Understanding Society: Festival of Social Sciences Politics events

The University of Sheffield's Department of Politics and International Relations and Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute (SPERI), invites you to this year's Festival of Social Sciences. 

Festival of Social Sciences poster: Understanding Society. A series of free events examining the ideas that shap our everyday lives. Saturday 21 October - Friday 17 November

Picturing the PhD

Date: 12-17 November 

Location: Winter Gardens, Surrey Street, Sheffield S1 2LH

Peace wall in Northern Ireland with the word 'security' engraved into the brick

Five PhD candidates present a compelling exhibition featuring photos, graphics, and interviews used in their ongoing research in the Department. Discover their work on global topics like the Northern Ireland Troubles, South African apartheid, China-Uzbekistan relations, French agricultural practices, and Costa Rican worker-driven supply chains. Gain insights into the findings and research processes of a PhD in Politics and International Relations. Exhibition open to all in Sheffield Winter Gardens.


Freedom, Fear, and Police Power

Date: 15 November

Location: Union Street

Police hi-vis jacket

Dr. Edward Hall delves into police power and its abuse, applying political theory to contemporary policing issues. Explore radical arguments for police abolition and liberal approaches to combat police cruelty. Find out which approach offers the most pragmatic response.

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Wellbeing, Sustainability, and Community in a Time of Crisis

Date: 17 November

Location: Sheffield Town Hall

An image of Sheffield Town Hal

Join a panel featuring SYMCA Mayor, Oliver Coppard, Leader of Sheffield City Council, Tom Hunt, University of Sheffield's Professor Beth Perry and Sheffield Hallam University's Professor Chris Dayson. They’ll be discussing the challenges of wellbeing, sustainability, and community building in Sheffield during times of crisis.

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This year the festival focuses on ‘Understanding Society’. Showcasing Sheffield’s world-leading social scientists and their work on tackling some of the greatest problems facing society today. To view the full Sheffield programme visit the Sheffield Player website.

Sheffield Player

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