Oxford Brookes University puts communities at heart of humanities festival
- Published
University chancellor Paterson Joseph kicks off the festival with performances of Sancho & Me
A university's free festival celebrating its humanities department will be "the most impressive" one to date, its organiser has said.
Oxford Brookes University's Think Human will explore race, migration, disability, music and remarkable women.
It will feature talks, exhibitions and performances in venues across Oxford in April.
Festival director Gary Browning said he was "absolutely certain that universities shouldn't be in a bubble".
Festival director Gary Browning said academics should get out and about talking about big issues
Think Human, which is in its forth year, officially starts with a stage performance Sancho & Me by the university's chancellor Paterson Joseph at The Old Fire Station.
Other highlights on the programme are a panel discussion on UK's immigration policy at Oxford Town Hall, live music at the university's Headington Campus, and a ghostly encounters interactive event.
Project manager Laura Baldock said the festival was "open to everyone" to get involved in "entertaining discussions, performances and activities that have a real impact".
The Changing Hearts and Minds with Music event will feature musicians such as folk artist Martin Carthy
Mr Browning, who is also Professor of Political Thought, said this year's edition was "the most impressive" one to date.
"We are very keen to deliver a festival that celebrates the Humanities and Social Sciences and their importance to the wider world," he said.
"We want to share the lively engaging work that is being done by colleagues. We want to be upbeat and deliver a very strong message about Oxford Brookes researchers.
"We've got to mix with communities not only for communities' sake but for universities' sake."
The full 2024 Festival Programme is set out on the Think Human page, external.
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- Published2 October 2023
