Are you supporting prospective PhD candidates or know someone looking for funded postgraduate research opportunities?
Applications are now open for ESRC Southwest Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) Studentships for September 2027 entry. These prestigious studentships cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance stipend, with additional support available for research training and placements.
What pathways?
At Bournemouth University, students can apply through the following pathways:
Please note our preferred format is PDF, each file named with your surname and the name of the document, eg “Smith – Transcript”, “Smith – Annex A”, “Smith – Collaboration Support”:
The key date to remember is 16 November 2026 at 10am, when applications to BU close.
Candidates who are shortlisted to complete a full funding application to the SWDTP will be supported to formally apply to Bournemouth University for their studies.
Potential supervisors should join the ESRC SWDTP session on 21 October at 12pm – 1pm for information about the process. The session will be hybrid and colleagues are welcome to join via Teams on
Public engagement is an increasingly important part of demonstrating research impact, and national initiatives such as the ESRC Festival of Social Science provide valuable opportunities for researchers to connect their work with wider communities.
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’. This year marks our 15th year of participation in the festival and our fourth year partnering with the University of Southampton to deliver an extended programme of events across Dorset and Hampshire.
The festival offers researchers the opportunity to take part in the UK’s largest celebration of social science research and to engage with a wide range of non-academic audiences, including young people, members of the public, the third sector, businesses, and government. For many researchers, the festival also provides a practical way to explore new approaches to engagement and to build confidence in communicating research beyond academia.
To support colleagues who are considering taking part, we are hosting an information session for academics interested in achieving real-world impact through public engagement. The session will be co-hosted by the Research Engagement and Impact Team at Bournemouth University and the Impact Funding Team at the University of Southampton. We will also hear from some of last year’s event leads, who will share their experiences and lessons learned.
The ESRC Festival of Social Science 2025 has now drawn to a close, marking another inspiring celebration of research, engagement, and the power of social science to shape our everyday lives. As we move into 2026, this is a timely moment to reflect on the impact of last year’s festival and the ways in which it connected research with people and communities. At Bournemouth University, this year’s programme featured a diverse range of events that encouraged dialogue, fostered collaboration, and celebrated the continuing value of social science in society.
The 2025 festival, which included 348 events across the UK, explored how work and employment connect to wellbeing, sustainability, and social change. The programme also featured a wide range of activities covering the full breadth of social science research.
For the 14th year, BU took part in the festival, drawing over 250 attendees to five engaging events. In partnership with the University of Southampton for the third consecutive year, Bournemouth University showcased a programme of events ranging from participatory activities and virtual reality experiences to thought-provoking panel discussions.
Our festival programme opened with Work in a Changing World, an inspiring event hosted at the specialist school Connie Rothman Learning Trust. In this session, young people were invited to envision their future working lives through film-making and AI-supported creative tools.
Participants took part in two interactive film workshops led by Dr Nick Gray and Dr Philip Wilkinson, using film and digital storytelling to explore both the opportunities and risks posed by emerging technologies. The workshops created space for reflection on how technological change may shape future careers, while empowering young people to express their own perspectives through creative practice.
The programme continued in Poole with Fast Cash, Hidden Costs, an interactive exhibition held at Dolphin Centre, Poole, led by Dr Reece Bush and collaborators.
This event explored the realities of matched betting and challenged the idea of “risk-free” income. Visitors were able to drop in throughout the day and engage with hands-on activities, visual data displays, myth-busting exercises, and lived-experience stories. Short, accessible talks ran at regular intervals, explaining what matched betting is, why it is growing in popularity, and what current research reveals about its potential harms.
Our next event “Deepfake Deep Dive” by Professor Dinusha Mendis was an online event, a 45-minute panel discussion followed by an open Q&A. This event highlighted different perspectives from law, policy, technology, and practice, with a focus on the UK’s current approach to AI. The UK is yet to legislate in the area of deepfake AI, which leaves open several questions for the creative, cultural industries as well as society. This event addressed the current gaps and provide insights from different sectors in highlighting ways in which we can tackle the growing issue of deepfakes. The Deepfake Deep Dive event featured guest speakers Dugald Johnson, Policy Officer from Equity, Rossana Ducato (University of Aberdeen), and Victoriano Darias from IFPI, who shared policy, academic, and industry perspectives on the challenges posed by deepfake technologies.
