University of Nottingham: Nottingham experts join nationwide celebration of social science research with event series
Academics from the University of Nottingham are joining forces with researchers across the UK to deliver a series of events as part of the nation’s biggest celebration of social sciences research.
The Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) Festival of Social Science will run from Monday 1 to Tuesday 30 November, with more than 400 free public and youth events on offer.
Social scientists from the University of Nottingham are leading on 11 free public events as part of the Festival programme, on topics ranging from sustainable tourism; the post-Covid, post-Brexit Midlands economy; forced marriage and climate change; and equality, diversity and inclusion in working lives.
The festival, now in its 19th year, offers an insight into some of the country’s leading social science and economics research and how it influences everyone’s lives:
at work
in school
when raising children
in businesses and the public sector
across our communities.
To reflect the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) taking place from 31 October to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, there will be various events themed around social science and the environment.
Professor Todd Landman, Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Social Sciences, said: “This year’s festival coinciding with the climate change conference, COP26, is an opportune moment for social scientists to offer insights into their latest research with a focus on climate, as well as the impact of Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
The University of Nottingham is home to world-leading research that helps to change lives and this is a great opportunity for us to share the valuable work our colleagues are contributing to wider society.
Professor Todd Landman, Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Social Sciences
Nottingham experts will host the following free, online events open to the general public:
Forced Marriage and Climate Change – Wednesday 3 November
Another Queer World is Possible – Tuesday 9 November
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Work: Work-life Balance – Tuesday 9 November
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Work: Gendered constructions of risk in the financial sector – Thursday 11 November
Impact of Covid-19 on People at Risk from Forced Marriage – Thursday 11 November
The University Getaway: A Sustainable Tourism Space – Friday 12 – Sunday 14 November
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Work: How is Covid-19 impacting women and men’s working lives in the UK? – Friday 19 November
Growing Green Films – Tuesday 23 November
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Work: Ageism at work – Thursday 25 November
What’s Next for the Midlands’ Economy after Covid-19 and Brexit? – Tuesday 30 November
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Work: Inclusion in the Digital Workplace post-Covid-19 – Tuesday 30 November
In collaboration with Nottingham City Council, the university is also using the Festival’s focus to bring sustainability issues to local school pupils in Years 5 and 6, inspiring young people to think about the action they can take in their own communities.
Professor Alison Park, interim ESRC Executive Chair, said: “The ESRC Festival of Social Science is one of the largest co-ordinated endeavours undertaken by an economics and social science community and is indicative of ESRC’s commitment to public engagement.
“This year the Festival will run throughout November and there will be a mixture of digital and face to face events, with a focus on the environment to mark the UK’s hosting of COP26.
“The Festival is a valuable way of showing how economic and social research helps us to better understand people, businesses, institutions, communities and wider social phenomena, and informs decisions that can affect millions of lives. We hope the events raise awareness about how research can improve outcomes across society, inspiring some young people to pursue a career in research, and others to draw on research to understand people and the world around us.”