Fascinating festival will bring social science research to life

4th November 2016

The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University have teamed up to hold a number of exciting events during the annual Festival of Social Science (5-12 November 2016) Public lectures and debates, film screenings and exhibitions will take place in the city Attendees will discover how social science research influences everything including our health and wellbeing, the economy, and the cities which we live in A fascinating line-up of events examining the ideas that shape our everyday lives will be hosted across the city this week (5-12 November 2016) as part of this year's Festival of Social Science.

The event, hosted by the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, aims to provide an insight into the city's world-class social science research through a host of intriguing public lectures, debates, film screenings and exhibitions. The free Sheffield events are part of the Economic and Social Research Council's annual festival, now in its 14th year, which celebrates social science and the impact that the latest research findings have on all the big issues we face in our day-to-day lives. Professor Gill Valentine, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Sheffield, said: "The Faculty of Social Sciences is home to some of the world's leading social scientists. Our researchers are working across disciplines and countries with policy makers, businesses and communities, to make a difference to the world in which we live. -Attendees can come along and find out more about how innovative social science is helping to solve the problems we face as individuals and societies through an exciting, varied programme of events." This year's festival highlights include: Tuesday 8 November 2016 Disability on Screen A panel discussion will consider the representation of disabled people in the world of television and film. Speakers include Adam Pearson; actor and television producer who has worked on Channel 4's The Undateables and fronted BBC Three documentaries, The Ugly Face Of Disability Hate Crime and Adam Pearson: Freak Show. He will be joined by Ramy El-Bergamy, on-screen diversity executive at Channel 4; Helen Bullough, head of CBBC production and Professor Dan Goodley and Dr Kirsty Liddiard, from the University of Sheffield. Dan specialises in theorising and challenging the conditions of disablism while Kirsty researches disability, intimacy and austerity. Thursday 10 November 2016 Life at the Top: Views on British Society Today What is life at the top like today? A panel of speakers will discuss the gated communities of celebrities and the super rich, the privatisation of cities, and class in Britain 2016. They will focus on the kind of changes occurring primarily at the top of British society behind the gates of the wealthiest and most powerful sections of society. What impact do these changes have on social togetherness, fairness and opportunity? How should we understand these changes and what effect do they have on who 'we' are? Speakers include: Dr Ruth Penfold-Mounce (University of York); Anna Minton (The Guardian); Dr Niall Cunningham (University of Durham) and Professor Sarah Blandy (University of Sheffield). Arrivals: Making Sheffield Home Arrivals is an exhibition by Jeremy Abrahams, documenting and celebrating the diversity of Sheffield's population. Jeremy builds a picture of how the city's diversity was created by photographing people who arrived in Sheffield from another country throughout the period between 1945 and 2016. Therefore, the project has become a portrait of the city, of the pattern of migration and of 72 individuals. The University of Sheffield's Migration Research Group will join some of the migrants featured in the exhibition, in conversation. Attendees can hear the different individual stories and experiences of migrants living in Sheffield, ask questions, and join the Migration Research Group in a discussion about migration patterns globally Peter Wells, Professor of Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation at Sheffield Hallam University, said: "The Festival provides a really important platform to explore the world of social sciences in a very public forum, showcasing the best examples of projects and initiatives which are making a tangible difference to people's lives on a daily basis. "From autism in cinema to keeping warm in winter, and head injury awareness to reducing isolation in later life, this year's city-wide programme takes a fascinating look at developing real solutions to modern day issues, and we're really looking forward to being involved." Nicola Sturgeon, MSP, will also be giving a lecture at the University of Sheffield as part of the Festival. The First Minister of Scotland's sell-out talk titled 'Scotland and the UK: Economic Policy after the EU Referendum' is being held on Monday 5 November 2016. To view the full programme and to book free tickets visit: www.festivalofsocialscience.group.shef.ac.uk