The series continued with Digital Futures for All, led by Dr Philip Wilkinson. The session opened with a reflective talk marking three years of the Digital Skills Hub, sharing lessons from working at the front lines of digital inclusion, followed by a 45-minute panel discussion and Q&A. The panel brought together academic experts and practitioners, including Dr Phil Wilkinson (Digital Skills Hub), Dr Nick Gray (Bournemouth University), Kaoutar Addi (Digital Skills Hub), Rachel Doe (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council), and Andy Merchant (Bournemouth Churches Housing Association), who shared research insights alongside real-world experience of engaging the public in digital skills programmes.
We concluded this year’s festival journey with Through a Child’s Eyes: Understanding Childhood Drowning in Bangladesh, a powerful event led by Professor Edwin van Teijlingen.
The session began with a short presentation introducing the research project, followed by an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) experience. Developed in collaboration with Dreamerz Lab in Bangladesh, the VR environment allowed participants to experience rural village life from both child and adult perspectives. By showing how water surrounds homes and daily life, the experience powerfully illustrated why very young children are particularly vulnerable to drowning.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to this year’s ESRC Festival of Social Science. Your involvement helped make the programme a meaningful celebration of the positive impact that social science has on our communities.
Applying for the ESRC Festival – what you need to know
If you are considering taking part in a future ESRC Festival of Social Science, now is an excellent time to start developing your ideas. Reviewing the 2026 festival open call is a good way to understand what we look for in strong applications. Event leads are selected through a competitive internal application process, and early planning can help you shape a proposal that is both impactful and well aligned with the festival’s aims.
The open call for next year’s festival is expected to launch in May/June 2026. If you would like to discuss an early idea or explore potential proposals, please contact us at researchengagementandimpact@bournemouth.ac.uk
“Fast cash, hidden costs” – Reflections from an ESRC Festival of Social Science Event
The Gambling Research Group at Bournemouth University recently hostedFast cash, hidden costs: The matched betting dilemmaas part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science—drawing an impressive235 attendeesto The Dolphin Centre in Poole. Delivered in partnership withAra Recovery For All, the event opened up vital conversations about the realities of matched betting, challenging the notion of “risk-free” gambling and highlighting the hidden harms that often go unnoticed.
The day brought together researchers, practitioners, and members of the public in an energetic, open, and welcoming space. Ara Recovery For All played a key role in engaging younger audiences and facilitating meaningful discussions, including several personal stories of gambling-related harm. These insights underscored the importance of accessible research engagement in raising awareness and empowering communities.
Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive:
100%of respondents who were surveyed agreed they were glad they attended and had learned something new.
Attendees ranged widely in age and background, with many stating they had “stumbled upon” the event—demonstrating real public appetite for approachable, evidence-based conversations about gambling risk.
Comments praised the interactive materials, friendly atmosphere, and clear, engaging information.
This event formed part of aBristol Hub for Gambling Harms-fundedresearch project led by Dr Reece Bush-Evans. It also continues the Gambling Research Group’s commitment to supporting public understanding of gambling harms and promoting safer, more informed decision-making.
Bournemouth University is delighted to be part of the Southwest Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP), one of the UK’s largest centres of postgraduate research training for social scientists, including in the fields of Health, Wellbeing & Society, Psychology, Climate Change & Sustainability.
Bournemouth University was successfully awarded 2 PhD studentships in 2024 and 3 PhD Studentship and 1 Post Doc Research Fellow in 2025.
The call for PhD Studentships starting in September 2026 is now live.
Studentships cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance stipend for living costs and other additional forms of support and are normally for 3 years 3 months plus 3 months “Research in Practice” (placement). Part-time studentships will be offered pro rata to their full-time equivalent.
