BU Research Blog

Being Human festival 2019

A reminder that the Being Human festival is now inviting applications for 2019.

The sixth annual Being Human festival will run 14-23 November 2019. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy, Being Human Is the UK’s only national festival of the humanities, and is one of the largest national platforms for public engagement with humanities research.

This year the festival theme is ‘Discoveries & Secrets’. This could involve anything from art historians uncovering painted-over masterpieces, archaeologists excavating ancient burial sites, historians making discoveries in archives, literary scholars discovering lost texts. More broadly it could include uncovering secret histories, or making new discoveries about seemingly familiar people, places, communities – the possibilities are endless. As ever the overarching aim of the festival is to take research in the humanities and share it in creative, fun and engaging ways with non-specialist audiences.

There are three main pathways to getting involved:

1. ‘Small Awards‘: apply to Being Human for funding of up to £1,500 to enable activities.
2. ‘Hub Awards‘: apply for a larger grant of £2,000- £4,000 to coordinate multiple activities as a Festival Hub. (Only a small number of these awards are made every year)
3. ‘Open Call‘: organise an activity that does not require funding.

Further details, and answers to some Frequently Asked Questions are available on the Being Human website. The hashtag on Twitter is #BeingHuman19

The deadline for applications for funding is 5pm Monday 8 April.

If you would like some advice on developing ideas, feel free to contact Adam Morris (Engagement Officer).