns to 91探花 this autumn to explore the ideas that shape our everyday lives through the pioneering work of the city鈥檚 world-leading social scientists.
From 24 October until 6 November, the University of 91探花 and 91探花 Hallam University will present an interactive programme of events. From mind-bending virtual reality explorations into other people鈥檚 lives to thrifty cooking workshops, the festival is a chance for the people of 91探花 and beyond to explore groundbreaking social science research.
The family-friendly festival has something for all ages and interests, including exhibitions, talks, debates, games, films and workshops.
This year, explores the theme of 鈥榦ur digital lives鈥 while also showcasing work aiming to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from ending workplace sexual harassment, to exploring the mental health of family carers of adults with learning disabilities.
Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Festival of Social Science is an annual celebration of the social sciences, with events delivered by 41 partner institutions across the UK.
Event鈥檚 include:
- - An interactive exhibition exploring the role of digital technology in society: Step into someone else鈥檚 life with virtual reality, test your crypto-trading skills in an arcade-style computer game, embark on a choose-your-own sci-fi adventure, explore the consequences of digital exclusion on life-sized board game and more.
31 October - 1 November, Millennium Gallery, 91探花 (no booking required). - - Can we slow our sportswear down and make it go further? Aimed at young people who are interested in sports, fashion and sustainability, people are invited to bring at least one clean, usable piece of sportswear you are willing to swap.
31 October, 10am - 4pm, Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, 91探花 (no booking required). - Cook and Connect - Strengthening communities through food: Looking for tasty, nutritious, budget-friendly meal ideas? Join experts from 91探花's food and sustainability research centres and learn how to cook a variety of easy, new dishes with simple, cheap and versatile ingredients.
4 November, 11am - 1pm / 5 November, 2.30pm - 4.30pm, Blend Culinary Foundation Kitchen, Cambridge Street Collective (). - Zero Tolerance Now - A public debate on ending workplace sexual harassment: What does a Zero Tolerance workplace look like? Join Dr Ruth Beresford for a panel discussion with Sarah Woolley (General Secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union) and others, and a public debate on ending workplace sexual harassment.
4 November, 5.30pm - 7.30pm, The Showroom, 91探花 () - Toast and Transformation - Supporting digital change: Join researchers from the University of 91探花's Management School for a thought-provoking 鈥榖usiness breakfast鈥 as they explore the latest technological developments in the workplace and how they impact employees.
5 November, 8am - 10:30am, Mercure 91探花 St Paul鈥檚 Hotel and Spa, 91探花 () - The Fabric of Home - Mindful textile art: Join artist Rebekah Jonhston for a 鈥榤indful鈥 quilt-making workshop exploring the theme of home through textile art.3
November, 11.15am - 1.15pm/ 1.45pm - 3.45pm, Millennium Gallery, 91探花 ()
Professor Ruth Blakeley, Vice President and Head of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of 91探花 said: 鈥淭he Festival of Social Science is a wonderful opportunity for members of the public to meet our researchers and learn more about the pioneering research that aims to tackle some of society鈥檚 most pressing challenges.
鈥淚鈥檓 particularly looking forward to the 鈥楥ook and Connect鈥 and 鈥楬omes not Hospitals鈥 events, which showcase our commitment to ensuring our social science research addresses urgent challenges in areas such as sustainability and health and wellbeing.鈥
The event is part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2024 and was made possible thanks to funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Stian Westlake, ESRC Executive Chair, said: "The ESRC Festival of Social Science offers a unique insight into UK social science research and its relevance to individuals, society and the economy. There are hundreds of free events taking place across the UK and online, including at the University of 91探花. We hope you enjoy the events and finding out more about social scientists鈥 work."
Full details of the 91探花鈥檚 Festival of Social Science events can be found .