Applicants should contact a potential supervisors (listed in each pathway) and submit an applications via myHUB, together with the relevant supporting information:
Up to £1,000 per event available to engage the public with your research in a national prestigious festival
About the Festival of Social Science
The 23rd annual ESRC Festival of Social Science (FoSS) takes place Saturday 18 October – Saturday 8 November 2025, with the theme of ‘Our Working Lives’.
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.
What are the festival aims?
Encourage, support & create opportunities for social science researchers to engage with the public and young people
Promote & increase awareness of the social sciences and ESRC-funded research, & the contribution social science makes to the UK
Enable the public to engage with social science research
Engage with teachers and young people and raise their awareness of the social sciences
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.
Applications will be assessed on 5 key areas
Motivation for taking part – Show you have thought carefully about why you are applying e.g. to pilot an idea, reach a new audience, or develop public engagement skills, and what you hope to gain.
Target audience identified – Events must be aimed at a non-academic audience. Clearly define who your audience is (e.g. a specific public group, community, or professional sector). If you are proposing an event for professionals, businesses, policymakers, or third sector organisations, please note that ESRC rules only permit up to 20% of our events to be targeted at these groups. As we often receive many proposals in this category, selecting one of these audiences may reduce your chances of taking part.
Audience motivation – Show why your chosen audience would be interested in your activity, and how and when they might engage.
Content & format – Demonstrate initial ideas for what the activity will involve, why the format suits the goal (e.g. in-person, online), and considerations for timing and location.
Appropriate costing – Budget should be realistic, clear, and fit the scale and type of activity.
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 publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.
If you are considering applying, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with us directly as early as possible.
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.
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.
Up to £1,000 per event available to engage the public with your research in a national prestigious festival
The 23rd annual ESRC Festival of Social Science (FoSS) takes place Saturday 18 October – Saturday 8 November 2025, with the theme of ‘Our Working Lives’.
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.
What are the festival aims?
Encourage, support & create opportunities for social science researchers to engage with the public and young people
Promote & increase awareness of the social sciences and ESRC-funded research, & the contribution social science makes to the UK
Enable the public to engage with social science research
Engage with teachers and young people and raise their awareness of the social sciences
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.
Applications will be assessed on these 5 key areas
Motivation for taking part – Show you have thought carefully about why you are applying e.g. to pilot an idea, reach a new audience, or develop public engagement skills, and what you hope to gain.
Target audience identified – Events must be aimed at a non-academic audience. Clearly define who your audience is (e.g. a specific public group, community, or professional sector). If you are proposing an event for professionals, businesses, policymakers, or third sector organisations, please note that ESRC rules only permit up to 20% of our events to be targeted at these groups. As we often receive many proposals in this category, selecting one of these audiences may reduce your chances of taking part.
Audience motivation – Show why your chosen audience would be interested in your activity, and how and when they might engage.
Content & format – Demonstrate initial ideas for what the activity will involve, why the format suits the goal (e.g. in-person, online), and considerations for timing and location.
Appropriate costing – Budget should be realistic, clear, and fit the scale and type of activity.
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 publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.
If you are considering applying, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with us directly as early as possible.
Deadline for applications EXTENDED to: 5pm FRIDAY 23 May 2025
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.
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.
Up to £1,000 per event available to engage the public with your research in a national prestigious festival
The 23rd annual ESRC Festival of Social Science (FoSS) takes place Saturday 18 October – Saturday 8 November 2025, with the theme of ‘Our Working Lives’.
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.
What are the festival aims?
Encourage, support & create opportunities for social science researchers to engage with the public and young people
Promote & increase awareness of the social sciences and ESRC-funded research, & the contribution social science makes to the UK
Enable the public to engage with social science research
Engage with teachers and young people and raise their awareness of the social sciences
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.
To help you develop your application, you can sign up to attend the Introduction to Festival of Social Science 2025webinaron Thursday 8 May, 12pm via Teams.
Applications will be assessed on these 5 key areas
Motivation for taking part – Show you have thought carefully about why you are applying e.g. to pilot an idea, reach a new audience, or develop public engagement skills, and what you hope to gain.
