- The free festival will showcase Sheffield’s 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’s Festival of Social Science returns to Sheffield this autumn to explore the ideas that shape our everyday lives through the pioneering work of the city’s world-leading social scientists.
From 24 October until 6 November, the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University will present an interactive programme of events. From mind-bending virtual reality explorations into other people’s lives to thrifty cooking workshops, the festival is a chance for the people of Sheffield 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, the Sheffield programme explores the theme of ‘our digital lives’ 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’s include:
- Research Arcade - An interactive exhibition exploring the role of digital technology in society: Step into someone else’s 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, Sheffield (no booking required). - Just Swap it - 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, Sheffield (no booking required). - Cook and Connect - Strengthening communities through food: Looking for tasty, nutritious, budget-friendly meal ideas? Join experts from Sheffield'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 (book here). - 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, Sheffield (book here) - Toast and Transformation - Supporting digital change: Join researchers from the University of Sheffield's Management School for a thought-provoking ‘business breakfast’ as they explore the latest technological developments in the workplace and how they impact employees.
5 November, 8am - 10:30am, Mercure Sheffield St Paul’s Hotel and Spa, Sheffield (book here) - The Fabric of Home - Mindful textile art: Join artist Rebekah Jonhston for a ‘mindful’ quilt-making workshop exploring the theme of home through textile art.3
November, 11.15am - 1.15pm/ 1.45pm - 3.45pm, Millennium Gallery, Sheffield (book here)
Professor Ruth Blakeley, Vice President and Head of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Sheffield said: “The 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’s most pressing challenges.
“I’m particularly looking forward to the ‘Cook and Connect’ and ‘Homes not Hospitals’ events, which showcase our commitment to ensuring our social science research addresses urgent challenges in areas such as sustainability and health and wellbeing.”
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 Sheffield. We hope you enjoy the events and finding out more about social scientists’ work."
Full details of the Sheffield’s Festival of Social Science events can be found here.
