2025 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 'Our Working Lives'. With last year's festival theme being 'Our Digital Lives'.
AI + Imagination: Stories For A Greener Planet
Age: Children & families
Type: Participatory/Interactive
Host: Dr Bindi Shah, Associate Professor in Sociology, Dr Chiying Lam, Lecturer in Community Music & Social Justice, Dr Tuyen Nguyen, Lecturer in AI and social human-robot interactions, all at Southampton University
Date and Time (UK Time):28/10/2025 10:30 - 12:00
28/10/2025 13:30 - 15:00
BIPC Meeting Hub, Central Library, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LW
Summary
Join us for a free 90-minute creative workshop at Southampton Central Library, where children will explore climate action through storytelling and new technologies. The session includes guided story writing using Generative AI, image creation, and a live reading of each story by our friendly robot Buddy. Timings include short introductions to climate themes and storywriting, followed by hands-on creative activities on a laptop and a wrap-up with feedback. Families can receive a digital copy of their child's story after the event. No prior experience needed-just imagination and curiosity!
Description
This creative workshop invites children and families to explore climate action through storytelling and new technologies. Participants will reflect on environmental change by imagining characters and habitats, then use Generative AI tools to write and enhance their stories. The session introduces children to digital tools they may not have encountered before-helping build confidence and curiosity in a fun, inclusive setting. A highlight of the event is hearing their stories read aloud by Buddy, our friendly story-reading robot. Families will leave with a better understanding of how creativity and technology can come together to inspire climate action and learning-and a story to take home and share.
AI + Imagination: Stories For A Greener Planet
Be Flood Ready: Mapping, Managing, Responding
Age: Young People
Type: Other
Host: Sien van der Plank, environmental human geographer at the University of Southampton Lily Sharp, PhD student
Date and Time (UK Time):22/10/2025 15:16 - 18:00
Room 1061, Building 44, University Rd, Southampton SO17 1BJ
This event can be booked by secondary school teachers, by emailing morethanmaps@soton.ac.uk with student and staff numbers.
Summary
This two-part workshop provides school students with skills to create a map with key flood information about Southampton, and to engage in critical game play to explore flood adaptation. In Workshop 1, students will create a basic Story Map using ArcGIS Online with key information about flood risk, warnings, and preparedness advice in Southampton. Workshop 2 will focus on how people experience and respond to flooding, using critical climate games to tackle this challenging topic. The workshops will be highly interactive, with the emphasis on students learning mapping and critical thinking skills.
Description
We hear about flooding in the media regularly, whether in Southampton, elsewhere in England, or abroad. At this event, we invite you to learn geospatial and human research methods to learn more about past flooding to be better prepared for future flood events.
Be Flood Ready: Mapping, Managing, Responding
Neurodiverse Youth: Bridging Minds And Workplaces
Age: This event is designed to specifically engage with young people, of a post-compulsory education age, particularly with neurodiversity. The event is inclusive and there is no expectation that people will have received a formal diagnosis. This event can also be attractive to parents or carers who have young people joining workplaces, including apprenticeship, and who are looking for ways to support them in making this important transition. We will also encourage the participation of employers who needs to learn how to support neurodiverse employees
Type: Participatory/Interactive
Host: Trang Gardner Vu and Jane Parry are leading the event. Co-organised with Dr Brian Hracs, School of Geography and Environmental Science; Dr Yumei Yang, Business School, Bournemouth University, Dr Quynh Nguyen, Business School, Bournemouth University
Date and Time (UK Time):07/11/2025 11:00 - 14:30
October Books, 189 Portswood Rd, Portswood, Southampton SO17 2NF
Free
Summary
An interactive, in-person workshop designed for neurodivergent young people, their parents, and carers, exploring how neurodiversity is experienced in work and higher education. The event includes a 30-minute storytelling session where participants can share personal experiences, followed by a one-hour panel discussion featuring neurodivergent voices and expert speakers. After a lunch break, attendees will take part in a 45-minute interactive exercise to co-design inclusive workplaces. The workshop offers a welcoming space for open conversation, practical insights, and collaborative learning.
Description
Discover the realities of neurodiversity in the workplace and higher education through lived experience, expert insight, and hands-on activities. This in-person workshop explores challenges like the autism pay gap, access to support, and building inclusive environments.
Issues to discuss might include:
a. Access to Work scheme - grant for practice support at work, mental health support, support with job interviews;
b. The legal position regarding diagnosis/pre-diagnosis and getting workplace support;
c. Identifying additional needs and what reasonable adjustments around neurodiversity might look like (for both young people and employers);
d. Building a self-supporting network.
Neurodiverse Youth: Bridging Minds And Workplaces
AI And The Future Of (good) Work
Age: All
Type: Discussion/Debate
Host: Dr Joe Atkinson, Associate Professor of Employment Law, University of Southampton
Date and Time (UK Time):24/10/2025 18:00 - 19:30
Sir James Matthews Building 157-187 Above Bar Street Southampton SO14 7NN
Free
Summary
Join us to consider how AI is changing the future of work. The event will feature expert presentations, an open Q&A, and a collaborative discussion on the steps needed to secure a fair and decent future of work. We'll conclude with refreshments and networking opportunities, offering space for reflection and connection.
Description
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of our everyday lives. This is resulting in the workplace being transformed, as AI technologies are reshaping how jobs are carried out, monitored, and accessed. As a result of this widespread adoption, principles of good work are being challenged. Additionally, the benefits of these technologies are not spread evenly across the UK.
In this event, leading experts will highlight the latest trends in how AI is affecting workers' rights, well-being, and productivity. Together we'll explore how adoption of these technologies is unfolding both nationally and here in Southampton, and discuss what can be done to ensure everyone has access to good work.
