2022 event highlights

This will be an exhibition of photographs from the Inside Out exhibition by two brothers from Tiger Bay, Anthony and Simon Campbell (sons of Betty Campbell). The photographs are from the 1970s-1990s, and depict images of Butetown and Tiger Bay.

The exhibition will provide diverse images of Cardiff and ‘My local area’ from those usually accessible, which encourage visitors to consider issues of identity and belonging.

Who is leading the event

• Alyson Rees, Professor in Social Sciences at Cardiff University
• Richard Gale, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography at Cardiff University
• Umbrella Cardiff

The event is open to all

This exhibition is open throughout the whole Festival, 09:00-17:00, Monday to Friday.

15:00-17:00

In this session Paul Whittaker, OBE will explain how BSL works, encourage participants to think about the actual meaning of a song beyond the lyrics, how it can be translated into BSL and how to include nonverbal elements of the musical text and the emotion contained in a song into a signed performance. The emphasis in this event is on participating. We’ll begin with a few really simple songs with simple signs, then build up to something a bit more complex. Workshop leader, Paul Whittaker, will participate in roundtable and Q&A session chaired by Angela Tarantini, whose Marie Curie fellowship is centred on sign language interpreted music.  The audience will have a chance to ask questions and interact with one of the pioneers of song signing in the UK.

Learn a new skill, pick up some sign language and, above all, have fun (you don’t have to sing!)

A sought-after and engaging diversity speaker, session leader Paul Whittaker, OBE, has spent over 30 years leading song signing workshops, in addition to being a musician and a BSL performer for many musical shows and concerts across the UK. He is also an assessor of song signing competition, and his aim is to raise the standard of song signing in BSL.

Who is leading the event

• Paul Whittaker, OBE
• Angela Tarantini, Research Fellow in the School of Modern Languages at Cardiff University
• Monika Hennemann, Reader in Music at Cardiff University

The event is open to all

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15:00-18:00

This event marks the launch of this year's ESRC Festival of Social Science in Cardiff. It will be an opportunity to find out about all upcoming Festival events, and to experience some of the exciting social science research being done at Cardiff University and with our community partners. There will be food, a live band, and fun activities which celebrate social science and our local area.

This event is open to all

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12:30 - 14:30

This Zoom event will focus on the key elements of the Welsh Government’s proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). Following an opening panel discussion, attendees will be invited to discuss their thoughts on the above topics in a breakout room, in which a facilitator will make notes of the key topics discussed. A plenary session will follow, in which panellists will respond to the key points raised in the breakout room discussions - this will be the main event. The session will conclude with a Q&A and final conclusions from the Chair.

It will consider the SFS’ objectives, the key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges relating to the SFS, and the process of policy development since the first consultation in 2018 (Brexit and Our Land). The aim of the session is to produce a response to the current consultation on the SFS, based on the discussion and workshop contributions of attendees.

Who is leading the event

• Lydia Beaman, Doctoral Student at Cardiff University
• Aimee Morse, Doctoral Student at University of Gloucestershire
• Theo Lenormand, Doctoral Student at University of Gloucestershire

This event is open to all

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17:00 - 19:30

A screening of the documentary “Guavira Time”. The documentary is 40 minutes long, in Portuguese and Guarani, with subtitles in Spanish and in English. The film will be screened in person at Cardiff University and also online via Zoom. After the documentary Brazilian participants (including indigenous and non-indigenous participants who took part in the documentary) will offer their personal and community perspective. This will be followed by a Q&A session.

The documentary discusses and problematises the violence suffered by the Guarani-Kaiowa who are the second largest indigenous group in Brazil and the most seriously affected by anti-indigenous violence. At the centre of those controversies, is the encroachment of extractivism and agribusiness farming upon Guarani-Kaiowa areas. The documentary is an important 'more-than-academic' contribution of ongoing partnership between Cardiff University and the Federal University of the Great Dourados since 2017, funded by ESRC, AHRC, the British Academy and the Newton Fund.

Who is leading the event

• Antonio Ioris, Reader in Human Geography at Cardiff University
• Tatiane Klein, Doctoral Student at University of São Paulo, Brazil

This event is open to young people (aged 17-25) and adults.

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18:00-20:30

This event will be based around a showing of the film of Bhekizizwe, an operatic monodrama by Mkhululi Mabija (librettist) and Robert Fokkens (composer), produced by Opera’r Ddraig in 2021. The event will include a small interactive exhibition, the film showing, and a facilitated discussion around the themes of the piece, including immigration, diversity and racism, with a panel of speakers including Tony Hendrickson and Themba Mvula.

