Newsroom University of Manchester

ESRC Festival of Social Science 2024 starts on Saturday 19 October

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 13:06:51 +0100

The 11th annual Festival of Social Science comes to 91ֱ�� on Saturday 19 October, with events taking place at venues across the city region for the next three weeks.

The festival is a key element of the Economic and Social Research Council’s () commitment to promote awareness of UK social sciences to new audiences.

The events shaping our world, from climate change to geopolitical tensions and civic protests, reveal how social science is more important than ever to understanding the world. From big ideas to the most detailed observations, social science affects us all every day – at work, in school, when raising children, within our communities, from the personal and the local, to the national and global level.

The ESRC Festival of Social Science offers a fascinating insight into some of the country’s leading social science research and how it influences or social, economic and political lives – both now and in the future. Discover how it shapes public policy and contributes to making the economy more competitive, as well as giving people a better understanding of 21^st-century society.

Attendees at this year's festival will be invited to dive into ‘Our Digital Lives’ by exploring the fascinating intersection of social sciences and technology as we unravel the complexity of human-digital interactions. Our carefully curated programme offers a compelling look at how social sciences illuminate our evolving relationship with the digital world.

Stian Westlake, ESRC Executive Chair, said: “The ESRC Festival of Social Science offers a unique insight into UK social science research and its relevance to individuals, society and economy. There are hundreds of free events taking place across the UK and online, including The University of Manchester, 91ֱ�� Metropolitan University and University of Salford. We hope you enjoy the events and finding out more about social scientists’ work.”

Join us to explore the work of social science from 19 October to 9 November. Take a look at our range of free events for all ages and tastes!

For a complete calendar of events and details on how to register, we invite you to visit the .

This festival was made possible thanks to funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

University of Manchester to host first ASA Public Anthropology Festival

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 12:38:54 +0000

The has chosen The University of Manchester to host its inaugural anthropology festival.

Taking place from Friday 5 - Sunday 7 April, marks a momentous occasion as it coincides with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the .

It will be a vibrant event celebrating the diverse facets of anthropology and fostering curiosity among the public about the captivating world of culture and society.

The festival promises a rich array of activities including exhibitions, performances, films, book talks, walking tours, and more, all of which showcase groundbreaking research in society and culture from around the globe.

One of the highlights of the festival will be the work-in-progress performance of See Me/Hear Me featuring Drag Race UK legend , a captivating play delving into the inner world of a paralysed woman through the lens of drag culture. Developed in collaboration with artist , this performance challenges the link between (dis)ability and identity.

Attendees can also look forward to guided walks through the streets of Manchester, uncovering the secret lives of night workers, and engaging in conversation with esteemed artist and filmmaker Additionally, the festival will feature the highly anticipated ASA Annual Public Firth Lecture by Professor , renowned for her popular writing, most recently on communist guerrillas and democracy in India.

“We are so excited for people to come and get captivated by the diverse range of activities available, whether it’s writing poetry by the 91ֱ�� canals, soaking up the sounds of the Colombian rainforest, or guessing the electoral politics of tomorrow,” said , Lecturer in Social Anthropology and PeopleFest Engagement Lead. “It’s all based on current research in anthropology - but you might not even realise! Engaging with and comprehending human experiences is key to anthropology, and that is precisely what we will be immersed in together.”

All events are free and open to the public, reflecting the ASA and The University of Manchester Social Anthropology Department's commitment to making anthropology accessible to all. It is hoped that this initiative will spark curiosity about the discipline and inspire local communities to reimagine academia in new and exciting ways.

For more information and to stay updated on the festival programme, please visit the PeopleFest official .

Racial Bias and the Bench - one year on, has progress been made in the legal system?

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 16:39:34 +0000

An event is set to take place that will assess whether progress has been made in meeting the challenges outlined by a into racial bias in our legal system, one year after its publication.

