2023 events
Organised by the Impact Funding Team, the ESRC Festival of Social Science has run at the University of Southampton since 2019. Each festival year has focused on a different theme and has produced a wide variety of events.
This year's theme is 'Lifelong Wellbeing', which was chosen to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
With last year's festival theme being 'My Local Area' which linked to the place-based agenda. Due to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) coinciding with the festival, events in 2021 focused on Climate Change and the Environment. With the 2020 festival taking a new approach as a digital-first event focusing on Migration, Social Care and Climate Change.
Innovating For Sustainable Future Towns And Cities: An Interactive Challenge
Age: Everyone is welcome to attend.
Type: Participatory/Interactive
Host: Sian Campbell, Strategic Lead, People and Place, and Senior Enterprise Fellow, Southampton Business School, University of Southampton.
Date and Time (UK Time):25/10/2023 10:00 - 14:00
Future Towns Innovation Hub, University of Southampton Science Park
Free
Summary
Make Your Place is an inclusive enterprise and entrepreneurship challenge focused on making towns, cities, and communities more healthy, happy and sustainable. This event concludes with an Innovation Marketplace, where participants can share and evaluate their innovations
Description
The challenge will inspire you to think about where you live, its economy, its importance to the UK, and how you can contribute - through a career, enterprise, study, etc.
You will have the chance to develop ideas for products, services and initiatives that could support the economy of your place by analysing its key strengths, activities, and markets.
In doing so, you will develop ideas about what future towns and cities might look like, and what opportunities might be available.
Each participant will receive a digital badge which you can add to your CV as a record of your achievement. There will also be a small prize for the group who comes up with the best idea as voted for by the other teams!
Innovating For Sustainable Future Towns And Cities: An Interactive Challenge
Local Population Change And Policy Challenges In The Era Of 'levelling-up': BSPS Policy Forum
Age: Professionals
Type: Participatory/Interactive
Host: Professor Jane Falkingham, Director of the ESRC Centre for Population Change and PI of Connecting Generations, VP International and Engagement, University of Southampton. Professor Nicola Shelton, President of the British Society of Population Studies, Head of Health and Social Surveys Research Group, Epidemiology and Public Health, UCL. Professor Tony Champion, Emeritus Professor of Population Geography Newcastle University. Rich Pereira, Deputy Director for Population Statistics and Head of the Centre for Ageing and Demography, Public Policy Analysis, Office for National Statistics. Professor Grant Hill-Cawthorne, Managing Director of Research and Information and Librarian, House of Commons.
Date and Time (UK Time):06/11/2023 14:00 - 17:00
The British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St. James's, London SW1Y 5AH and online via Slido
Free
Summary
Hear from prominent members of the British Society for Population Studies (BSPS) on local population change and policy challenges in the era of 'levelling up', followed by an open policy forum for questions from attendees, ending with a networking reception.
Description
Join us for this policy forum event to reflect and celebrate 50 years of the British Society for Population Studies (BSPS). We will discuss local population change and policy challenges in the era of 'levelling up'. The event will also disseminate knowledge on complex local population variation and the value of data, provide an opportunity for discussion between cross-sector experts, and create a lasting message about the value of the BSPS and population and demography studies.
Local Population Change And Policy Challenges In The Era Of 'levelling-up': BSPS Policy Forum
Murder In The Citizens' Jury: A 25 Minute Dramatic Monologue With Q&A
Age: Young People (16-25) and Adults (over 25)
Type: Other
Host: Denise Baden, Professor of Sustainable Practice at the University of Southampton
Date and Time (UK Time):11/11/2023 15:00 - 16:00
Building 6, Room 1077 Southampton SO17 1BJ
Free
Summary
A 25 minute dramatic monologue by star of stage and screen Jack Klaff (Star Wars & others) followed by Q&A.
Description
Murder in the Citizens' Jury is a dramatic monologue set in a citizens' jury where eight people debate climate solutions. A murder threatens the status of citizens' juries themselves. It is a drama exploring the ethical crisis of the Director of Public Prosecutions who has to decide whether to prosecute a murder. If he does so, he will alienate his family, and it will mean the end for citizens' assemblies - a form of direct democracy which many believe could be the silver bullet to avert a climate crisis. The audience are invited to help the DPP make the decision via a voting app and slips on their free programme which provides more information.
Murder In The Citizens' Jury: A 25 Minute Dramatic Monologue With Q&A
Listening For Better Hearing; An Interactive Event Discussing Lifelong Hearing And Brain Health.
Age: All people are welcome.