The event seeks to explore the key themes of the opera – immigration, racism, diversity – and to contribute to both public understanding and the development of a positive public conversation around these issues, particularly in the arts sector.

Who is leading the event

• Robert Fokkens, Senior Lecturer in Composition at Cardiff University

This is open to all over-16s.

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17:30-19:30

This event workshop will outline the findings from a project on consumer rights and COVID flight cancellations. This will be followed by talks from consumer rights experts on what passengers can do when their flights are cancelled, and possible avenues of redress. The airlines representatives can share how they are responding to this crisis and provide an overview on recent changes on flight cancellation policies.  At the end of the session, the attendees will be given an opportunity to ask questions from our panel.  It is envisaged that the attendees will have greater understanding of their rights as air passenger and how the crisis is being handled by the airlines, which consequently will make travel less daunting.

The COVID-19 pandemic saw mass flight cancellations, and even in this recovery period, travellers are still facing disruption and suffering the consequences (e.g., disappointment, stress, unrecoverable cost, lost holidays).  Our research, funded by LAWPL, reveals that consumers have a low awareness of their consumer rights and avenues for redress.  Consumers were found to generally trust airlines to look after them, but some consumers had negative experiences with claiming for refund and were nudged into accepting travel vouchers or rebooking. Due to the lack of knowledge on how to claim refunds, some have been left out of pocket.

Although travel restrictions have been lifted and travel regulations become less complex, flight cancellations continue to be a major problem for many travellers.  It is crucial for both consumers and airlines to have a dialogue on this issue. This event, designed for the general public, will give the attendees the opportunity to understand their consumer rights as air passengers and for airlines to reach out to consumers.

Who is leading the event

• Carmela Bosangit, Senior Lecturer in Marketing at Cardiff University
• Sara Drake, Reader in European Union Law and EU Competition Law at Cardiff University
• Charlotte Rimmer, Lecturer at Bangor Business School

This event is open to all

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18:30-20:30

Societies are facing complex challenges and our public services (healthcare, transport, energy, housing, waste management, policing etc.) are under intense pressure. We cannot solve problems that we do not talk about, so come along to play a new board game, designed to spark conversations about public services, public spending choices, and policies for building prosperous, resilient, and globally responsible societies. The board game is played in teams of 4, but you can come as a larger or smaller group and get matched up with other people on the spot.

Learn about the latest research on public procurement taking place in Cardiff University from Dr Oishee Kundu and Prof. Jane Lynch, and become more aware of your local area and its governance.

Who is leading the event

• Oishee Kundu, Research Associate for Y Lab at Cardiff University
• Jane Lynch, Professor in Procurement at Cardiff University

This event is open to adults

Register

11:30-13:00

Interactive talk and activities by the Child Bilingualism Lab: in this bilingual event, attendees will hear about the latest research in the field, and will have the opportunity to try out tasks and games.

Did you know that learning two languages can improve children’s cognitive skills? Or that children with developmental disabilities can learn English and Welsh without additional language difficulties? The Child Bilingualism lab investigates language and thinking skills in bilingual children, with focus on Welsh-English bilingualism.

By attending this event, attendees will get a hands-on experience of using specialist tools and activities. They will also learn about how language and thinking skills develop in children exposed to two languages, including children with developmental disabilities such as Rett syndrome and Down Syndrome

Who is leading the event

The events will be hosted by the Child Bilingualism Lab:  Dr Eirini Sanoudaki, Dr Athanasia Papastergiou (Bangor University's School of Arts Culture and Language), Dr Rebecca Ward (Swansea University's School of Psychology) and Bangor University’s Doctoral students in Bilingualism Bethan Collins, Rebecca Day and Felicity Parry.

This event is open to all

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13:30-15:00

This event will comprise two sections; a presentation/discussion by Bangor researchers on the topic of Universal Basic Income and Climate change, followed by a question and answer section. The question and answer session will allow the attendees to ask questions on/related to the topic discussed by the authors.

This event will critically discuss the idea of Universal Basic Income with a focus on how the UBI idea can help solve the current global social problem of climate change. In brief: Governments all over the world are announcing "climate and environmental crises" to draw attention to the unsustainable ways in which people have changed the earth over a few generations. The pace of global warming has delayed the onset of the next ice age and world governments have declared an emergent climate. Social scientists have analysed policies designed for the Anthropocene which Nature Sustainability research focuses on command- and-control measures like taxes, subsidies, and fines. Among these possible old policies that are seen as of potential policies to address climate change and global warming is the Universal Basic Income (UBI). Therefore, is the idea of Universal Basic Income the solution to the current emergent climate change? How do human actions and activities change the climate?

Join us as we critically explore this topic to save our planet.

