Quirky Questions: Seeing Everyday Life Differently

Join us for a day of discovery, creativity and conversation at Quirky Quarter, with researchers from the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science. This free public event explores the hidden forces that shape everyday life, from wellbeing, health and community to nature, inequality and the things we value. The event is open and welcoming to all. OAs part of the event, visitors will also have the opportunity to access the Quirky Quarter immersive experience at a discounted rate, making it possible to combine a day of research, creativity and learning with the venue's famous interactive illusions and mind-bending exhibits.

10:30-15:30 Interactive drop in activities

Young Minds

11.00-12.45 – Expert Talks and Charity Workshops

11.00 – Helping you Helping me: Why Uplifting Others Feel so Good (Dr Lopez-Perez)

11.15 – Soothing strawberries: How fruit can help us when we want comfort (Dr Cummings)

11.30 – Green Leaves and Calm Minds: Exploring Nature’s Role in Wellbeing (Dr Tornquist)

12.00 – Ways to Wellbeing: Learning how to look after our mental health (Be Free Campaign)

12.15 – Looking after your young person: Coping strategies to do together (Be Free Campaign)

Seeing Stigma: Creating Change for Cannabis Patients - 1 hour craft workshop

Mindful Garden: Fading Plants & Forgotten Words - 1 hour workshop

Making Value: Crafting Money During a Cost-of-Living Crisis - 1 hour workshop

Research Roasters – 1 hour for a coffee (or tipple of choice) and a round of fascinating short talks from Liverpool's newest researchers.

Take a look at our day programme to join one of the timed workshops or explore our drop-in stands. Researchers from both universities will be on hand to share their work and invite conversation about some of the key issues facing communities today.  

Challenge common myths about poverty, food insecurity, and digital inequality with University of Liverpool researchers in our interactive activity, 'Everyone has....'
Share your perspective by adding a leaf to our Community Tree and help grow a collective picture of inclusion, dignity, and support in our community.

Dr Suzanne McClure and Dr Jeanette D'Arcy, University of Liverpool's Digital Media and Society Institute; and Dr Bethan Mead, Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool

Michelle Tornquist, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Liverpool; and Belén López-Pérez, Lecturer in Psychology, University of Manchester, in partnership with The Be Free Campaign, a youth mental health charity

Samantha Cooper, PhD Researcher, Liverpool John Moores University; and Volunteer, World Museum Herbarium

Dr Lindsey Metcalf McGrath, Dr Helen Beckett Wilson and Dr Sarah Tickle, Senior Lecturers, Liverpool John Moores University

Dr Christinna Hazzard, Senior Lecturer in International Relations and Politics; and Dr Gabriela Saenger Silva, Associate Lecturer and Art Practitioner, Liverpool School of Art and Creative Industries

Our morning activities will be of particular interest to 5-12 years old and their caregivers.

The afternoon will provide mindful and creative activities and conversation for adults and young people.  

Families interested in looking for new ways to help everyone's emotional health and wellbeing. Those looking to make the world a little bit better.  Anyone looking for some craft and an interesting conversation. 

Booking not required but recommended for some workshops via the booking link