The event, which will take place on Tuesday 7 November in London and via livestream, will see The University of Manchester’s Professor Gary Younge chair a panel discussion with guests including Abimbola Johnson from Doughty Street Chambers, Graham Ritchie from the Crown Prosecution Service; Katrina Ffrench from UNJUST, Haroon Siddique from the Guardian, and the authors of the report Professor Eithne Quinn from The University of Manchester and Keir Monteith KC from Garden Court Chambers. This will be followed by a discussion with the audience and a drinks reception.

Last Autumn, the Racial Bias and the Bench report was published in response to the Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (2020-2025) and raised urgent questions about racial attitudes and practices in the justice system of England and Wales.

The report drew on a survey of 373 legal professionals, in which 95% of those who responded said that racial bias plays some role in the processes or outcomes of the legal system, and 29% said it played a ‘fundamental role’. A majority of respondents had witnessed one or more judges acting in a racially biased way towards a defendant and in their decision-making.

While the report found evidence that some judges are already acting in ‘antiracist’ ways by being knowledgeable about racism - and seeking to mitigate it - only a minority of respondents had ever seen a judge act in this way.

One year on, leading experts, practitioners and policymakers are coming together with report authors to assess what, if any, progress has been made in meeting the challenges outlined in the report, and to urge the profession to demand and drive forward change.

“Having met with academics and co-authors from The University of Manchester, I welcome their latest report which adds further evidence and provides feedback directly from members of the legal profession and judiciary,” said Shadow Foreign Secretary and author of the Lammy Review David Lammy MP at the time of the report’s publication. “Action to embed compulsory antiracist and racial bias training for all judicial office holders, which is a key recommendation of the report, would encourage a culture shift towards antiracist practice.”

“Racial Bias and the Bench set out 10 clear recommendations to achieve meaningful change - although the content of our report is shocking, it has been universally well received,” said Keir Monteith KC. “Those at the top need to start by publicly and sincerely acknowledging that Institutional Racism in the legal system exists. This toxic problem has to be addressed head on to ensure we have a fairer, more resilient and more democratically-accountable judiciary.”

The event, organised by The University of Manchester in partnership with Garden Court Chambers and the Centre on the Dynamics of Ethnicity, will take place from 6-8pm on Tuesday 7 November at . It is free to attend or to watch online, but attendees must register beforehand at .

East Africa's leading novelist to speak about impact of colonialism

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 11:15:13 +0100

East Africa’s leading novelist is to speak about the impact of colonialism and imperialism on his continent when he delivers The University of Manchester’s annual Arthur Lewis Lecture.

Professor Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o is a Kenyan author and academic who writes primarily in Gikuyu and who formerly wrote in English. Born in 1938 in the ‘white’ highlands of Kenya - the heart of the colonised landscape - the colonial regime shaped his family’s life. His lifelong dedication as a scholar and activist has left an indelible mark on the global decolonisation movement, particularly for the African diaspora.

Since 1964, he has been honoured with numerous awards, honorary doctorates and prizes in recognition of his enduring efforts against the adverse impacts of colonisation. He is one of the few remaining scholars and activists whose work defines the grand eras of decolonisation of the African and global diasporic mind.

In a lecture entitled ‘Language and normalised abnormalities in the world today’, he will discuss the harms caused by imperialism and colonialisation, focusing on their lasting impact on native languages, African knowledge, memory, the environment and human rights.

The lecture will be followed by a conversation with Esther Stanford-Xosei, community advocate and international expert on reparatory justice, addressing African-centred solutions to these lasting legacies. The discussion will be chaired by Professor Gary Younge from The University of Manchester’s Department of Sociology.

This event, coinciding with Black History Month, provides a unique opportunity to directly engage with the insights of BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) scholars, advocates, and activists on the harms of colonialism and how to recognise and overcome them.

The lecture will take place on Thursday 12 October from 6-8pm. Admission is free, but booking in advance is essential - to confirm your attendance, please book a ticket on .

