Throughout November, researchers from the Department of Sociological Studies will take part in the ESRC Festival of Social Science and host free events on subject matters such as experiences of care in the pandemic, how the personal data we share is used, and the role of relationships in social worker practice.
The Festival of Social Science, hosted by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), is an annual celebration of research and knowledge about humans and society. It’s an opportunity for anyone to explore topics relating to social science – from health and wellbeing to crime, equality, education and identity – through events run by researchers from UK universities. There’s no cost to attend, and most are open to everyone, though some are aimed at specific groups.
There are over 400 events across the UK, delivered by 34 universities. They’ll be running throughout November in a mixture of online, in-person and hybrid formats, and will include talks, performances, exhibitions, participatory events and panel debates. For most events you can book yourself a place in advance online – follow the booking link from the event listing.
Here are the events that our academic staff will be taking part in:
Re-imagining Care (Exhibition)
Researchers from the Sustainable Care Programme at The University of Sheffield have created a digital exhibition to explore the lived experiences of care in the pandemic.
Available to view from Monday 1 November, this exhibition reflects on people’s experiences of care over the last 18 months and asks: what do you think care should look like in the future?
Everyday Life with IBS
Experienced by many but discussed by few, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, but under researched, condition. From pressured morning routines to uncertain toilet provision, living with IBS can reshape everyday lives as unpredictable symptoms meet with inaccessible environments.
This animation, based on research conducted by Dr Lauren White from the Department of Sociological Studies, captures the common experiences of living with IBS in everyday life. This film will premiere at 9am on Monday 1 November and will remain available to watch throughout the festival.
What Happens to Data About You? (Exhibition)
Professor Helen Kennedy presents this interactive, digital exhibit exploring how personal data is collected, analysed, shared and used. The interactive animation, available to view from Monday 1 November, showcases just one such process, which takes place in Own It, a free app designed by the BBC to support, help and advise children when they use their phones to chat and explore the online world, without adult supervision.
You can stop the Own It animation at any time while watching it. At the end, the researchers will invite you to let them know if you feel you understand how data is used in Own It, whether you were surprised to find out about it, and whether you would be comfortable using Own It, or with a child you know using Own It.
The Own It animation is hosted on the Living With Data website, a programme of research led by Professor Helen Kennedy, on which information about real-life data uses like Own In has been collected.
Helen said: “Living with Data aims to understand people’s feelings about how data about them is collected, analysed, shared and used, and how these processes could be improved. We have collected information about real-life data uses and produced visual representations of them. A data use animation makes one of these visualisations public, so people can access them and understand how data about them gets used. Our FOSS event will launch the game, inviting young people to engage with and reflect on it. The game will then remain online, raising public awareness of the ways in which personal data is used by organisations, in an entertaining and engaging way.”
The Power of Small Gestures
In this short film, co-researchers from The Power of Small Gestures project share their stories of having social workers in their homes. They explore the importance of social workers making small gestures such as accepting a cup of tea, offering to remove shoes or remarking on a family pet in enhancing home visits for both parties.
The Power of Small Gestures research project is a collaboration between the University of Sheffield, including Dr Michaela Rogers from the Department of Sociological Studies, and Sheffield City Council exploring the role of relationships in social worker practice.
This film will premiere at 12.30pm on Wednesday 3 November and will remain available throughout the festival.
The Beers, Burgers + Bleach Podcast: Exploring hygiene, toilets and hospitality during Covid-19
On 5 November, the Beers, Burgers and Bleach podcast will launch, exploring the explores the experiences of people working within the hospitality sector throughout the pandemic, and drawing on research findings from the ‘Beers, Burgers and Bleach: Hygiene, Toilets and Hospitality during Covid-19’ project. Through three short episodes, researchers consider what it’s been like to work within the restrictions of the pandemic and government guidance; discuss some of the demands and wins made by workers over the past year; and ask what might be done to achieve better conditions for hospitality workers in the future. Each podcast episode will include guest speakers with knowledge and experience of the hospitality sector right now, including workers, trade union organisers, and campaigners.
This event is based upon research funded by the University of Exeter’s Wellcome Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health (WCCEH), and Dr Lauren White from the Department of Sociological Studies has been involved as a co-investigator on the project.