Type: Other
Host: Dr Kate Hough, Research Fellow Dr Tracey Newman, Professor
Date and Time (UK Time):26/10/2023 17:45 - 19:45
Building 100, Room 4013, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, S017 1BJ
Free
Summary
An information evening to explore exhibits about hearing, looking after our brain and cochlear implants. There will be a presentation with a guest speaker followed by an interactive panel discussion led by questions from the audience.
At the exhibits you will discover more about the world of hearing, cochlear implants and brain health. You will be able to explore everyday noises, find out what sounds might be damaging our ears and the things we can do to protect, preserve, and support our hearing health as we move through life. You will also be able to find out more about local community groups and services related to hearing and brain health.
Participants will get the chance to hear about people's experiences of changes in hearing and brain health, deafness, and cochlear implants from the people with lived experience alongside professionals in the field.
Description
Hearing loss affects up to 11 million people in the UK. It is often seen as something that just happens with age. Poorly managed or untreated hearing loss is associated with poorer outcomes in education and employment, and can be detrimental to a person's mental, emotional, and physical health. It increases the risk of depression and is the biggest, modifiable risk factor for dementia.
Hearing loss is perceived as a minor and inevitable inconvenience, hearing aids are seen as something for much older adults, and the understanding of how and when to access hearing health care is limited, and then tricky to navigate once inside the healthcare system.
Early intervention, use of personal protective equipment, hearing tests and the uptake of hearing aids and cochlear implants could reduce the otherwise detrimental effects of loss of hearing and improve quality of life. Despite effective interventions being available there is poor awareness and a reluctance to engage with them.
We have been engaging with communities in Southampton to meet people where they are, to listen and spark conversations around hearing and brain health. We have seen the value of this and want to continue these conversations at this event.
This event will draw together, share, and explore some of the learning through research that has been gleaned from working with members of local community groups in the community and from the lived experience of members of ALL_EARS our hearing loss PPIE group. You will have the opportunity to talk to professionals in the field of hearing and brain health, alongside speak to and hear from people with real life, lived experience of hearing and brain health.
Listening For Better Hearing; An Interactive Event Discussing Lifelong Hearing And Brain Health.
Pupil Voice For Promoting Inclusion In Schools
Age: Open to members of Senior Leaderships Teams and teachers (early years, primary, secondary, special schools), FE lecturers, academics, parents, Local Authority, other organisations that work with children and young people
Type: Discussion/Debate
Host: Kiki Messiou, Professor of Education
Date and Time (UK Time):01/11/2023 15:30 - 17:00
St. John's Primary and Nursery School, French Street, Old Town, Southampton, SO14 2AU
Free
Summary
Join us to enjoy a display of posters summarising work completed in five schools, between 15:30 - 16:00, and having informal discussion with teachers that led the process. Between 16:00 - 17:00, you will discover through short presentations, videos, and a Q&A, how inclusion can be promoted in schools through engagement with pupils' voices.
Description
The event will present the findings of a project , led by Professor Kiki Messiou, building on the findings of her international research.
The schools were involved in collaborative action research and focused on the following broad question: "How can we promote inclusion in schools through an engagement with pupils' voices?"
Each school identified an area of focus that related to inclusion and agreed a plan of how
they would explore this, using the pupil voice lens and participatory research approaches. In this way, solutions to the identified areas were addressed through active participation of children and teachers.
Benefits of attending: Find out how you can involve children and young people in schools, in order to address issues that may be of concern, as well as explore how existing learning and teaching practices can be developed through child-teacher collaborations.
What to expect: Explore different examples from each of the schools about how they approached the work within their own context. For example, one school focused on identifying barriers for boys' writing, another one focused on raising children's aspirations, whilst another focused on raising children's confidence. Pupil voice activities and dialogues between teachers and students were crucial for promoting inclusion and addressing each of the identified areas in each school.
Partner Schools include:
St John's Primary School
Mason Moor Primary School
Redbridge Primary School
St Mary's Primary School
Wordsworth Primary School
Pupil Voice For Promoting Inclusion In Schools
Knowing Your Legal Rights In A Medical Setting: An Empowering Workshop Using Films And Art To Inform Young People And Children About Their Legal Rights As A Patient.
Age: Invitation only. For groups working with children and young people.
Type: Participatory/Interactive
Host: Dr Rebecca Limb, Lecturer in Children's Medical Law at Southampton University
Date and Time (UK Time):31/10/2023 00:00 - 00:00
TBC
Free
Summary
This fun and interactive workshop will use the mediums of films and art to help children and young people learn more about their medical law rights so they leave the workshop feeling more empowered than when they arrived about seeking medical advice and/or treatment in the future. This is a safe space for them to explore and ask questions about their rights as young patients.
