The Coventry University Festival of Social Science: 19 October - 9 November 2024

The Festival of Social Science (FoSS) is an annual celebration of the social sciences. This year's theme is "Our Digital Lives."

The FoSS provides a fascinating and unique insight into the nation’s leading research and its impact on our social, economic and political lives. It offers an opportunity to discover how social science research shapes public policy, enhances economic competitiveness and deepens our understanding of 21st-century society.

Coventry University’s festival features events across Coventry city centre and the university campus. Attendees can engage with various interactive activities run by university researchers, showcasing the latest research into people and society. These events allow the local community to explore a wide range of social science topics in a fun and accessble way.

All FoSS events at Coventry University are free, open to people of all ages and may be delivered in person, online or in hybrid formats. Please check back over the summer for information about this year’s programme.

The three-week festival is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which supports research and training in social science subjects.

Economic and Social Research Council logos

FoSS 2024 Events

This year, we’re excited to present a range of events that celebrate and explore the social sciences in dynamic ways.

From an inclusive dance workshop for d/Deaf communities to an in-person session focused on those ‘left behind’ by healthy eating messages, we have something for everyone. You can also dive into the world of digital wellbeing and health through gameplay or experience somatic movements that bring awareness to both body and mind.

Explore our offerings and register below:

illustration of a person surrounded by colour

'Movement Snacks' for Wellbeing

A movement snack is a short session of movement that encourages small amounts of gentle movement during the day.

Our Digital Lives: Gaming for Wellbeing and Learning

Join us to explore the world of digital wellbeing and health through game play.

Five bowls of healthy food on a yellow background

Fat Flourishing

A panel discussion and interactive workshop on fat flourishing.

In Order to Flourish: Inclusive Nutrition for Disability Justice

An in-person workshop focusing on those 'left behind' by healthy eating messages.

Strictly in Motion!

An inclusive dance workshop for d/Deaf communities.

Data and AI: Empowering Communities

A talk followed by a panel discussion and photography exhibition on collective responsibility around our use of AI and data.

FoSS 2023 Event Archive

Last year, we offered 13 diverse and exciting events that engaged the community in various social science topics.

Our programme included improving the mental well-being of teenage girls through a new app designed to guide mindfulness; interactive sessions that opened discussions around food and nutrition and using game design to imagine and build sustainable cities. We also explored the opportunities and risks of remote working for neurodiverse and disabled people through informative webinars.

Please see our event archive below.

Doing Anti-Colonial Food Justice

An interactive event for community food workers (including volunteers) and anyone interested in the topic.

Creative Fabric Puppetry

Exploring character creation, narratives and fabric upcycling to create a personalised small scale “hero” puppet.

colourful yellow and green digital print

Digital Mandala Creation

Combining physical and digital creation to create mindful mandala or “zen tangle” art-work.

Play in Education, Seriously?

Play games for education and meaningful experience.

Sound abstract in rainbow colours and black background

Composing with Found Sound

Also known as Acoustic ecology, explore and capture sounds around you before turning them into your very own soundscape.

Teenage Girls, Positive Minds

How friendships can tackle depression.

Abstract purple cubes on an orange background

Remote4All: How to create an inclusive workplace for neurodiverse and/or disabled remote workers

How to create an inclusive workplace for neurodiverse and/or disabled remote workers.

Building the Sustainable City, The Game

Use playful imagination and game design techniques to imagine what a sustainable city might look like.

Finding Queer Joy Through Food

Discussion and exploration around Queer Enjoyment of Food.

Enhancing Financial Wellbeing Mini Fair

Those attending the event should benefit from a better understanding of locally available resources and sources of help that can be used to improve how they manage and plan their finances.

coloured wooden pieces in the shape of people

Personal identities and the transition from school to university

In this session, our research will be shared prior to splitting into ‘story circles’ where participants can share ideas and experiences. We encourage you to bring an object which represents your identity as a discussion piece (ex: a trinket, photo, clothing).

white chalk diagonally reading 'Here you belong' on a brick wall

What do we mean by "belonging"?

The UK Government 5-year suicide prevention strategy for England highlights autistic people as a priority for suicide prevention and recommends tackling feelings of not belonging as an important intervention.

ESRC Impact Acceleration Account Award

The ESRC awarded Coventry University a £1.25 million Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) in March 202 to deliver a five-year programme of impact activities, starting in April 2023.

Find out more