Who is leading the event

Stella Gmekpebi Gabuljah and Dr Hefin Gwylim from Bangor University's School of History, Law and Social Sciences

All are welcome to attend.

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15:00-16:30

The central component of this event is a pre-recorded webinar, followed by a live Q&A session. The recording and Q&A will be available online following the event. Additional questions will also be answered on social media.

This webinar will introduce the WISERD Education Multi-Cohort Study, a longitudinal study of the changing perceptions of secondary school pupils over the last 10 years, and will provide an insight into how we work with schools and policy makers.
The primary focus will be to celebrate the voice of pupils, and share their changing views on issues of interest to policymakers and professionals, including:
- How school experience were impacted by the pandemic.
- Perception of school as the Curriculum for Wales continues to be rolled out.
- Pupil engagement are issues including politics, wellbeing and equality
- Ambitions and aspirations for future work, study and family life.

Who is leading the event

• Laura Arman, Research Associate for WISERD at Cardiff University
• Chris Taylor, Professor of Social Sciences at Cardiff University
• Rhian Barrance, Lecturer in School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University
• Sally Power, Professor of Social Science and Co-Director of WISERD at Cardiff University

This event will benefit teachers, school governors, education professionals and policymakers especially, as attendees will gain an insight into the issues affecting pupils.

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17:00-18:30

This workshop explores the historical and social context of how we use plants, manage our bodily health and represent the natural world. The discussion looks at the connection between different medicinal and eco-friendly traditions and current practices, and how these are represented in public settings like museums, focusing on knowledge relevant to people linked to their local environment e.g. Cardiff area.

During the workshop we will ‘show and tell’ a range of products and plants which have been used by women throughout the years for menstrual support, and consider how personal care practices, social relations and ecological concerns have impacted and shaped different trends. We will offer a tea tasting of three plant infusions and a dried herb will be offered for participants to take away.

This workshop considers how we can build practical knowledge of how to care for health using herbs/plants as menstrual products, while considering how this knowledge could be best communicated to others in public settings. The underpinning research of this event is done in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru|National Museum Wales.

Who is leading the event

• Fiona Roberts, Doctoral Student in the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University
• Alice Essam, Doctoral Student in the School of Geography and Planning at Cardiff University
• Amelia Curtis-Rogers, Doctoral Student in the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University

This event is particularly suited for adults and teenagers.

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14:00-16:00

This is an 'around the fire' storytelling event professional storyteller Milly Jackdaw and Lucy Finchett-Maddock will work interactively with participants and audience members to tell chosen Welsh tales from history and folklore, in order to communicate and identify principles of law found within ‘lore’. The focus of the stories would be specifically around environmental justice, such as ‘Rhyfel y Sais Bach‘ by Eirion Jones on common rights and stewardship, and those most relevant to climate change and the environment, selected from the Mabinogion.

Participants will be introduced to basic storytelling methods, as well as areas of law concerning the environment (with particular focus on the Wellbeing for Future Generations Act 2015), think about the usefulness of storytelling as a method for giving access to the law.

Who is leading the event

• Lucy Finchett-Maddock, School of History, Law and Social Sciences at Bangor University
• Milly Jackdaw, Professional Storyteller

This event is particularly suited for adults and teenagers.

Register

11:30-13:30

Societies are facing complex challenges and our public services (healthcare, transport, energy, housing, waste management, policing etc.) are under intense pressure. We cannot solve problems that we do not talk about, so come along to play a new board game, designed to spark conversations about public services, public spending choices, and policies for building prosperous, resilient, and globally responsible societies. The board game is played in teams of 4, but you can come as a larger or smaller group and get matched up with other people on the spot.

Learn about the latest research on public procurement taking place in Cardiff University from Dr Oishee Kundu and Prof. Jane Lynch, and become more aware of your local area and its governance.

Who is leading the event

• Oishee Kundu, Research Associate for Y Lab at Cardiff University
• Jane Lynch, Professor in Procurement at Cardiff University

This event is family friendly.

Register

14:00-16:00

The event will be an introduction to the Understanding Welsh Places (UWP) website. A brief introduction will be followed by an interactive, hands-on workshop where attendees can learn how to use the website. You will be shown how you can use data about your local area (Cardiff and South Wales / Bangor and North Wales) to help you understand where you live and how it is similar or different to neighbouring places. Exploring the similarities and contrasts might give you ideas for your place, or you can share examples of your best practice with others.

On the UWP website you will find useful data and geographical information about your town or local area to help you identify opportunities for your community. This includes information about every place in Wales with 1,000 or more residents. If you live in a town or community with fewer than 2,000 people, you will find that there is less data available than for larger places. There is data on the demographic, social and economic make up of an area, the availability of community services and assets including public transport, and data on how people move between places such as commuting and migration patterns. The graphics, maps and guidance on the website will help you to explore the data you need to make a difference in the place where you live or work.

