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ESRC Festival of Social Science 3-10 November 2018

The University of Birmingham is hosting its most ambitious Festival of Social Science yet, taking place from the 3-10 November on campus and in the city centre, with a range of talks and debates, film screenings, exhibitions and more.

The Festival of Social Science, run in partnership with the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), will focus on how research is changing the world. From discovering how we can better support deaf education with a showing of the Oscar Award winning film the Silent Child, to promoting positive mental health and learning how we can overcome the generational divide, the ESRC Festival of Social Science celebrates how pioneering social, economic and political research impacts on everyday life.

From an event on campus about fake news and how to spot it, to an interactive workshop in the centre of Birmingham with artists on the importance of diversity in leadership across the West Midlands, there is an event for all ages and interests.

Professor Richard Black, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Birmingham said

“The ESRC Festival of Social Science is an ideal opportunity for the public to engage with our ground breaking social sciences research and to talk to our researchers about what they do and why they are doing it.

“Our day-to-day lives are affected by the issues we will be focusing on; from what it means to be a carer, the crisis in large retail chains, to Brexit and how to discuss terrorism with young people. We hope there is something for everyone.”

Professor Kiran Trehan, Director of the ‘We-Lead’ centre at the University who is taking part in the festival commented:
“The Festival is an inspiring week of exciting exhibitions, debates and performances which pioneers leading research and I am delighted to be taking part. ‘Leaders Unlike You’ will shed light on the importance of diversity and inclusivity in leadership and, through a range of artistic performances, showcase how diversity is being reimagined to create political, social and economic change within the West Midlands and beyond.”

View the full programme of events. 

For more information, please contact Hasan Salim Patel, Communications Manager on or on +44(0)121 415 8134.

As part of the Festival, Professor Kiran Trehan will be showcasing 2 videos, the first from the Making Space project, which celebrates the achievements of inspiring women from the University of Birmingham and the second, provides an introduction to the diverse nature of the Bullring Markets.