ESRC Festival Of Social Science 2008
Posted by Lockergnome
Social science plays an important part in all our lives. It shows that science is not just test tubes and technology but involves people and society too. It helps us to make sense of the key issues in the changing world around us such as the implications of climate change, nuclear power or nanotechnology; or the implications of social issues such as ageing , immigration and population change.
Running from Friday 7th March to Sunday 16th March, the ESRC Festival of Social Science, organised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), will celebrate some of the very best British social science research, highlighting the ways in which it makes a difference to all our lives.
More than 30 UK towns and cities, from Aberdeen to Bognor Regis and Belfast to Cardiff, are hosting events during the Festival. Over 90 events are being organised during the Festival ranging from conferences to workshops and debates, exhibitions, film screenings, policy briefings and much more. Plus if you can’t make it, there are even virtual events with one taking place in Second Life.
Whether it’s school children tramping through the Peak District on a ‘Moorland Walk’ or getting to grips with why economy is important; finding out how you could save money on your energy bills or exploring the impact of Alzheimer’s, this Festival has something to capture everyone’s interest.
Broadly speaking, social scientists study society, how we behave and our impact on the world around us.
Professor Ian Diamond, Chief Executive of the Economic and Social Research Council points out that: “We fund world class social scientists to deliver the highest quality research on the most pressing economic and social issues that we face. Some of our researchers are tackling problems close to home such as poverty, health, education and crime. Others are addressing key conundrums on the global stage - intractable issues such as the environment, terrorism, sustainability and the world’s poor. But, whether close to home or further afield, our aim is to fund research that makes a tangible difference to people’s lives.”
The events during the Festival will touch on many issues affecting Britain today such as:
- Global uncertainties - assessing the impact of global challenges such as security, poverty, and environmental degradation
- Street fictions and realities: childhood experiences on film
- Learning with your children
- Does the UK need nuclear power”
- Food for the future - is organic enough”
- It’s my future: being deaf in 2018
- Imagine this: living with dementia
- Choosing the best energy deal for you
- Siblings: the significance of brothers and sisters
- Building a better partner: public services and social enterprise
- The future of low wage work in Europe
Worlds smallest movie festival
SimCity For Real
Key Science Web Sites Buried In Information Avalanche
Is Science Fiction About to Go Blind?
It’s Not Easy Being Green
National Centre For e-Social Science (NCeSS)
National Centre for eSocial Science (NCeSS)
Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy (ISERP)
Social-Informatics
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