The ESRC Festival of Social Science offers a fascinating insight into some of the country's leading social science research and how it influences our social, economic and political lives – both now and in the future.
The annual festival explores the world of social science, from how society has shaped our local areas to behaviours that help fight climate change.
The festival is an opportunity for our researchers to engage with non-academic audiences, increasing awareness of the impact of social science on society and the economy.
In turn, events allow the audience to meet the researchers, engage in research activities and potentially influence research.
The 2024 festival took place from 19 October – 7 November. We have participated in the event since 2014.
Our Festival of Social Science 2024 events
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ESRC Festival of Social Science 2024 overview
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19 October: What’s Our Fascination with Footage of Tornados, Hurricanes and Floods?!
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Various dates: Discover the Impact of SHAPE Degrees
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23 October: Beyond the Beach: Uncovering the Global Sand Crisis
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23 October: 'Pieces of Us' – Objects of Matrescence
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23 October: Supporting Speech in Primary Schools
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6 November: Cool Kids Can Cook
Our Festival of Social Science 2023 events
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ESRC Festival of Social Science 2023 overview
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24 October: Exploring Plymouth through place-based learning for children and families
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25 October: FoodSEqual-Health – fresh street vegetable fair
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30 October – 3 November: 'Dear Government, this is the cost of living'
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31 October: Understanding and engaging with e-cargo bikes for sustainable city logistics
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3 November: Blooming Well – promoting wellbeing for people living with cancer
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14 November: Understanding health inequalities in coastal communities: towards a co-designed coastal classification
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14 November: RAF Harrowbeer – an interactive Second World War exhibit
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16 November: Arts and culture for wellbeing and mental health
Our Festival of Social Science 2022 events
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ESRC Festival of Social Science 2022 overview
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26 October: How to tackle food crisis from a value chain perspective
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26 October: Effective participation of vulnerable suspects in police interviews
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31 October – 12 November: Processed in Plymouth: Convict transportation from the West Country 1778–1868
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2 November: Accessing Legal Aid: the South West local dimensions
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2 November: From Field to Plate – where does my dinner come from?
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2 November: Supercharging the South West?
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9 November: Strengthening partnerships with organisations and the public to tackle male violence against women and girls in Plymouth
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9 November: The Justice Files Film Series – Episode 2: The Strange Case of the Snail in a Bottle
Our Festival of Social Science 2021 events
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ESRC Festival of Social Science 2021 overview
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2 November: Visualising climate - Young people's responses to the climate emergency (Photos © CareyMarks.co.uk)
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3 November: The Justice Files Episode 1 (film premiere)
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10 November: The Justice Files Episode 1 (live streaming)
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11 November: The Justice Files Episode 1 (live streaming)
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17 November: Enhancing past sacrifices
Our Festival of Social Science 2020 events
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ESRC Festival of Social Science 2020 overview
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7–14 November: To quarantine or not to quarantine? That was the question!
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7–15 November: i-Poems Finishing Time
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9–13 November: Interactive Crime Scene Event
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10 November: The harms of hate against gypsies and travellers
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11 November: The Social Science social
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12–15 November: The Social Science social: New and early career researchers
Our Festival of Social Science 2019 events
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ESRC Festival of Social Science 2019 overview
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2 November: What is in the mind of a good navigator?
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4 November: Transgender pasts and futures
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4 November: Film screening - Reclaim the Frame: Seahorse - The Dad Who Gave Birth
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4 November: Negotiation in an age of political crisis
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6 November: Underwater cultural heritage: Communication and challenges
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6 November: A celebration of social science
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6 November: A Returned Pilgrim: Nancy Astor & Plymouth
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7 November: Law, crime and dark tourism in the South West (witness seminar 1)
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7 November: Law, crime and dark Tourism in the South West (witness seminar 2)
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8 November: An exhibition of creative ways with food - photo, film and collage
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8 November: A Returned Pilgrim: Nancy Astor & Plymouth
Our Festival of Social Science 2018 events
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ESRC Festival of Social Science 2018 overview
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23 October – 10 November: Maritime military heritage: Illicit salvage and its consequences (poster exhibitions)
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6 November: How Do You Fix A Town Like Plymouth?