No medical experience or pre-existing medical conditions is required to attend the event. This event is designed to empower them for a time when they may seek medical advice from a pharmacist, GP, doctor or other healthcare professional at any time in their life.
Description
An interactive one-off workshop to help young people and children reflect on their medical law rights and to equip them with the information about their rights so they feel more empowered than when they arrived about seeking medical advice and/or treatment in the future. This is a safe space for you to explore and ask questions about your rights as young patients.
Knowing Your Legal Rights In A Medical Setting: An Empowering Workshop Using Films And Art To Inform Young People And Children About Their Legal Rights As A Patient.
Crafting For Wellbeing
Age: General public, people with lived mental health experience and students.
Type: Participatory/Interactive
Host: Dr Emma Palmer-Cooper, Lecturer in Psychology, University of Southampton. Evie Woodford, Psychology Graduate and Craft demonstrator. Dr Rachel Dadswell, Principal Teaching Fellow and Occupational Therapist.
Date and Time (UK Time):23/10/2023 13:30 - 13:30
- Portswood Library, Portswood Road, Portswood, SO17 2NG. - Shirley Library, Shirley Precinct, Shirley, Southampton, SO15 5LL. - Hartley Library, University Road, Highfield, SO17 1BJ
Free
Summary
A series of workshops to utilising craft-based activities to discover the potential short-term benefits of crafting on wellbeing and why longer-term practice is encouraged. Participants can expect, colouring in, paper craft, drawing and yarn-based activities!
Crafting for Wellbeing - Hartley Library - Mon, 23rd Oct 2023, 13:30 - 14:30 and Wed, 25th Oct 2023, 13:30 - 14:30
Crafting for Wellbeing - Portswood Library - Tue, 7 Nov 2023, 13:30 - 14:30
Crafting for Wellbeing - Shirley Library - Tue, 14 Nov 2023, 13:30 - 14:30
Crafting for Wellbeing - Newbury Library - Fri 17th Nov 2023, 12:30 - 13:30
Description
Crafts such as knitting and crochet, and other creative activities like colouring-in and drawing, have been said to promote good mental health and wellbeing. Research from our group and others has demonstrated that when these activities are done in a purposeful and mindful way, they can improve well-being and reduce stress, across cultures and societal groups. Our workshops aim to demonstrate 'mindful crafting' and encourage you to support your wellbeing using these activities.
Crafting For Wellbeing
Life Through My Lens: Tackling Weight And Unemployment
Age: All
Type: Exhibition
Host: Bournemouth University
Date and Time (UK Time):31/10/2023 09:00 - 17:30
Gather Space, Dolphin Centre BH15 1SZ Poole , Dorset, United Kingdom
Free
Summary
An exhibition exploring the link between excess weight and unemployment - and how research could tackle the problem through positive lifestyle change. This exhibition will showcase the photography and stories of people who were involved in a research project called ASPIRE, which supported people who were unemployed and living with overweight to develop new skills and confidence.
Drop in at any time throughout the day, no booking required.
Description
The research
Obesity and unemployment are linked problems that harm our health, happiness, and lifespan. They can cause or result from each other. Research shows that long-term joblessness, insecure work, and low income lead to poor health, obesity, and bad diets. These issues worsen with the current cost-of-living crisis. People in deprived areas and on low incomes face more barriers to healthy diets and suffer more health problems.
The Adding to Social capital and individual Potential In disadvantaged REgions (ASPIRE) project was a European-funded project to co-create activities to tackle obesity and unemployment. It targeted adults who were jobless or overweight. The project helped participants grow fresh food, learn new skills, boost their self-confidence, diet, and wellbeing. By living healthier and learning more, they could improve their confidence, wellbeing, weight, activity, work, volunteering, or training.
The exhibition
In order to find out whether these activities helped participants or not, the researchers talked to participants using photography. This method is called Photovoice and helps participants to share their experiences by taking photos that show their experience and gives participants a voice.
They found that, before coming to ASPIRE, a lot of the participants experienced significant challenges with unemployment, healthy weight status with underlying causes linked to mental wellbeing, anxiety, depression and hopelessness. Taking part in ASPIRE led to a lot of positive results including improved mental wellbeing, self-efficacy, value of healthy produce, cooking and eating and an overall sense of hopefulness. Participants also enjoyed taking the photos which provided them an opportunity to reflect on their progress.
