Annual festival to engage public in fascinating world of social science research

Members of the public are invited to a week of events showcasing the impact of social science research at the University of Plymouth.

Running from Saturday 3 to Saturday 10 November 2018, the Festival of Social Science 2018 includes seminars, exhibitions, workshops and films that bridge the gap between research and everyday life. All address the questions: “What is social science, and what does it do for us?”

The week is part of the Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) national Festival of Social Science, in which the University plays a key role as one of a handful of regional festival centres.

With funding from the ESRC, academics in disciplines from law and politics to human geography are putting on a range of engaging, free events for the general public and young people.

Highlights this year include an in-depth examination of the problems of illicit salvage from military wrecks at sea, led by researchers from the School of Law, Criminology and Government. Exhibitions in Plymouth and Cornwall take place alongside a witness seminar, bringing together key experts in what promises to be an important discussion on this global issue.

Another event focuses on the state of the global food system, with specialists from the University and further afield proposing alternative models for food production and consumption. Elsewhere, there is a premiere screening of a film made at the University looking at the career of turn-of-the-century police Chief Constable Joseph Sowerby, and an event exploring the best ways to help people with dementia who live in rural areas, along with much more. 

Professor Jerry Roberts, Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Research and Enterprise said: 

“Once again we have worked with the ESRC to organise a varied and interesting range of events for this year’s festival, in which we put on show some of our research and explain the impact it has on everyone’s lives.

“Members of the public will be warmly welcomed, so please have a look at the programme and come along to anything that interests you. We look forward to the opportunity to share and discuss our work.”