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University of Leeds Host Institution for ESRC Festival of Social Science

Date

The Festival of Social Science explores the world of social science, from how society has shaped our local areas to behaviours that help fight climate change.  This year a number of events will focus on lifelong wellbeing, exploring mental and physical health at all ages and celebrating the 75th anniversary of the NHS.

Running from 21 October to 17 November 2023, there are hundreds of events delivered by 42 partner institutions.

Cheryl Harris, Festival of Social Science Manager, based in the Leeds Social Sciences Institute at the University of Leeds said,
"We are delighted that this year the University of Leeds has the role of being the host institute for the Festival.  This involves overseeing the organisation of the festival across all the UK partner universities, and ensuring its successful delivery on behalf of the ESRC."

Researchers from the University of Leeds are running the following events:

Her City - Making Women Visible In the Design of Open Spaces Two workshops will focus on how residents, particularly women, can contribute to shaping the areas they are living in, working and socialising to help make places that they would like to belong to.  Dates are 30th October and 13th November, 12pm - 1.30pm.  To register for one of the workshops please click here.

Opening Doors To Health Self-Management In Culturally Diverse Communities  This is a marketplace event with stalls which include healthy food samples, demonstrations of newly developed tools, exercise activities and more.  The event is targeted at third sector organisations that support culturally diverse communities, as well as policy makers from statutory partners in Leeds.  The event would be of particular interest to those leading on work to improve health inequalities in the city.  Date 7th November, 2pm - 4pm at the Hamara Healthy Living Centre, Leeds, LS11 6RD.  To register please click here.

Supporting Young People Who Have An Illness A team of people from the University of Leeds and the Teenage Cancer Trust Charity are holding an upbeat event with a 'can do' attitude celebrating the things that people can do to help a young person living with cancer or other illness.  Many young people then find returning to ‘normal’, such as mixing normally again with people who haven’t had their experience, is difficult. This might be in their social lives but also in employment, education or even their family.

There are relatively simple things the general public, employers, educators and our community organisations can do, to better support young people who are living with illness.  Date is 8th November, 5.30pm - 7.30pm, Room 1.08, Parkinson Building, University of Leeds.  Book your place here.

Midlife Lows In Human Wellbeing A light-hearted look at what the social science says about our (un)happiness in midlife.  An engaging presentation of the science around why humans (on average) experience midlife lows in their wellbeing, and how these lows might be mitigated.  Research from several disciplines and areas will be accessibly discussed.  This will be a stimulating, thought provoking event.  Audience viewpoints and reaction to the social science findings encouraged.  Date is 9th November, 6pm - 8pm, G.02, Maurice Keyworth Building, University of Leeds.  Book your place here.