Founder of Manchester medical aid charity to deliver annual lecture

Fri, 12 May 2023 10:59:29 +0100

The founder of a frontline medical aid charity based at The University of Manchester who spent 35 years responding to wars and major disasters around the world is to deliver this year’s Cockcroft Rutherford Lecture on Tuesday 16 May.

The Cockcroft Rutherford Lecture is the flagship annual event for alumni and friends of The University of Manchester, which has the largest global alumni community of any-campus based university in the UK and has graduates in over 190 countries.

Previous Cockcroft Rutherford lecturers include former Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Dame Sally Davies, Head of News & Current Affairs at Channel 4 Television Dorothy Byrne, former Greater 91ֱ�� Chief Constable Professor Sir Peter Fahy and astrophysicist and TV presenter Professor Brian Cox OBE.

This year’s lecture will be given by Professor Tony Redmond OBE, who recently stood down as Chair of UK-Med after 29 years in the role. Tony, who originally studied medicine at The University of Manchester, founded the organisation in 1994 which subsequently became one of the world’s leading disaster response charities.

From an initial register of 100 volunteer clinicians, the charity - which is based in the University’s Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI) now has more than 1,000 highly-trained doctors, nurses, paramedics and allied health professionals on its books, aided by a central team of over 40. It has responded to emergencies in 21 countries over the past two years including Ukraine, Lebanon, Myanmar and Yemen.

In his talk, he will reflect upon the years he spent responding to wars and major disasters and the lessons the world has – and has not – learnt.

The University of Manchester’s President and Vice Chancellor Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell will chair the lecture, which will be followed by an audience Q&A.

“We’re very excited to welcome hundreds of our alumni on to campus for the lecture, especially our community of generous volunteers and donors who all help 91ֱ�� make things happen,” said Richard Screaton, Deputy Director (Alumni Engagement) at The University of Manchester. “We know that hundreds more graduates around the globe will be joining us online to watch the lecture.”

The lecture can be streamed live on from 6pm on Tuesday 16 May, where it will also be available afterwards for those unable to watch it live.

War zone trauma surgeon to deliver University lecture

Wed, 30 May 2018 10:27:22 +0100

A conflict surgeon who has risked his life in some of the world’s most dangerous conflicts is to deliver this year’s Cockcroft Rutherford Lecture at The University of Manchester on 31 May.

David Nott OBE, will speak to alumni of the University at the sell-out event which will also be streamed live on the University’s Facebook page.

The surgeon, who won the 2015 University of Manchester outstanding alumnus award, has operated under torchlight as battles raged around him.

For the past 23 years David has taken unpaid leave each year to work for the aid agencies Médecins Sans Frontières, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Syria Relief.

He has worked in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Chad, Darfur, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Iraq, Pakistan, Libya, Syria, Central African Republic, Gaza and Nepal.

When Islamic State fanatics burst into his theatre in Syria he bravely refused to stop operating and leave the hospital, vowing to carry on operating on a little girl even if it ended in his own death.

Previous Cockcroft Rutherford lecturers include Professor Brian Cox OBE, Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England and Chief Medical Advisor to the UK government, and Professor Danielle George MBE

As well as treating victims of conflict and catastrophe and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charitable causes, David teaches advanced surgical skills to local medics and surgeons when he is abroad.

In 2015 he established the David Nott Foundation with his wife Elly. The Foundation supports surgeons to develop operating skills in warzones and austere environments.

The Cockcroft Rutherford Lecture with David Nott OBE is on Thursday, 31 May 2018. It is in Theatre B, University Place and starts at 6pm prompt. The event is sold out, but will be streamed live on Facebook

The annual Cockcroft Rutherford Lecture is the flagship event for alumni and friends of The University of Manchester. At 91ֱ��, we have the largest global alumni community of any-campus based university in the UK, and we are in contact with over 380,000 graduates.

Over 7,000 of these graduates across the globe give up their time to benefit students and their local communities as part of our alumni volunteering programme – one of the largest in the UK. Alumni can find out more about volunteering at