2019 Programme

The Ethics, Politics and Practices of ‘Alternative’ Forms of Organisation

Dr Alice Willatt’s research draws on participatory approaches to co-generate knowledge on the ethics, politics and practices of ‘alternative’ forms of organisation focused on social and ecological justice.  Taking a woodland walk with a community group funded by Gloucester Gloucestershire Gateway Trust (partners of the award-winning Gloucester Services on the M5), this event will explore how businesses can enrich their local communities.

Fernan Hernandez

Dr Fernan Hernandez, a researcher at the University of Bristol, will bring together young people and youth workers from Bristol based Integrate UK and Bristol Youth Horn Concern to combine their expertise and help raise awareness of violent extremism.

Social Justice for Health Technologies

Dr Sophie Turnbull is interested in the relationship between social justice and the development of health technologies. Working with the community of Hartcliffe in South Bristol, this event will explore how questions of justice and equality impact on the way we imagine, design and use technology to live healthier lives.

What Have Directly Elected Mayors Ever Done For Us? 

There are 25 directly elected mayors in the UK, with the prospect of more to come. Bristol now has two directly elected mayors, one who heads Bristol City Council, and another who leads the West of England combined authority. Drawing on research conducted locally, nationally, and internationally, this interactive event aims to advance understanding of the impact of the introduction of directly elected mayors on English local government. It includes the following speakers:

  • Arianna Giovannini, Institute for Public Policy Research North and De Montfort University
  • Baroness Barbara Janke, Member of the House of Lords and former Leader, Bristol City Council
  • Alessandro Sancino, The Open University, and former local and national politician in Italy
  • David Sweeting, University of Bristol
  • Chair: Thom Oliver, University of the West of England, Bristol

Food Poverty & Community

This event is all about celebrating food. From its preparation, sharing and eating to its role in society and the power it has to bring together communities.  Researchers from the University of Bristol will work alongside 91 Ways, an organisation whose events use the uniting power of food to bridge the gaps between Bristol’s 91 language communities, helping to build a more united and sustainable global city. We know that the choices we make about how we eat have a direct impact on our quality of life and our environment.  This event will invite people to share their stories, personal food journeys, recipes and passions in order to build understanding between communities. We’ll explore these issues whilst bringing people together to cook and eat!

RSA Bristol: The Future of Work

This event is a partnership between RSA SW and Engine Shed. It is part of the Economic and Social Research Council’s national Festival of Social Sciences, Thinking Futures Festival 2019 and the Bristol Tech Festival. There will be a series of fast-paced talks from a range of speakers on what the future of work looks like to them, with particular focus on the RSA’s Four Futures of Work areas.  There will be a panel discussion with Q&A, before an opportunity to network.

Imagining our Technological Future

Professor of Sociology, Susan Halford, is visiting Bristol Tech Fair to present a creative workshop bringing together kids and their families to think about our shared futures with technology. Susan’s work puts humans at the centre of technological development, engaging society in co-imagining technological futures.