09 March 2010
Public festival gives insight into science of society
The University of Sheffield will host to a range of engaging and entertaining events for the public during the next fortnight (12-20 March 2010), to celebrate the science of people, society and the changing world around us.
As part of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Festival of Social Science, the University will be holding several events in the community to showcase its world-class social science research and engage members of the public in this fascinating field.
The events will take a variety of formats from panel debates, to mobile workshops, business breakfasts, educational field trips and even a virtual event in Second Life. They will be aimed at a number of different audiences including the general public, policy makers, business, the media, and students of all ages.
Broadly speaking, social science encompasses society, how we behave and our impact on the world around us. In the changing world we live in, social science can help make sense of key everyday issues such as government´s policy, climate change, population change, national and international economies, urban spaces, aging, law in society and the care of our land.
Some of the events included in the programme are as follows:
Fear and Loathing in Sheffield: Public Fear in an Urban Landscape
Saturday 13 March and Wednesday 17 March 2010, starting at either 11am or 2pm
The School of Law, Winter Street, Sheffield
Members of the public are invited to a mobile landscape workshop where participants can use photography and writing to document elements of the landscape which provoke emotions of fear or unease. It is an opportunity for people to express attitudes about elements of their landscape which they were unhappy or uneasy about. The photos and texts produced will then be used on a web exhibit.
The Good of the Game: Football, Society and Globalisation
Friday 19 March 2010, 6.30pm-8pm
Sheffield United FC, Bramall Lane
An all-star panel including former England and Sheffield Wednesday manager, Howard Wilkinson, former Minister for Sport Rt Hon Richard Caborn MP, and the Chairmen of both Sheffield Clubs, will join together for this event to explore the benefits of football in society. Members of the public are invited to a glamorous evening which will address the role of football in society, including whether clubs are losing contact with fans and the importance of society for football.
Sheffield Green Roof Safari
Wednesday 17 March 2010, 3pm-5pm
Interdisciplinary Centre of the Social Sciences (ICOSS) Building, 219 Portobello, Sheffield
Green roofs are one of the most easily accessible sustainable technologies available. This event will offer an urban safari of green roofs to provide an informative and interactive experience of the social science behind them. Sheffield has the largest number of green and living roofs in the UK, outside London, and this tour will look at their positive impact on water management and wildlife in urban areas.
Notes for Editors: The ESRC Festival of Social Science, which runs from 12 to 21 March 2010, celebrates some of the country´s leading social science research and showcases the work of the UK´s social scientists and the impact it has on our lives. This year the Festival features over 130 events happening in seven regions and over 40 different cities in the UK. Events, which are open to all, take a variety of formats - from traditional lectures and exhibitions to theatrical performances, film screenings and topical debates.
For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email
l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk
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