The AHRC is working with the School of advance study on the UK’s first national festival dedicated to demonstrating the value, vitality and relevance of humanities research called Being Human. The festival will explore what it means to be human over nine days from 15 to 23 November 2014.
Being Human is now inviting higher education institutions across the country to apply for small grants to participate in the festival by holding their own public events and activities to showcase innovative humanities research.
The grants will fund creative programming which engages the public with leading humanities research, including debates, performances, virtual activities and exhibitions.
Festival director, Professor Barry Smith of the School of Advanced Study, said: ‘In today’s hyper connected world, where it is possible to connect with millions of people at the touch of a screen, the study of humanities and what makes us human has never been more in the spotlight.’
‘Being Human will get to the heart of what it means to be human today and how key thinking in the humanities affects our lives, from shaping our scientific studies and how our society works, to the effect it has on the economy.’
Held with the participation of arts and cultural organisations and universities across the UK, the festival will draw together the most exciting and inspiring work in the humanities research field to present a week of creative public events that inspire, inform and extend our contemporary thinking and imagination.
Professor Smith continued: ‘There is a huge amount of exciting work happening in the humanities right now, and we are inviting universities across the country to hold their own events to highlight the vitality and interdisciplinary nature of humanities today.’
For further information on how to apply for funding, visit: www.sas.ac.uk/support-research/being-human-festival