Target audience identified – Events must be aimed at a non-academic audience. Clearly define who your audience is (e.g. a specific public group, community, or professional sector). If you are proposing an event for professionals, businesses, policymakers, or third sector organisations, please note that ESRC rules only permit up to 20% of our events to be targeted at these groups. As we often receive many proposals in this category, selecting one of these audiences may reduce your chances of taking part.
Audience motivation – Show why your chosen audience would be interested in your activity, and how and when they might engage.
Content & format – Demonstrate initial ideas for what the activity will involve, why the format suits the goal (e.g. in-person, online), and considerations for timing and location.
Appropriate costing – Budget should be realistic, clear, and fit the scale and type of activity.
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 publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.
If you are considering applying, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with us directly as early as possible.
Deadline for applications: 11:59pm, Thursday 15 May 2025
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.
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.
Up to £1,000 per event available to engage the public with your research in a national prestigious festival
The 23rd annualESRC Festival of Social Science (FoSS) takes place Saturday 18 October – Saturday 8 November 2025, with the theme of ‘Our Working Lives’.
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 publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.
If you are considering applying, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with us directly as early as possible.
Deadline for applications: 11:59pm, Thursday15 May 2025
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 sessionhere.
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.
To help you develop your application, you can sign up to attend the Introduction to Festival of Social Science 2025webinaron 8th May, 12pm via Teams.
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.
ESRC Festival Info Session Rescheduled to Wednesday 23 April 11am-12pm
Online information session
Join our online information session to enhance your chances of a successful application and learn how to make the most of this exciting opportunity.
BU’s Public Engagement Team will co-host this session with the University of Southampton Impact Funding Team. During the session, you will hear about past festival events at both universities, learn first-hand experiences from previous participants, and gain an understanding of the application process. You will also receive guidance on how to get involved in this year’s festival.
Wednesday 23 April 2025
11am – 12pm
Online (via Teams)
To attend, please register and we will be in touch with further information
For the third consecutive year, Bournemouth University is partnering with the University of Southampton (UoS) to deliver a programme of social science events across Dorset and Hampshire. This collaboration enables BU researchers to organise joint events with UoS colleagues and share impactful research with a broader community.
Funding available for your social science event
Apply for up to £1,000 and join the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2025 to showcase your research.
Online information session
Join our online information session to enhance your chances of a successful application and learn how to make the most of this exciting opportunity.
BU’s Public Engagement Team will co-host this session with the UoS Impact Funding Team. During the session, you will hear about past festival events at both universities, learn first-hand experiences from previous participants, and gain an understanding of the application process. You will also receive guidance on how to get involved in this year’s festival.
Wednesday 2 April 2025
11am – 12pm
Online (via Teams)
To attend, please register and we will be in touch with further information
The 2025 open call will launch soon. In the meantime, explore these resources from last year to gather ideas and see which events resonated with public audiences while aligning with the festival’s goals:
The ESRC Festival of Social Science (FoSS) returns from 18 October to 8 November 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity for researchers to showcase their work in the UK’s largest celebration of social science research.
Partnership with the University of Southampton
For the third consecutive year, Bournemouth University is partnering with the University of Southampton (UoS) to deliver a programme of social science events across Dorset and Hampshire. This collaboration enables BU researchers to organise joint events with UoS colleagues and share impactful research with a broader community.
Why get involved?
Engage with non-academic audiences and make a meaningful impact in the community
Showcase your research beyond the university to reach wider audiences
Gain valuable public engagement experience while enhancing your communication skills
Expand your professional network through collaborations with fellow researchers
Online information session
BU’s Public Engagement Team will co-host an online information session with the Impact Funding Team (Research and Innovation Services, UoS). During the session, you will learn about past FoSS events at both universities and hear first-hand experiences from previous participants. The session will also explain the application process and guide you on how to get involved in this year’s festival.
Wednesday 2 April 2025
11am – 12pm
Online (via Teams)
To attend, please register and we will be in touch with further information.
