About
The ESRC Festival of Social Science is an annual programme of events taking place at universities across the UK with the goal of connecting the public to the fascinating world of the Social Sciences.
The 2026 festival is taking place from 17th October to 7th November, with hundreds of events to be delivered across the country. All events are free of charge and open to public audiences, with some targeted events tailored towards specific groups or communities.
The Social Sciences are integral to our understanding of society and the world around us. The term covers a broad range of subjects relating to society, community and people. This includes Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Management and Business Studies, Law, Economic and Social History, Politics and Human Geography, among others.
As Professor David Cowan, the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account Strategic Lead, highlights: “The social sciences play a vital role in understanding how we live, love, learn, work and are governed. Our exciting array of activities [at Cardiff] demonstrate how our creative social scientific thinking can help you reflect, and can impact, on your daily lives – where you might live, what you eat, how you move between spaces, what you might do without money. We have a vibrant range of activities to get you thinking creatively.’
'Be a Social Scientist'
On Tuesday 27th October our ‘Be a Social Scientist’ event will take place at Sparc | Spark, the UK’s only Social Science Research Park. Aimed at children and families, the event promises to be an engaging and interactive day for young people to take part in activities designed by Cardiff University researchers. This will include quizzes, games and creative responses to societal issues through collage, Lego and clay.
School Outreach Events
As part of our programme, there will also be outreach events for students studying GCSE and A-level Sociology at local schools. Working with teachers, the full-day events will connect the curriculum to higher education and current issues, while introducing school learners to research methods in the social sciences.
AI and Creativity
Additionally, we are hosting an engaging workshop that will explore the relationship between creativity and AI, particularly in professional, creative and cultural contexts. This workshop will be delivered in collaboration with the University of South Wales.
The Festival of Social Science is made possible thanks to funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It is an annual celebration, bringing social sciences to life, showcasing how this helps us understand and improve the world around us.
