Welcome to the Festival of Social Science

What was the event about and who was it for?

This debate was for anyone who has ever wondered how experts help to inform decision makers. Who are the people helping to inform our government? What role do the experts really play? And how do we know they are right?

David Dimbleby; Honorary Graduate of the University of Essex, renowned British journalist and current affairs television presenter, known for shows such as Question Time, hosted this public online debate with leading academics from the Faculty of Social Sciences.

This lively online discussion was accompanied by a short film which investigates how academic expertise helps to tackle the very real challenges we face in society today. How can an expert help to solve the difficulties of Brexit, or the unrest of current American politics? How can an economist help to address domestic violence or a global pandemic? What can a sociologist do to improve policing techniques? Where would society be without the contributions of experts?

What was the short film about and who made it? 

A short film was created by the Faculty of Social Sciences, designed to explore how social science research helps to inform opinion and fuels change across society every day. View the trailer of the film above or watch the full version on the Faculty of Social Sciences webpage.