Festival of Social Science 2024

The University of Hertfordshire is supporting the national Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Festival of Social Science 2024 with a host of free, interactive public events showcasing some of the social science research being undertaken at the University.

Running between Saturday 19 October and Saturday 9 November, the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2024 celebrates social science research and knowledge through public engagement activities run by its university partners across the country. This year’s main theme is ‘Our Digital Lives’, with many activities aimed at exploring the relationship between humans and digital technology.

In Hertfordshire, researchers from the University are running a packed programme of in-person and online activities, ranging from a pop-up play café and online cookalong, to events focused on how we can better tackle plastic pollution; how everyday digital technology can transform the lives of older adults; how digital transport services can be more inclusive; how new healthcare models can help the NHS and what can be done to support the emotional work of parents with autistic children on family holidays. All events are aimed at showcasing important research findings that have an impact on real life, as well as knowledge and guidance to help us all live better lives.

The full University of Hertfordshire Festival of Social Science programme is as follows:

Switch Off, Play On! Pop-Up Play Café
Tuesday 29 October – Saturday 2 November

An exclusive, week-long, pop-up event, come and join us at our friendly play café to explore our library of games, puzzles and toys aimed at encouraging families and friends to switch off their phones and rediscover the joy of connecting over a traditional board game or simple play experiences.

Hertfordshire’s Full of Beans Half-Term Family Cookalong with Stevenage Football Club Foundation
Thursday 31 October, 12.30-13.30

A one-hour, livestreamed cookalong to promote healthy nutrition based on Herts research.

Plastics and People: Understanding the Impact of Plastic Pollution and How You Can Make a Difference
Friday 1 November, 11.00-13.00

An interactive, face-to-face event on the consequences and impacts of plastics pollution on the environment and people. Discussions on the topic will be led by researchers from the University of Hertfordshire, the University of Northampton, Kelpi, and Potentially Blue Skies Ltd.

How can Digital Transport Services be More Inclusive?
Friday 1 November and Saturday 2 November, 11.30-12.30

A face-to-face presentation and discussion on Mobility as a Service, a transport service which can help achieve zero carbon personal transport, and how it can be made more accessible for disadvantaged groups.

‘Superheroes’ - Understanding the Emotional Work of Parents with Autistic Children on Family Holidays
Tuesday 5 November, 13.00-14.00

Join us for this 60-minute, interactive, face-to-face event - that will also be live-streamed - by University of Hertfordshire and Swansea University academics, highlighting research findings around the challenges faced by parents of autistic children in planning their holidays - and their recommendations to the tourism industry on what can be done, to make things better.

Technology Try Out: How Everyday Digital Technology can Transform the Lives of Older Adults
Wednesday 6 November, 10.30-15.00

A drop-in technology day organised by researchers from the University of Hertfordshire and the Alzheimer’s Society in Peterborough, offering people with dementia and their carers the opportunity to make the best of their devices.

The Lost Mother’s Project: An Exhibition and Talk with Dr Laura Abbott
Wednesday 6 November, 18:30-20.00

This groundbreaking exhibition, showcases artwork, poems, a podcast, and photographs based on research findings to highlight the emotional and complex challenges faced by pregnant and postnatal women in prison, especially those separated from their newborns. It aims to foster a deeper understanding of these issues and advocate for more compassionate care and support.

How New Healthcare Models can Help a Health Service Under Pressure
Thursday 7 November, 14.00-15.00

A 60-minute online presentation, exploring new healthcare modelling methods to enhance care for our health services.  Discussions on the topic will be led by researchers from the University of Hertfordshire Business School.

Uncovering the risk indicators of harmful internet use among teenagers.

Information about The BootStRaP Project will be available in the Switch Off, Play On! play café from Tuesday 29 October to Saturday 2 November.

Herts researchers will be available for discussions at the stand on Tuesday 29 and Thursday 31 October, between 12:00-14:00, and on Friday 1 November, between 14:00-15:00.

Join University of Hertfordshire researchers at this interactive display to learn about pioneering new, Europe-wide study, the BootStRaP project (Boosting Societal Adaptation and Mental Health in a Rapidly Digitalizing, Post-Pandemic Europe), aimed at addressing and reducing the risks of harmful internet use among teenagers.