About the Festival of Social Science
The Festival of Social Science is a yearly celebration of research that helps us understand people, communities and society. Now in its 25th year, the festival gives everyone the chance to explore topics such as health and wellbeing, crime, equality, education and identity through engaging events led by researchers from universities across the UK.
All events are free to attend. Most are open to everyone, while some are designed for particular audiences or age groups.
This year, more than 300 events will take place across the UK, organised by 41 universities. Running from 17 October to 7 November, the programme includes a mix of online, in-person and hybrid events, such as talks, performances, exhibitions, interactive activities and panel discussions.
For most events, you can book your place online in advance. Simply visit the event listing and follow the booking link to register.
With many people feeling the impact of rising costs, this year's festival features a range of events focused on money, finance and the cost of living. Whether you're looking for practical tips on managing your personal finances, advice on teaching kids about money, or guidance on starting your own business, there's something for you. Young people interested in studying business or economics can also get a taste of what these subjects involve through hands-on activities and talks. You can also explore the bigger picture, learning more about how businesses work and how economies shape our everyday lives. Browse the events taking place in your local area or join online from anywhere.
Not interested in finance? That's absolutely fine. The Festival of Social Science covers a huge variety of topics, so you're sure to find something that sparks your curiosity.
The festival is led and funded by the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which supports research and training in social science subjects.
What is social science?
The term social science covers a broad range of subjects relating to society, communities and people, including economics, psychology, sociology, management and business studies, law, economic and social history, politics and human geography, among others.
The events shaping our world, from climate change and migration to geopolitical tensions and civic protests, reveal how social science is more key to understanding the world than ever.
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 local, to the national and global level.
You can find a full list of social science subjects on the ESRC website.
How can I find events on a specific social science subject?
If you’d like to find festival events relating to a particular social science subject you can use the ‘subject’ filter to identify these. You might find this useful if you already have an interest in a particular subject or are considering studying it and would like a taster. You can also search by topic (eg ‘health and wellbeing’ or ‘equality’) to show relevant events across different subject areas, and by practical matters such as location.
How long has the festival been running?
The Festival of Social Science began in 2002 as Social Science Week, with around 25 events. It has run annually since then, growing in size, breadth and coverage, and plays a key role in ESRC’s commitment to connect the researchers it funds with new audiences.