Who is leading the event

• Scott Orford, Professor in Spatial Analysis and GIS at Cardiff University
• Sam Jones, Research Data Officer for WISERD at Cardiff University

Although anyone can attend, we would particularly like to attract members of town and community councils, civil society and third sector groups who would benefit from working with comparative data on their local areas.

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10:00-12:00

This three-hour session will be an interactive in-person workshop to explore the views of people in social care and their visions for the future of social care. This event explores the findings of a research project, run jointly by Cardiff University's Y Lab and the People Powered Results Team at Nesta. The project looked into support for innovation in social care.

During the session we will: briefly explore the research findings, take a walk through some of the visual outputs produced by the research, interact with people’s stories and opinions of what needs to change, and refine the 10 Visions for the Future of Social Care in Wales that our research participants inspired us to create.

We know that our social care systems aren’t working, but what can we do to change that and create a healthier Wales? If you’re passionate about social care - come share, network, and exchange to have your say about what should and could happen. All are welcome - especially those who don’t know what the word ‘innovation’ means. This event is targeted at people who work in and on social care, those with lived experience of our social care system, and the families (or support networks) that navigate it.

Who is leading the event

• Alexis Palá, Research Associate in Y Lab of Cardiff University
• Stephanie Griffith, Innovation Manager at Social Care Wales

This event is open to adults and service users of Social Care.

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10:30-11:30

The event begins with a short film that illustrates the journey of a care experienced young person when trying to access mental health services, and some of the barriers that can be encountered. This leads into a discussion of the topic which will involve an interactive element aimed to encourage participants to view mental health services through the eyes of care-experienced young people. The short film and activities are co-designed with young people.

The topic of discussion is the mental health needs of care-experienced young people, and the gaps and barriers to their ability to access remote mental health services. Attendees can expect to learn more about the topic and some of the current work being conducted in this area.

Who is leading the event

• Aimee Cummings, PhD Student with CASCADE at Cardiff University
• Lorna Stabler, Research Associate with CASCADE at Cardiff University

Anyone is welcome to attend, but this event is better suited to anyone with an interest in the topic, especially mental health service providers, social workers, young people with care experience, or their carers.

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13:00-14:30

This event is an online Zoom session to discuss feelings and knowledge about testicular health and fertility. Attendees will use drawing and writing activities to explore issues surrounding their knowledge of testicular health and fertility, and their feelings about discussing testicular health with peers, family and health care professionals.

This is followed by a group discussion about how feelings and knowledge may impact an individual’s help seeking behaviour and what could be done to potentially help young men discuss testicular health and fertility concerns. The group will be invited to watch four animations on testicular health and fertility, and reflect on how they impact previous thoughts, feelings and knowledge on the subject. These animations were developed in collaboration with the British Fertility Society.

Who is leading the event?

• China Harrison, Research Associate in School of Psychology at Cardiff University
• Jacky Boivin, Professor of Health Psychology at Cardiff University

This event is suitable for individuals aged 14-25

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17:15-18:30

‘I think peace of mind and forgiveness kind of go hand in hand.’

This 1-hour seminar aims to illuminate the integral, but often unnoticed, role that forgiving (and not forgiving) plays in our personal relationships. Findings from an ongoing sociological research project will be used to highlight the multiple ways in which forgiveness becomes relevant to relationships: from the mundane maintenance of partnerships, and small-scale reconciliations in friendships and families, to recovery from the most challenging of circumstances, transgressions, and betrayals. It is hoped that this talk will engage participants with their own experiences of forgiveness, and get us thinking about how relationships can both thrive and suffer in relation to forgiveness.

To illustrate the prevalence of forgiveness in our everyday lives, the event will begin with ‘Forgiveness Bingo’, asking questions such as: Have you ever forgiven a friend? Have you ever been told that you shouldn’t forgive someone? This is followed by a discussion about feelings and experiences of forgiveness, which is framed through examples from Owen Abbott’s research findings.

Note on sensitivity

This session involves discussions of forgiveness in personal relationships that are likely to be sensitive in nature. Participants will be welcomed to reflect on their own experiences if they are comfortable doing so, however, you do not have to do so if you do not want to. Discussions of people’s experiences must be respected, and listened and responded to thoughtfully. The event will be supported by OnePlusOne, a charity with over 50 years of experience supporting and strengthening people’s relationships. They will be on hand to provide support to participants should it be required.

Who is leading the event

• Owen Abbot, Research Associate in the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University
• Penny Mansfield, Joint Lead Researcher at OnePlusOne

This event is open to all

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