The call for applications will open soon. In the meantime, if you are considering applying, we recommend reviewing the 2024 festival open call to gain a clear understanding of the expectations and festival criteria. Understanding the ESRC’s guidelines and expectations is key to submitting a strong application.
If you have colleagues at the University of Southampton who might be interested in running a joint event, consider reaching out to explore collaboration opportunities. Joint events can strengthen your application and broaden your impact, so they are strongly encouraged.
Get inspired by past festival events. For ideas and inspiration, take a look at:
Funding of up to £1,000 per event is available to support your event. BU’s Public Engagement team will offer ongoing advice and guidance at every stage – from application and event development to planning, delivery, and evaluation.
New drop-in surgery for application support
In addition to the information session, the Public Engagement Team will be hosting a drop-in surgery on campus, providing you with the opportunity to meet the team and receive additional support for your application.
This will:
Offer guidance on festival requirements and application criteria
Assist researchers in refining event ideas to ensure alignment with ESRC guidelines
Provide one-to-one support to strengthen applications and improve the chances of success
Share insights on best practices for engaging diverse audiences
Help refine event formats and maximise impact
Take advantage of this support to enhance your proposal and perfect your event plans.
The ESRC Festival of Social Science 2024 has come to an end, successfully bringing together diverse audiences to explore, learn, and engage with BU’s research.
The 2024 festival, which included 324 nationwide events, had ‘our digital lives’ as a central theme. Many of the events examined the relationship between humans and digital technology, exploring current threats and opportunities, as well as imagining what life might be like in the future.
For the 13th year, BU took part in the festival, drawing over 250 attendees to five engaging events, two of which were also featured in the University of Southampton’s Arts and Humanities Day on Saturday 9 November. In partnership with the University of Southampton for the second consecutive year, the festival showcased a programme of events, ranging from discussions on well-being and cybersecurity to an exhibition highlighting the voices of young LGBTQ+ individuals.
Avonwood Primary School
Our festival programme began with ‘Underwater Farms – The Magic of Seaweed’ an exciting opening event for 61 year 3 students at Avonwood Primary School.
Activities with pupils at Avonwood Primary School
BU researchersAnastasia Vayona and Kirthana Pillay visited two classes, where they introduced children between the ages of 7-8 to the wonders of seaweed as a food source and highlighted how underwater farming could play a crucial role in creating a more sustainable future for agriculture. The children were particularly keen to try the seaweed scones!
“…a really informative and fun event that was perfectly pitched for the age of participants…it gave them a chance to explore food and nutrition in a fun, interactive context” feedback from a teacher at Avonwood Primary School
The next event in our programme, ‘Take a Meno(pause)’ exploring well-being through yoga for mid-life -was an interactive session at Pavilion Dance, focusing on the benefits of yoga during the menopause years.
Yoga practice led by Dr Hecquet
Dr Juliette Hecquet’s research looks at yoga’s effectiveness in managing the physical and emotional symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. By integrating body and mind, yoga promotes health, strength, and overall well-being during this life stage.
Yoga breathing exercises
Participants learned how yoga can enhance physical and mental health and how mindfulness can support the transition through mid-life. The session also included a guided yoga practice led by Dr Hecquet, with poses and breathing exercises designed to deepen relaxation and improve well-being throughout the menopause journey.
“…very professional and I thoroughly enjoyed it.” feedback from an attendee
Board game activities at Cybersecurity Family Fun day in Poole Dolphin Centre
BU’sCyGamBIT Team hosted a ‘Cybersecurity Family Fun Day’ at Gather, the hub for community events at the Dolphin Centre in Poole. During half term, this interactive cybersecurity day gave participants of all ages the opportunity to discover practical tools to enhance digital safety, with hands-on activities that made learning about cybersecurity both fun and accessible
Guided by BU computer science researcher Dr Jane Henriksen-Bulmer and CyGamBIT co-founder and BU PhD student Emily Rosenorn-Lanng, families left with practical takeaways to help keep their information secure and a better understanding of how digital safety affects everyone.
