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BU is hosting a range of free events as part of the nationwide – covering topics as diverse as the benefits of yoga in midlife and beyond, digital communities for LGBTQ+ young people, online safety for all ages, underwater farming and the positive impact teachers can make on students’ wellbeing.  

The ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ Festival of Social Science is an annual celebration of the social sciences and a key element of Economic and Social Research Council's commitment to promote awareness of UK social science research to new audiences.

This year the festival is being held from 19 October to 9 November 2024, with an overarching theme of ‘Our Digital Lives’.

For the second year, BU is partnering with the University of Southampton and our researchers will also be taking part in their Hands-on Humanities Day on Saturday 9 November, as part of the .

Bookable events

Cybersecurity Family Fun Day: games and learning for all ages

Friday 1 November

Gather Space (opposite Beales), Dolphin Shopping Centre, Poole

10am - 4pm

A fun, interactive drop-in activity for half-term. This event is designed for families to explore the world of cybersecurity through engaging board games, including BU's own CyGamBIT.

Learn essential safety tips while having fun! BU researchers and students will be on hand to guide you through the games, answer your questions and help you understand how to stay safe in the digital world.

Two sessions are available: 10am-12pm and 1-3pm.

Take a (meno)pause at a mini yoga retreat

Saturday 26 October

Seafront Studio, Pavilion Dance South West, Bournemouth

6pm - 8pm

Discover the benefits of yoga in mid-life and beyond. Share in our interactive women's mini yoga retreat, guiding you through movement and mindfulness to help you on your wellbeing journey during the menopausal years.

Dr Juliette Hecquet is an academic from ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ who has a PhD in yoga for mid-life women and has been a local community yoga teacher for eleven years. Come and discover a little bit of me-time and explore how yoga could help you relax and reconnect the mind and body. 

Other events

Communities of wellbeing: the digital lives of LGBTQ+ young people 

Saturday 26 October – Saturday 16 November 

Mezzanine Gallery, Lighthouse, Poole 

Open during venue hours 

An exhibition of artwork based on young people's stories about finding positive online spaces. It is aimed at challenging the often negative coverage of LGBTQ+ lives portrayed in mainstream media.

The display will showcase the way LGBTQ+ communities use digital space to enhance wellbeing via stories of support, feeling safe, belonging, having fun and enjoyment. Visitors are also encouraged to leave feedback via postcards at the gallery. 

The below events are targeted at specific groups and are not open for general bookings. 

Teaching for wellbeing – connecting practice with socio-emotional support

Thursday 7 November

Online via Zoom

4pm - 5.30pm

Join this online workshop designed for teachers and careers leaders to explore the connection between teaching practices and students' social and emotional skills. Through interactive activities and discussions, you'll reflect on your experience, engage with research on adolescent wellbeing, and share ideas on how to positively impact students' lives in today’s challenging environment.

This session offers time and space to deepen your understanding and approach to supporting student wellbeing.

Underwater farms – the magic of seaweed

Tuesday 22 October 

Avonwood Primary School

10:00am -10:45am

BU researchers take over a school assembly to introduce children to the magic of seaweed as a food source and explain how underwater farming could be key to a more sustainable future for agriculture. 

University of Southampton events

Our partners at the University of Southampton are also holding a range of events as part of the ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ Festival of Social Sciences, exploring topics including improving private renting in Southampton, skills for LGBTQ+ digital storytelling, and a puppetry performance about infertility. 

BU Lecturer in Politics Wonuola Okonnu will be participating in the  event, taking place on 1 November. The event will explore how social media can be a powerful tool for democracy and introduce beginner friendly content analysis - a research method in the social sciences.