Thursday, 28 October 2021
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.
Nottingham experts will host the following free, online events open to the general public:
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."
Story credits
More information is available from Paula Gurteen in the Faculty of Social Sciences at paula.gurteen@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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