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6 November: ESRC Festival of Social Science 2018 celebration
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7 November: Maritime military heritage: Illicit salvage and its consequences (witness seminar)
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8 November: Alternative solutions: New ways of food production and consumption
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8-9 November: Way Tales - Ethnographies of emotion in guided walks
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8 November: Film screening - Arcadia
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9 November: Living with dementia: Rural issues and solutions
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9 November: Film screening - From the Sea to the Land Beyond
Our Festival of Social Science 2017 events
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ESRC Festival of Social Science 2017 overview
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4 November: Brexitannia – film screening and Q&A
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4 November: Imagery in action: How mental imagery supports action
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6 November: Purpose-driven marketing management
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7 November: Everyday offending in Devonport past and present
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7 November: Science in schools
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7 November: Tuning into music
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8 November: Brexit – Meeting the challenge in the South West
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8 November: ESRC Festival of Social Science 2017 celebration event
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10 November: Enterprising together
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10 November: Digital rights
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10 November: Good work is...? The future of employment
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10 November: Supporting young people from eastern Europe during Brexit
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10 November: Purposeful participatory food policy planning: Food as a Lifestyle Motivator Phase 3
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11 November: (Re)Purposed communities – Law, history and heritage in Devonport
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11 November: Robots, apps and gadgets
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11 November: Creative imagination, imagery games and creative movement improvisation
Our Festival of Social Science 2016 events
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ESRC Festival of Social Science 2016 overview
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1–18 November: Let's like social science
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5 November: Film screening – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
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8 November: Treasure Chest 500
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9 November: Spotlight on crime
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9 November: Policing piracy (seminar 1)
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9 November: Policing piracy (seminar 2)
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9 November: ESRC Festival of Social Science 2016 celebration event
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9–11 November: Radio Cognovia at Red House Radio
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10 November: The real Game of Thrones
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9 November: Film screening – A Hijacking/Kapringen
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11 November: Awaken the spirit of discovery in science outside!
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11 November: Plymouth's great food vision(aries)
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12 November: Piracy and Plymouth – privateering, profiting and policing
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13 November: Film screening – The Princess Bride
Our Festival of Social Science 2015 events
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ESRC Festival of Social Science 2015 overview
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7 November: Sustaining language learning – developing global citizens
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7 and 14 November: Imagery in action
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9 November: Engaging individuals in responses to climate change
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10 November: Social enterprise in the context of new national post-Election policy
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12 November: People management in the modern workplace
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12 November: Natural Connections – key findings conference
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12 November: Realising sustainable business models – marketing and leadership
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13 November: Food as a Lifestyle Motivator (FLM)
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14 November: Digital neighbourhoods network event
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14 November: Plymouth past: sustainable future
Plymouth Past: Sustainable Future
Let Plymouth Law School take you on a virtual tour around Plymouth past and present, matching sustainability to our city.
Presented by Professor Kim Stevenson and Rob Giles.
Part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2015.
Our Festival of Social Science 2014 events
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All week (1–8 November 2014): Reporting on research in progress
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3 November 2014: Doing business for good – a guide to social enterprise
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3 November 2014: Bridging the Gap – do practitioners recognise academic accounts of international politics?
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4 November 2014: Risk culture in financial organisations
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4 November 2014: Young people and technology – pros, cons and the future
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4 November 2014: Digital lives and digital risk
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4 November 2014: Prospects for the British General Election
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4 November 2014: 'Profoundly social': social science conversations with health and social care – 'Integrated understanding, integrated care'
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5 November 2014: 'Profoundly social': social science conversations with health and social care – 'The sociological imagination and evidence-based practice'
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5 November 2014: Understanding and managing workplace conflict – managers wanted
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5 November 2014: Beating the bullies – resolving conflict at work
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5 November 2014: Challenging community perceptions of law and criminal justice
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6 November 2014: Making connections – the sustainable supply chain
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6 November 2014: How can marketing become a force for sustainability?
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7 November 2014: Bankers – the bad guys? Why do we have so many banking scandals and what should we do about it?