The annual ESRC Festival of Social Science is
once again being celebrated at ϲ, with a range of events
led by researchers taking place between 19 October and 9 November 2024.
The festival 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. It is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council
(ESRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
This year’s programme is themed around “our digital lives”
and the events run by Northumbria researchers offer insight into a variety of
topics including AI, physical spaces, psychology and community.
Attendees will have the opportunity to discover how social
science shapes public policy and contributes to making the economy more
competitive, as well as giving people a better understanding of 21st-century
society.
Postgraduate researcher Nazima Kalita is leading the Crafting
Connections: Exploring Storytelling and Wellbeing Through Paper Art event, which will be held at the Experimental space
within Gallery North at ϲ City Campus.
This interactive workshop will invite participants to
explore the intersection of narrative, creativity, and self-expression through
the medium of paper crafting.
Attendees will reflect on personal stories or experiences
they wish to write about on a variety of multi-coloured, textured papers. They
will then be taught to create origami birds, and by the end of the workshop participants
will be asked to hang these crafted birds as a part of the installation.
Nazima said: “I believe this interactive workshop would be
a wonderful way to bring social science concepts of life and demonstrate their
real-world applications in an engaging interdisciplinary manner.”
Claire Hutchinson, Public and Community Engagement Officer
at ϲ, said: “We are so excited to be taking part in our
second Festival of Social Sciences in partnership with Newcastle University.
“This year we have a much bigger programme of free events
happening across Newcastle over the festival period of 19th October – 9th
November.
“The ESRC funded 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.
“We look forward to once again welcoming the public to take
part in the world leading research we conduct here at ϲ.”
The events are being run in partnership with Newcastle
University, which was awarded funding from ESRC through an Impact Acceleration
Account (IAA), designed to maximise the social and economic impact of social
science research and accelerate engagement and knowledge exchange activities.
Victoria Barone, IAA Finance, Events, and Communications
Officer at Newcastle University said: “The ESRC Festival of Social Science
keeps getting bigger and better and this year is no exception!
“We are thrilled to be providing a North East offering with
ϲ for the second year running. Together we have over 15
free events on a diverse range of social science themes being held at venues
across the region.
“The Festival is a fantastic opportunity for our
researchers to showcase their important work and engage a wide range of public
audiences in fresh and innovative ways.”
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 ϲ. We hope you enjoy the
events and finding out more about social scientists’ work."
The events will run in a mixture of online,
in-person and hybrid formats, and will include talks, performances,
exhibitions, participatory events and workshops.
The full ϲ event list
includes:
- – led by Helen Hooper (Sun 20 Oct)
- – led by Nazima Rangwaia Kalita (Mon 21 Oct)
- – led by Genavee Brown (Weds 23 Oct)
- – led by Cheng Siew Goh (Fri 25 Oct)
- – led by Anthony Montgomery (Sat 26 Oct)
- – led by Mimi Huang (Tues 29Oct)
- – led by Catherine Glover (Mon 4 Nov)
- – led by Sarah McHaffie (Tues 5 Nov)
- – led by Stacey Pitsillides (Thurs 7 Nov)
The following events will also take place
with more information and booking available online soon.
- Digital New Towns – led by Michael Crilly
- Autistic teenagers: what’s important to us and how do we prefer to share our views? – led by Joanna Reynolds
- Autistic Community and Creativity – led by Sarah McHaffie
- Life after Stroke – Navigating Unseen Challenges and Hidden Impairments – led by Stephen Dunne
- Heritage and Urban Green Spaces: Exploring the Waggonways of Tyneside – led by Lucy Grimshaw
For further information visit the
