The ESRC Festival of Social Science is an annual celebration of the social sciences and a key element of ESRC’s commitment to promote awareness of UK social science research to new audiences.
This year the festival is being held from 21 October to 17 November and features exciting and creative events run by 42 institutions, eight of which will be run by University of Southampton researchers. We are pleased to announce we have partnered with Bournemouth University to run an extended programme of events, which adds a further eight events, with two of these events being co-hosted by Bournemouth and Southampton academics.
The events shaping our world, from climate change to geopolitical tensions and civic protests, reveal how social science is more important than ever to understanding the world. From big ideas to the most detailed observations, social science affects us all every day – at work, in school, when raising children, within our communities, from the personal and local, to the national and global level.
The ESRC Festival of Social Science offers a fascinating insight into some of the country’s leading social science research and how it influences our social, economic and political lives – both now and in the future. Discover how it shapes public policy and contributes to making the economy more competitive, as well as giving people a better understanding of 21st-century society.
There will be a mix of virtual and face-to-face events, held across Southampton and Bournemouth, which will allow everyone to take part in, and hear about, social science research at the festival’s many engaging events. This year a number of our events will focus on lifelong wellbeing, exploring mental and physical health at all ages and celebrating the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
For more information and to sign up to local events please head to the Festival website: http://esrcfestivalofsocialsciencesouthampton.org/
To explore events across the UK please visit: https://festivalofsocialscience.com/
Event Timetable: Southampton
Knowing Your Legal Rights in a Medical Setting
22 October 2023, 10:00 – 12:00
Building 65, Room 1097, Avenue Campus
An empowering workshop using films and art to inform young people and children about their legal rights as a patient.
Crafting for Wellbeing
23 October, 7 November, 14 November 2023, 13:30 -14:30
Portswood Library, Portswood Road, Portswood, SO17 2NG; Shirley Library, Shirley Precinct, Shirley, Southampton, SO15 5LL; Hartley Library, University Road, Highfield, SO17 1BJ
A series of workshops to utilising craft-based activities to discover the potential short-term benefits of crafting on wellbeing and why longer-term practice is encouraged. Participants can expect, colouring in, paper craft, drawing and yarn-based activities.
Innovating for Sustainable Future Towns and Cities
25 October, 10:00 – 14:00
Future Towns Innovation Hub, University of Southampton Science Park, SO16 7PU
Make Your Place is an inclusive enterprise and entrepreneurship challenge focused on making towns, cities, and communities more healthy, happy and sustainable. This event concludes with an Innovation Marketplace, where participants can share and evaluate their innovations.
Listening for Better Hearing
1 November 2023, 17:45 – 19:45
Building 100, Room 4013, Highfield Campus
An information evening to explore exhibits about hearing, looking after our brain and cochlear implants. There will be a presentation with a guest speaker followed by an interactive panel discussion led by questions from the audience.
Pupil Voice for Promoting Inclusion in Schools
1 November 2023, 15:30 – 17:00
St. John’s Primary and Nursery School, French Street, Old Town, Southampton, SO14 2AU
How can we promote inclusion in schools through an engagement with pupils’ voices? Discover through informal discussion, poster displays, short presentations, videos, and a Q&A, how inclusion can be promoted in schools through engagement with pupils’ voices.
Local Population Change and Policy Challenges in the Era of ‘Levelling-Up’: BSPS Policy Forum
6 November 2023, 14:00 – 17:00
The British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St. James’s, London SW1Y 5AH and online via Slido
Hear from prominent members of the British Society for Population Studies (BSPS) on local population change and policy challenges in the era of ‘levelling up’, followed by an open policy forum for questions from attendees, ending with a networking reception.
Murder in the Citizens’ Jury
11 November 2023, 15:00 – 16:00
Building 6, Room 1077 , Highfield Campus
Set in a citizens’ jury where eight people debate climate solutions. Enjoy a 25 minute dramatic monologue by star of stage and screen Jack Klaff (Star Wars & others) followed by Q&A. See further details and registration information.
Co-hosted events
Sharing the coast: should we extend the right to roam?
Thursday 2 November 2023, 18:30 – 20:00
Branksome Dene Room, Bournemouth, BH13 6FB
Join legal experts to discuss the ‘right to roam’ in England, focusing on Bournemouth’s natural spaces and coastline.
Sharing the forest: should we extend the right to roam?
Wednesday 15 November 2023, 18:30 – 20:00
Lyndhurst Community Centre, Lyndhurst, SO43 7NY
Join legal experts to discuss the issues, challenges, and benefits arising from extending the ‘right to roam’, focusing on the New Forest.
Event Timetable: Bournemouth
Buying happiness? Consumerism and the good life
Wednesday 25 October 2023, 13:00 – 16:00
Durley Environmental Hub, Bournemouth, BH2 5JF
Aimed at people aged 16-18, especially those studying or hoping to study marketing and communication. How do ads sell us ‘the good life’? Explore the impact of consumerism on ourselves and the planet and get creative with your own ideas
Life through my lens: Tackling weight and unemployment
Tuesday 31 October 2023, 09:00 – 16:00
Gather Space, Dolphin Centre, Poole, BH15 1SZ
Drop in to an exhibition exploring the link between excess weight and unemployment – and how research could tackle the problem through positive lifestyle change.
UK drowning: Turning the tide
Saturday 4 November 2023, 10:00 – 12:00
RNLI College, Poole, BH15 1HZ
Cold water immersion is popular for wellbeing, but it can be risky. Discover how your body reacts to cold water and how to stay safe.
Two Tone Towns: A Social History of Ska in Dorset
Saturday 4 November 2023, 19:00 – 21:00
The Black Cherry Theatre Café, Bournemouth, BH1 4AP
Explore the history of Ska and Two-Tone music in Dorset through an exciting evening of live music, interviews, films and much more.
The magic of play: enhancing wellbeing during medical interventions
Saturday 11 November 2023, 10:00 – 12:00
Bournemouth Gateway Building, Bournemouth, BH8 8GP
Explore how magic and play therapy can support wellbeing during hospitalization and medical appointments. An event for health care practitioners and those working with people from vulnerable groups, including children.
Long-COVID: Myths, misconceptions and lived experiences
Saturday 11 November 2023, 13:00 – 14:30
Online via Zoom Webinar
An online event to explore some myths, misconceptions and real-life experiences around Long-COVID, and what the latest research can tell us.