This exhibition will show photos and stories from the ASPIRE photovoice study and provide an opportunity for you to talk directly to the researchers from the project and some of the participants, too.
Life Through My Lens: Tackling Weight And Unemployment
Two Tone Towns: A Social History Of Ska In Dorset
Age: .
Type: Other
Host: Bournemouth University
Date and Time (UK Time):04/11/2023 19:00 - 21:00
The Black Cherry - Comedy Club, Theatre, Cafe & Bar 643 Christchurch Road Boscombe BH1 4AP
Free
Summary
Explore the history of Ska and Two-Tone music in Dorset through an exciting evening of live music, interviews, films and much more.
Description
Join us for a curated performance, bringing together music, photography, spoken word and interviews to showcase how the Two-Tone movement and Ska music offered alternative cultural opportunities for British youth outside our cities, particularly in rural locations like Dorset.
With live music provided by a Ska band, as well as interviews with those who were part of the movement locally, we'll explore the development of youth culture and its role in affecting social change - bringing this important chapter in British social history to life.
Two Tone Towns: A Social History Of Ska In Dorset
UK Drowning: Turning The Tide
Age: All
Type: Hands On,Participatory/Interactive
Host: Bournemouth University
Date and Time (UK Time):04/11/2023 10:00 - 12:00
RNLI College, West Qua Road, Poole, BH15 1HZ
Free
Summary
Cold water immersion is popular for wellbeing, but it can be risky. Discover how your body reacts to cold water and how to stay safe.
Description
Cold water swimming and therapy are increasingly popular ways to boost wellbeing, but they're not without risks. Find out what happens to your body when you enter cold water and learn more about the risk factors for drowning.
Join us at the RNLI College for a mixture of short talks, activities and demonstrations to discover what happens to your body when you enter cold water, and how to keep yourself and others safe. You'll also hear about the latest research into drowning prevention and how Bournemouth University is helping to inform water safety measures.
UK Drowning: Turning The Tide
Long-COVID: Myths, Misconceptions And Lived Experiences
Age: All
Type: Virtual/Online Activity
Host: Bournemouth University
Date and Time (UK Time):11/11/2023 13:00 - 14:30
Free
Summary
Long-COVID is estimated to affect 1.9 million people in the UK, with many reporting that the condition severely impacts their ability to perform everyday tasks. But how much do we know about Long-COVID, and how do we support those who have it?
Description
In this online event, we will shed some light on this issue by debunking some common myths and misconceptions about Long-COVID, and by sharing our own research findings on how people with Long-COVID (and other post-viral conditions) interact with their healthcare providers.
We will also have a panel discussion with experts and advocates, covering both lived and professional experience of post-viral illness, such as Dr Charles Shepherd, Trustee and Honorary Medical Adviser to the ME Association. We will discuss how to improve the quality of care for people with Long-COVID, what the latest policy developments mean for them, and what resources and support are available for them in the meantime.
Long-COVID: Myths, Misconceptions And Lived Experiences
The Magic Of Play: Enhancing Wellbeing During Medical Interventions
Age: All
Type: Participatory/Interactive
Host: Bournemouth University
Date and Time (UK Time):11/11/2023 10:00 - 12:00
Bournemouth Gateway Building 12 Saint Paul's Lane Bournemouth BH8 8GP
Free
Summary
Explore how magic and play therapy can support wellbeing during hospitalisation and medical appointments.
Description
An event for health care practitioners and those working with people from vulnerable groups, including children.
Explore how magic and play therapy can support wellbeing during hospitalisation and medical appointments.
Take part in interactive magic activities to see how they can help promote distraction from pain and anxiety and learn how knitted toy characters, LegoŽ Serious Play, and virtual reality can promote wellbeing in clinical settings and encourage therapeutic communication.
The Magic Of Play: Enhancing Wellbeing During Medical Interventions
The Good Life: Consumerism And The Planet
Age: This event is aimed at young people aged 16-18 interested in marketing, communications and sustainability. It's a great opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge outside of your usual education, as well as an insight into what it's like to study marketing or communication at university.
Type: Participatory/Interactive
Host: Bournemouth University
Date and Time (UK Time):25/10/2023 13:00 - 16:00
Durley Chine Environmental Hub, Westbourne, Bournemouth BH2 5JF
Free
Summary
A workshop exploring the meaning of 'the good life' in marketing, with opportunities to use creative methods to bring your ideas to life.
Description
Advertising is designed to make us think that owning the latest product will bring us happiness and make our life better. But the climate emergency has highlighted the need to purchase responsibly to protect our planet.
