BU Research Blog

The 24th annual ESRC Festival of Social Science (FoSS) will take place from Saturday 17 October to Saturday 7 November 2026, with the theme ‘Money, Finance and the Cost of Living’.

Areas events might explore:

• Personal finances
• Teaching children about money
• Understanding and support for the cost-of-living crisis
• The economy and how it works
• How businesses make money
• Starting your own business

How to apply 

We are particularly keen to receive applications from PGRs and early to mid-career researchers and encourage groups/teams to apply. If you have a supervisor, they will need to endorse your application by emailing researchengagementandimpact@bournemouth.ac.uk.

If you are considering applying, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with us directly as early as possible.

Apply to take part by completing the online application form. 

Deadline for applications: 11:59pm, Thursday 21 May 2026  

You can view the slides from the Information Session here. If you weren’t able to attend, or if you would like to revisit what was covered, you can also watch the session here.

About the Festival of Social Science 

The festival is an annual UK-wide celebration of research and knowledge about people and society, organised and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). It provides a platform for researchers from UK universities to engage the public in a wide range of topics, from health and wellbeing to crime, equality, education, and identity, through engaging events such as exhibitions, lectures, panel debates, performances, and workshops.

The festival is free to attend, with most events open to everyone, though some may target specific groups. It offers researchers a unique opportunity to take their work beyond the university, connect with diverse audiences, and present their research in creative and accessible ways. Funding of up to £1,000 per event is available.

Training to run a great event 

The national FoSS team is coordinating public engagement training with Engagement Trainer and Consultant Jamie Gallagher in June (repeated in September). Attendance at these sessions is mandatory for all event leads to attend and further details will be shared upon successful application.

Please read before applying 

Before submitting your application, please make sure you meet both the ESRC eligibility criteria and our key requirements. This is essential for your proposal to be considered.

Applications that reference academic or undergraduate audiences, or propose campus-based venues, will not be eligible. This opportunity is focused on public engagement beyond academic settings.

Festival Event Leader Pack this practical guide supports researchers in planning and delivering events for the festival. It covers the festival’s aims, event criteria, useful planning tips, audience engagement, and evaluation. It also details the funding, training, and promotional support available from the ESRC, making it a key resource for aligning events with the festival’s goals.

Contact us 

If you have any questions or need guidance with your application, please contact us at researchengagementandimpact@bournemouth.ac.uk