“…granddaughter loved how it taught her about safety online” feedback from an attendee
The ‘Communities of wellbeing: the digital lives of LGBTQ+ young people’ exhibition was displayed at the Lighthouse in Poole from 26 October – 16 November. The artwork highlighted the powerful stories of young LGBTQ+ individuals, who shared their experiences of creating inclusive online spaces where they feel safe, joyful, and have a sense of belonging.
Exhibition displayed at the Lighthouse in Poole
Dr Jayne Caudwell and Dr Francesca Gaunt hosted a series of workshops with LGBTQ+ youth. Through these group discussions, six key themes emerged, including topics like the experience of coming out as LGBTQ+ in online spaces. These conversations inspired the creation of artwork reflecting the themes explored.
The exhibition images and content from the workshops will also be used to create a digital version of the exhibition, coming soon!
“…inspiring – we all have far more in common than our differences – we all need respect and acceptance” feedback from an attendee
Our online workshop, ‘Teaching for Wellbeing: Connecting Practice with Socio-Emotional Support’, led by Dr Esther Anwuzia, covered effective teaching practices to support students’ well-being in today’s challenging environment.
Former teachers Elaine Baker-Smith and Jerry Whitton with a combined 55 years of experience also participated in the session, offering their perspectives on effective teaching practices, and promoting student well-being.
Dr Anwuzia’s research explores how heavy workloads restrict teachers’ ability to reflect beyond teaching and grading. Since the pandemic, an increasing number of students with social and emotional difficulties are absent from school. Focused teaching can help build students’ confidence and support responsible decision-making.
Teacher Zoom Event
The workshop provided an opportunity for teachers to connect, exchange insights, reflect on their experiences, and explore strategies for making a positive impact on students’ lives.
“… I remember having a teacher who explained information in lots of different ways to help with our understanding”
“…really brilliant presentation!” feedback from attendees
Watch this event
A Special Feature – Southampton Arts and Humanities Day
For the first time, BU researchers were invited to participate in the University of Southampton’s Arts and Humanities Day, which took place on Saturday 9 November in the city’s Cultural Quarter. The day offered a range of free interactive activities, workshops, talks, performances, and exhibits.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage with the Young LGBTQ+ stories exhibition, which attracted more than 90 viewers, while Dr Esther Anwuzia hosted a drop-in session on Connecting teaching with student wellbeing, making her own connections with more than 30 educators and members of the public.
Southampton Arts and Humanities Day
Thank you
A big thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to this year’s ESRC Festival of Social Science. Your involvement helped make our events a meaningful celebration of the positive impact social science has on our communities.
Applying for the ESRC Festival – what you need to know
Event leads were chosen through a competitive internal application process, with selections determined by a panel of researchers and professional services staff. BU’s Public Engagement Team provided support to help bring their creative and engaging event ideas to life.
If you’re considering participating in a future ESRC Festival of Social Science, now is an ideal time to start preparing your proposal. Begin by exploring the 2024 festival open call to gain insight into what we look for in applications for 2025.
If you would like to start discussing your ideas, please get in touch with the public engagement with research team at publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.
Thank you to everyone who has already submitted their social, community and cultural events for 2023-24. Your contributions are greatly appreciated. If you haven’t submitted yours yet, there is still time.
Deadline: Monday 4 November
Last year, we documented over 200 events and reached a total of 18.5 million attendees (including media appearances) for the 2022-23 return. We aim to match or even exceed that success this year!
ESRC Festival of Social Science 2023 – Two Tone Towns: A Social History of Ska in Dorset
What is HE-BCI?
The HE-BCI survey is a mandatory annual return that BU makes to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). An important part of this is to capture activity in terms of social, community and cultural events intended for the external community. This data is part of the information used to determine the allocation of Higher Education and Innovation Funding (HEIF) for BU.
What activities can be included?