This workshop will explore the concept of how 'the good life' is shown in marketing and reflecting on what this means for us as individuals, as a society, and for our planet, through activities like;
Creating collages that depict what 'The Good Life' looks like
Reflecting on what responsible consumption means
Designing ads that encourage consumers to purchase responsibly in order to live 'The Good Life'
You'll have the chance to use creative methods to bring your ideas to life and think more critically about responsible consumption and the way advertising works.
The Good Life: Consumerism And The Planet
Sharing The Forest: Should We Extend The Right To Roam?
Age: Of particular interest to those with a stake in land access, for example walkers, land owners, wildlife watchers, forestry and land management, wild campers.
Type: Discussion/Debate
Host: Bournemouth University and University of Southampton
Date and Time (UK Time):15/11/2023 19:00 - 20:30
Lyndhurst Community Centre, Main Car Park, Lyndhurst SO43 7NY
Free
Summary
Join legal experts from Bournemouth University and University of Southampton as they discuss the issues that arise from potentially extending the right to roam - from balancing competing interests to regulation and enforcement - and debate the challenges and benefits of opening up our natural environment to all.
Description
Currently, only 8% of England is covered by the 'right to roam', which allows anyone to access areas of countryside, no matter who owns it. This means most of the country is not currently accessible to the public. The New Forest may be more open than many areas, but it comes with its own set of traditional and modern rules for access.
Join legal experts from Bournemouth University and University of Southampton to explore how law and regulation can help manage the use of these unique ecosystems for the myriad of potential users - farmers, local inhabitants, visitors, walkers, cyclists, and the wild and domestic animals and plant life that rely on the forest for a home, food, recreation or rest.
Who's leading the event?
Andrea Jarman JD PhD, Senior Lecturer In Law, Bournemouth University
Helen Carr, Professor of Property Law & Sc Justice, University of Southampton
Sarah Nield, Professor in Property Law, University of Southampton
You may also be interested in the accompanying event 'Sharing the coast: should we extend the right to roam?' taking place on Thursday 2nd November at the Branksome Dene Room, overlooking Bournemouth beach.
Sharing The Forest: Should We Extend The Right To Roam?
Sharing The Coast: Should We Extend The Right To Roam?
Age: Adults
Type: Discussion/Debate
Host: Bournemouth University and University of Southampton
Date and Time (UK Time):02/11/2023 19:00 - 20:30
Branksome Dene Room, Pinewood Road, Westbourne, BH13 6FB
Free
Summary
Currently, only 8% of England is covered by the 'right to roam', which allows anyone to access areas of countryside, no matter who owns it. This means most of the country is not currently accessible to the public. Bournemouth is an urban area, but its heathlands and coastline present their own circumstances.
Description
Join legal experts from Bournemouth University and University of Southampton, as well as representatives from other organisations including Neil Garrick-Maidment from the Seahorse Trust. Together, we'll explore how law and regulation can help manage the use of these unique ecosystems for the myriad of potential users - local inhabitants, visitors, walkers, boaters, surfers, and the wild and domestic animals and plant life, that rely on the coast for a home, food, recreation or rest.
You may also be interested in the accompanying event 'Sharing the forest: should we extend the right to roam?', taking place on Wednesday 15th November at Lyndhurst Community Centre.
Who's leading the event?
Andrea Jarman JD PhD, Senior Lecturer In Law, Bournemouth University
Helen Carr, Professor of Property Law & Sc Justice, University of Southampton
Sarah Nield, Professor in Property Law, University of Southampton
Sharing The Coast: Should We Extend The Right To Roam?
Code Goshawk: An Outdoor Escape Room Experience
Age: Young People and Adults
Type: Participatory/Interactive
Host: The project was led by Dr. Ran Peleg and Prof. Marcus Grace, both science education researchers from the Southampton Education School. The activity will be run by UG students from the School. For any questions please e-mail r.peleg@soton.ac.uk
Date and Time (UK Time):08/11/2023 10:00 - 14:00
Building 32, University Road, Southampton, SO17 1BJ
Free
Summary
An escape game that takes place outside. Working in a group you have one hour to save raptor (birds of prey) eggs which were illegally poached by solving a number of mystery puzzles. Will you manage to save them all in an hour? Make sure you are prepared by wearing appropriate clothes for the weather.
Description
The game was co-designed by a team from the UoS, the RSPB and young people. It focuses on issues in bird conservation and on the local environment.
Wednesday 8th November - 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00
Thursday 9th November - 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00
Wednesday 15th November - 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00
Thursday 16th November - 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00
