Cultures, challenges and injustices: Festival of Social Sciences in Bangor

From dance forms to welfare reforms, Bangor University is taking part in the Economic & Social Research Council’s Festival of Social Sciences again this year, and is inviting the public to take part in a wide variety of events.

Year 12 & 13 school pupils will be visiting the University on 6 November to take part in workshops and seminars discussing the different forms of injustice experienced by people living in England and Wales in the 21st century.

Faces of injustice: Social sciences and social justice will enable young people to explore the sorts of injustices people face in the 21st century.  The event will highlight to the young students, the role that social science research can play in fighting these injustices, and finding solutions to social problems.

Peter Shapely, Head of the School of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences said:

“By providing the young students with an opportunity to discuss their experiences of crime and criminal justice; problems concerning stigma and discrimination; and other current issues, they can see how society deals with these issues and how studying society in all its forms helps us to make sense of the world around us. Our students gain analytical and critical skills which are valued in the workplace.”

Welfare reforms come under the spotlight on 9 November in an event which will bring together local authority workers, Department for Work and Pension representatives, advisers from the Citizens Advice Bureau, members of the public and academics to discuss Universal Credit: The challenge of welfare reform.

Organiser Dr David Beck explained that the aim was to provide an opportunity for local policymakers to take a step back to consider how the introduction of Universal Credit could impact on the various organisations in the local area.

He said: “The roll-out of Universal Credit, as a reform to the way in which welfare is administered, has so far been a monumental challenge for the government. Even their own departments are struggling to organise this important policy change. This event aims to bring some clarity through dialogue about Universal Credit, and how frontline service organisations can meet the challenge.”

Local people are being invited in to sample some activities brought to use via other cultures: an Adopted Cultures Day is taking place in Pontio between 10.30 and 16.30 on Saturday 10 November 2018. People are invited to come along to view demonstrations, attend a talk and discussion and try taster sessions of non-Western practices such as yoga, capoeira and salsa.

Event organiser Jochen Eisentraut said: “There are many local groups who practice types of dance, music or movement which originally come from far-away cultures. Whether are they are from India, Brazil or Cuba, these activities are enjoyable, sociable and healthy, and usually also have a deeper meaning. In addition, they make us think about our relationship with other cultures; and with our own."

The Economic and Social Research Council’s Festival of Social Science  is the UK’s biggest celebration of social science, and highlights the impact of social science research on people's lives.

Publication date: 29 October 2018