A free festival of ideas from the British Academy
The British Academy's annual Summer Showcase is right around the corner, ready to broaden your horizons with a bumper programme of online talks, discussions and demos from the UK's leading humanities and social sciences hub. This week-long festival of ideas — which runs 14-19 June — won't cost you a penny. All you need is access to Zoom, an open mind, and a thirst for knowledge. From a look at early modern fortune-telling to the hidden histories of British hip hop, there's so much to get stuck into. Simply select the events that pique your curiosity and reserve your free ticket online.
On top of the virtual lineup, there are also a couple of self-guided audio tours if you fancy getting out and about in the capital. Click below to see the full programme or read on for the low-down on what you've got to look forward to from the worlds of history, psychology, sociology and more. Don't forget to use the hashtag #ForCuriousMinds to join the conversation online! |
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| Theatre In The Time Of COVID Explore the grounds of Covent Garden's Actors Church on this interactive audio tour that invites you to consider the importance of live performance and the impact of the pandemic on the art form. Along the way, you'll hear from artists on creating a social-distanced, post-COVID performance in this historic part of theatreland. Photograph by Richard Wyllie. |
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| Leaders In SHAPE Join psychologist and autism expert Professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen FBA for a virtual discussion about his life, his work, and his latest book, The Pattern Seekers. It's part of the British Academy's popular Leaders in SHAPE series, which shines a spotlight on influential figures in the humanities and social sciences. |
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Stitching Remembrance Celebrate the power of creativity at this online panel discussion on the War Widows' Quilt. This collaborative art project tells tales of love, loss, and grief that connect women who have lost a loved one — from the second world war to 21st-century conflicts. |
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Migrant Women Matter Learn about the unique issues affecting the UK's migrant domestic workers, who increasingly find themselves caught between destitution and exploitation. You'll hear from academic Dr Ella Parry-Davies and Mimi Jalmasco and Marissa Begonia of the Voice of Domestic Workers. |
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Thinking About Farming How is agriculture changing? What do these changes mean for farmers, dairy lovers, and cows? Find out at this thought-provoking online discussion which includes an optional virtual cheese tasting and talk featuring fromage from The Courtyard Dairy. |
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British Academy History Get to grips with the history of the British Academy and learn what it's like to write it from its president, Professor Sir David Cannadine PBA. This is the latest in the British Academy's 10-Minute Talks series — perfect for busy people craving a shot of cultural enrichment.
Photograph by Marcus Ginns. |
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Sunlight And Sleeping Tight Learn how changing your exposure to light can improve your sleep-wake cycle with psychologist Dr Nayantara Santi. Alongside author Linda Geddes, she'll explore the relationship between light, circadian rhythms, sleep, and mental functions. |
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| Foretelling Your Future Delve into the art of fortune-telling between 1500 and 1800 with Dr Martha McGill. Along the way, you'll discover a colourful cast of characters who used everything from astrology and palmistry to more obscure methods like scrying and 'portentous kale' to predict the future. |
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| Medieval Potions And Modern Lotions During the Middle Ages, people used all sorts of bizarre ingredients to treat their various ailments (snails, anyone?) But some home remedies, like lavender and ginger, have stood the test of time. Join Dr Claire Burridge and Hackney Herbal's Nat Mady to explore their efficacy and learn how to make your own herbal tea blend using historic ingredients. |
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British Hip Hop Pioneers The hidden histories of hip hop pioneers from rural and provincial Britain are revealed at this talk by ethnomusicologist Adam de Paor-Evans and DJ Mikey D.O.N. The event is accompanied by a podcast of the sound that inspired this 1980s musical scene.
New York (the Creators and Makers)' by Jay, Project Cee, and Scarce, Wall of Fame, Exeter, 1991. Photograph: Scarce |
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| Picturing Politics Take a virtual tour of the House of Commons chamber and explore how the public sees parliament at work. You'll hear from the official House photographer, Jessica Taylor, and look back to Victorian and Edwardian political illustrators and caricaturists with historians Dr Paul Seaward and Professor Richard Huzzey. |
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We Can Be Heroes This lively event for children aged three to nine and their families explores what classical stories can teach us. Hear fables from the Ancient Greek and Roman worlds and even learn to make your own origami lion. |
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