Calls are now open for proposals of events for the 2016 Being Human Festival, taking place from 17 to 25 November.

Being Human is a festival led by the School of Advanced Studies at the University of London in collaboration with the British Academy and the Arts & Humanities Research Council.

Its main aims are to create opportunities for researchers to engage with non-academic audiences and to enhance the public visibility of humanities research.

The festival is in its 3rd year and growing quickly in popularity. This year's theme 'Hope and Fear' has been selected both for its capacity to speak to fundamental human traits and for its applicability across disciplinary boundaries in the humanities.

Researchers are invited to interpret this year’s theme in creative ways and to apply for funding to organise events that engage non-academic audiences.  Possible sub-themes are, but are not limited to:

  • Aging, health and wellbeing
  • Climate change and the environment
  • Endangered or new languages
  • Human rights
  • Human migration/population changes
  • New technologies
  • Terrorism and radicalisation
  • Urbanism (past and present), Smart Cities
  • Utopias and dystopias (cultural, social, political)

Funding of up to £2000 is available for individual events. Grants for up to £5000 will be considered for institutions willing to lead between 5-10 events as a Being Human ‘festival hub’.

The deadline for funding applications is 16 May, 5 pm.

Applications of non-funded events to be included under the umbrella of ‘Being Human’ are also considered and can be submitted in June (deadline tbc).

For application forms visit Being Human   

To help researchers getting involved in ‘Being Human 2016’, the University of Glasgow’s public engagement team has organised an information session:

Information Session: Get Involved in 'Being Human 2016: A Festival of the Humanities'

Join us for an information session looking at how to get involved in 'Being Human 2016: A Festival of the Humanities'

The session will provide:

  • an overview of the festival
  • examples of last year's activities 
  • a talk from a researcher who has previously organised a 'Being Human' event
  • detailed guidance on how to take part and how to apply for funding

When: Tuesday 19 April, 11.00-12.00
Where: Room 709, Boyd Orr Building
Tea and Coffee will be provided.

The event is free. Please register via Eventbrite: Being Human Information Session 

For find calls for other public engagement activities visit Public Engagement   

First published: 11 April 2016

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