College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Engaging events showcase humanities expertise

Research examining a range of issues impacting society and culture will be highlighted in a series of University events.

The workshops, hands-on activities and panel discussions are part of the Being Human Festival – an annual event celebrating humanities research – which runs from 15 to 24 November across the UK.

The events will explore topics such as the impact of digital developments on contemporary politics, theatre and surveillance in East Germany, the growth of Scots vocabulary and the City of Edinburgh’s connection with blood.

Showcasing research

A tour around the City of Edinburgh starting from George Square will have blood as a thread to link each stop.

It will explore how the theme of blood links to current issues such as immigration and climate change.

A film screening of Writing Ensemble 2015 and a discussion at the Scottish Storytelling centre will examine the history of theatre censorship and surveillance in East Germany, and how it links to contemporary debates about privacy and freedom of expression.

The film follows award-winning playwright Peter Arnott as he does research for his new play, Ensemble.

Wide-ranging programme

A panel discussion at the National Museum of Scotland will consider the impact of digital and data developments on politics.

Experts will examine if the likes of fake news and novel data-gathering techniques may impact the democratic process.

An event in partnership with Scottish Language Dictionaries will present the history of The Dictionar o the Scots Leid – The Dictionary of the Scots Language.

The audience can work with editors to identify evidence of Scots vocabulary from a collection of present-day Scots books and poems.

National festival

Being Human is led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, in partnership with the Arts & Humanities Research Council and the British Academy.

The 2018 Festival theme is Origins and Endings.

Universities throughout the UK are taking part with some related events in in Melbourne, Singapore, Paris, Rome, and in Princeton, New Jersey, USA.

You can join the discussion on Twitter using #BeingHuman18

To see the programme of events and to book tickets 

The full programme