Please include details of any relevant events that you have been involved in which took place/will take place between 1 August 2023 – 31 July 2024
Events must have been open to the public or intended for an external (non-academic) group and have included an exchange of knowledge. Events may take place in the UK or overseas
TheSharePoint site provides details about what data is collected, including calculating attendee numbers, staff time, reporting online activities and multiple related events
The LGBTQ+ Digital Lives project at Bournemouth University is exploring the online safety experiences of young people in the LGBTQ+ community.
Could you spare a few minutes to share your thoughts on this important issue?
The content and ideas shared from this survey will contribute to the ‘Our Digital Lives’ art exhibition, which will be on display during the ESRC Festival of Social Science (October – November 2024) with plans to also display during LGBTQ+ History Month (February 2025) and Pride Month (June 2025).
Your participation in this survey is greatly appreciated. Please be assured that all responses will remain completely anonymous with no personal identifiers collected. Your answers will be used solely to support the ‘Our Digital Lives’ art exhibition.
Funding of up to £1,000 per event is available, and BU’s Public Engagement with Research team offers continuing advice and support on all areas of event development, planning, delivery and evaluation.
The 22nd annual ESRC Festival of Social Science will take place this year Saturday 19 October – Saturday 9 November, with the theme ‘Our Digital Lives’
This national festival offers the chance to create an inspiring event to connect your research in an engaging way with a broad public audience and take your research off campus.
For the second year, BU is partnering with the University of Southampton (UoS) and we are particularly keen to hear from researchers who have already established collaborations with UoS colleagues and may wish to run a joint event. This collaboration enables us to run an extended programme of events, broadening our impact reach and expanding our networks across Dorset and Hampshire.
About the Festival of Social Science
The Festival of Social Science is an annual celebration of research and knowledge about humans and society. It is an opportunity for anyone to explore topics relating to social science – from health and wellbeing to crime, equality, education and identity – through events run by researchers from UK universities. There’s no cost to attend, and most are open to everyone, though some are aimed at specific groups.
What if I’ve never done public engagement before?
Everyone has to start somewhere, and this is the ideal place. You’ll have access to support, advice and training throughout. If you’re unsure, seek out a more experienced colleague to collaborate with.
The ESRC says that events must “feature social science (ideally with a social scientist involved in the event)”. If this doesn’t clearly apply to you, consider these options;
Does your research have clear implications for society that could be explored from a social science perspective?
Could you collaborate with a social scientist, combining your resources and creativity to explore the impact of your research? If you’re looking for a collaborator, the Research Blog or BU website are great places to start or contact us for help
What support will I get?
Being part of this festival means a higher level of support and reach than we usually provide.
Before applying, you’ll have access to:
Advice on request from BU’s Public Engagement Team
The ESRC’s Festival Event Leader pack
When your application is successful, you’ll get:
Funding of up to £1,000 managed by RDS
Training provided by the ESRC Festival of Social Science
Continuing advice and support from BU’s public engagement team on all areas of planning, delivering, evaluating your activity
Wide-scale promotion and marketing of your event by BU, UoS and the ESRC
How to Apply
Apply to take part in the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2024 by completing the online application form,
Deadline for applications: midnight at the end of Thursday 16 May 2024.
Should you require any more information, or if you would like to arrange a chat with the Public Engagement Team to discuss your application, please contact: publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.
Funding of up to £1,000 per event is available, and BU’s Public Engagement with Research team offers continuing advice and support on all areas of event development, planning, delivery and evaluation.
The 22nd annual ESRC Festival of Social Science will take place this year Saturday 19 October – Saturday 9 November, with the theme ‘Our Digital Lives’
This national festival offers the chance to create an inspiring event to connect your research in an engaging way with a broad public audience and take your research off campus.
For the second year, BU is partnering with the University of Southampton (UoS) and we are particularly keen to hear from researchers who have already established collaborations with UoS colleagues and may wish to run a joint event. This collaboration enables us to run an extended programme of events, broadening our impact reach and expanding our networks across Dorset and Hampshire.
About the Festival of Social Science
The Festival of Social Science is an annual celebration of research and knowledge about humans and society. It is an opportunity for anyone to explore topics relating to social science – from health and wellbeing to crime, equality, education and identity – through events run by researchers from UK universities. There’s no cost to attend, and most are open to everyone, though some are aimed at specific groups.
