#Fancy a cuppa meaning free#

The event is hosted by Senate House Library, University of London, and SAS’ Institute of English Studies. Join this live conversation event with Pratchett’s friends and collaborators as they explore his fantastical Discworld universe. The late Terry Pratchett’s novels created a new world where fantasy, science-fiction, humour and satire co-existed, firing the imagination of millions of readers. Magical Mind: the World of Terry Pratchett with Neil Gaiman and Rob Wilkins (17 November, 6–7 pm), Senate House Library (‘hacking’ its Pratchett archive).

#Fancy a cuppa meaning free#

Join us at the Watt Institution to hear stories and memories from local residents and pick up your own free sensory kit to discover the smells and histories at home.

Greenock’s port was a global hub for sugar refining in the mid-19th century. Step back in time with the British Academy and the University of St Andrews to explore the diverse and complicated history, smells and stories of Greenock, a ‘Sugaropolis’. Sensing Sugaropolis (20 November, 11am–2pm).

Yet this was also a dynamic centre with global connections, described in these stories via a self-guided walk around the nearby Whitfield Valley Nature reserve, or on the website. Chatterley Whitfield Colliery’s derelict chimneys and winding gear are a defining landmark of the vast North Staffordshire coalfield.

Mining Migrations (12 November, 10am–5 pm), Keele University.

Professor Churchwell and playwright and critic Bonnie Greer, both natives of Chicago, will discuss the impact of the 2020 American election.

Being Human in Conversation: the American Election (12 November, 6–7pm).

Other highlights of Being Human 2020 include: David will give a thought-provoking talk and Q&A on decolonisation and ‘new worlds’. The dynamic political and cultural relevance of Being Human 2020 will be demonstrated at its launch event by festival patron and prominent broadcaster and historian David Olusoga, who has exemplified the power of research in his own work like A House Through Time and Britain’s Forgotten Slave Owners. “They demonstrate our shared commitment to understanding and expressing what it means to be human together.” “Our new Being Human Cafés – hosted by more than 30 of our participants – exemplify not only our collective determination to adapt to changing circumstances, but also the continued importance of cultural and humanistic connections, especially in this challenging moment. Professor Sarah Churchwell, the festival’s director, said: “The commitment, ingenuity and sheer persistence of our community has ensured the continuation of a vibrant and fascinating Being Human at a time when, sadly, so many other events have disappeared. They include the Forty Winks Café reflecting on contemporary culture, sleep and health with researchers from Northumbria University, and a ‘Boston’ tea party café exploring Black Country dialect with the University of Wolverhampton. That’s because this year’s festival will also act as a testing ground for new cultural formats, comprising a range of online events including virtual tours, quizzes, exhibitions and storytelling, as well as socially distanced face-to-face activities and, for the first time, virtual cafés.Ī cross-festival community initiative, Being Human cafés invite people to put the kettle on, break out the biscuits and engage with some new ideas in the humanities in the time that it takes for a cuppa. Luckily for its fans, Being Human has proved itself an event that Covid-19 couldn’t cancel. Now in its seventh year, this multi-city festival run in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy, appeals to a huge public audience: in 2019, 30,000 people attended events. As expected, given the pandemic, online activities have come to the fore. DESPITE THE Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 programme for Being Human, the annual humanities festival led by the School of Advanced Study (SAS) at the University of London, launches today with an impressive 220 events exploring this year’s ‘New Worlds’ theme from November 12 to 22.Īlready well-established as the UK’s only annual celebration of humanities research, the programme boasts a diverse range of events delivered by academic researchers in collaboration with community and cultural partners such as museums, artists, charities, and many others.