The Festival of Social Science returns to Northumbria University for 2024

The annual ESRC Festival of Social Science is once again being celebrated at Northumbria University, 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 Northumbria University 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 Northumbria University, 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 Northumbria University.”

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 Northumbria University 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 Northumbria University. 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 Northumbria University event list includes:

• How to boil an egg!? – led by Helen Hooper (Sun 20 Oct)
• Crafting Connections: Exploring Storytelling Wellbeing Through Paper Art – led by Nazima Rangwaia Kalita (Mon 21 Oct)
• Is that Sexist!? – led by Genavee Brown (Weds 23 Oct)
• NESV Stakeholder Engagement Workshop – led by Cheng Siew Goh (Fri 25 Oct)
• Is my Job Killing me? – led by Anthony Montgomery (Sat 26 Oct)
• Community Safety Unlocked – led by Mimi Huang (Tues 29Oct)
• Flash Writing Re(Treat) for Neurodivergent Creatives: “Wordlarking”, Performance and Poetry – led by Catherine Glover (Mon 4 Nov)
• Autistic Community and Creativity – led by Sarah McHaffie (Tues 5 Nov)
• Eternal You – 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 Festival of Social Science website.