What if I’ve never done public engagement before?
Everyone has to start somewhere, and this is the ideal place. You’ll have access to support, advice and training throughout. If you’re unsure, seek out a more experienced colleague to collaborate with.
The ESRC says that events must “feature social science (ideally with a social scientist involved in the event)”. If this doesn’t clearly apply to you, consider these options;
Does your research have clear implications for society that could be explored from a social science perspective?
Could you collaborate with a social scientist, combining your resources and creativity to explore the impact of your research? If you’re looking for a collaborator, the Research Blog or BU website are great places to start or contact us for help
What support will I get?
Being part of this festival means a higher level of support and reach than we usually provide.
Before applying, you’ll have access to:
Advice on request from BU’s Public Engagement Team
The ESRC’s Festival Event Leader pack
When your application is successful, you’ll get:
Funding of up to £1,000 managed by RDS
Training provided by the ESRC Festival of Social Science
Continuing advice and support from BU’s public engagement team on all areas of planning, delivering, evaluating your activity
Wide-scale promotion and marketing of your event by BU, UoS and the ESRC
How to Apply
Apply to take part in the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2024 by completing the online application form,
Deadline for applications: midnight at the end of Thursday 16 May 2024.
Should you require any more information, or if you would like to arrange a chat with the Public Engagement Team to discuss your application, please contact: publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.
Thank you to everyone who attended our ESRC Festival of Social Science 2024 Information Session, in collaboration with the University of Southampton.
The slides from the session are available here, and if you weren’t able to attend, you can watch the recording here.
The 22nd annual Festival of Social Science will take place this year Saturday 19 October – Saturday 9 November, with the theme ‘Our Digital Lives’
This national festival offers the chance to create an inspiring event which enables you to connect your research in a creative and engaging way with a broad public audience.
For the second year, BU is partnering with the University of Southampton (UoS) and we are particularly keen to hear from researchers who have already established collaborations with UoS colleagues and may wish to run a joint event. This collaboration enables us to run an extended programme of events, broadening our impact reach and expanding our networks across Dorset and Hampshire.
Funding of up to £1,000 per event is available, and BU’s Public Engagement with Research team offers continuing advice and support on all areas of event development, planning, delivery and evaluation.
What is the ESRC Festival of Social Science?
The ESRC Festival of Social Science is an annual, UK-wide, free celebration of the social sciences. The festival consists of a series of events run each autumn, delivered by ESRC’s ‘festival partners’, higher education institutions from across the UK. Events range from exhibitions, lectures, panel debates, performances, and workshops. Bournemouth University has been involved in the Festival for over a decade.
What if I’ve never done public engagement before?
Everyone has to start somewhere, and this is the ideal place. You’ll have access to support, advice and training throughout. If you’re unsure, seek out a more experienced colleague to collaborate with.
The ESRC says that events must “feature social science (ideally with a social scientist involved in the event)”. If this doesn’t clearly apply to you, consider these options;
Does your research have clear implications for society that could be explored from a social science perspective?
Could you collaborate with a social scientist, combining your resources and creativity to explore the impact of your research? If you’re looking for a collaborator, the Research Blog or BU website are great places to start or contact us for help
What support will I get?
Being part of this festival means a higher level of support and reach than we usually provide.
Before applying, you’ll have access to:
Advice on request from BU’s Public Engagement Team
The ESRC’s Festival Event Leader pack
When your application is successful, you’ll get:
Funding of up to £1,000 managed by RDS
Training provided by the ESRC Festival of Social Science
Continuing advice and support from BU’s public engagement team on all areas of planning, delivering, evaluating your activity
Wide-scale promotion and marketing of your event by BU, UoS and the ESRC
How to Apply
Apply to take part in the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2024 by completing the online application form by midnight at the end of Thursday 16 May 2024.
Guided by BU computer science researcher 
About the Festival of Social Science
What is the ESRC Festival of Social Science?
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