Free family activities and thought-provoking events to return in University of Warwick's jam-packed public events programme

Friday 20th of October 2023 12:08 PM

Exciting free events and fascinating talks from one of the UK’s leading universities have returned to inspire and engage people across the region.

Resonate, the year-round public learning and entertainment programme from the University of Warwick, has launched a jam-packed Autumn/Winter schedule to open up its world-renowned thinking and research to the public.

An ever-growing calendar of events in Coventry, Leamington and Birmingham including a film festival, activities as part of the Coventry Biennial, remotely accessible virtual events, and the award-winning Warwick Christmas Lectures is now available at www.resonatefestival.co.uk/whats-on

After a sold-out event in October, Science on the Hill will return on December 5, where biomedical scientists and psychologists will come together to discuss the biology of stress.

The event will take place on the back of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Festival of Social Science, which runs until November 17 and investigates the changes in modern society and how it impacts human behaviour. 

Warwick’s contribution to the UK-wide festival begins with Warwick Law School’s annual Black History Month Lecture on Wednesday, October 25, as audiences are transported back 80 years to 1943 when Learie Constantine, a renowned Black cricketer, experienced racial discrimination that impacted the development of the UK's first Race Relations Act.

It will then head to Leamington for “Our Society - Explore, Uncover, Discover”. Held at 1 Mill Street on Thursday, October 26, the range of short talks and discussions will focus on topics from affordable housing to ‘super-apps’.

Screening Rights Film Festival, the West Midlands’ social justice film festival taking place across Birmingham and Coventry, will see nine films exploring the political utopian potential of dreams shown at Warwick Arts Centre with Q&A opportunities and audience interaction.

“The Last Taboo of Motherhood?”, an exhibition exploring how postnatal mental illness has been historically overlooked (November 4-11), and “A Bit OCD”, investigating how we talk about youth mental health and neurodivergence in collaboration with the University of Birmingham (November 2), will also take place as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science.

Resonate is also collaborating with the Warwick Arts Centre and Foleshill Community Centre for the Planting Roots Festival, which explores how community is interlinked with ideas of sustainability and environment through an action-packed day of events, activities and workshops for all the family on Saturday, November 4.

Catherine Ashton, Chancellor of the University of Warwick, will also be joining the Festival on Thursday, November 9 for an evening of conversation with Professor Özlem Atikcan to discuss her new book ‘And Then What? Inside Stories of 21st Century Diplomacy’.

Dr Kerry Baker, Associate Director at Warwick Institute of Engagement, part of the University of Warwick, said: “We are delighted that the first term of this year’s programme has such a diverse array of talks, lectures and workshops for people across Coventry and Warwickshire to enjoy.

“We are continuing to build on the success of last year’s programme, working in partnership with communities and organisations across the region to devise interactive and enjoyable events which explore the world and the society we live in via a range of disciplines, with something to interest and enthuse everyone’s curiosity, no matter their age or background.”  

For more information visit www.resonatefestival.co.uk