The Human Library
(London)
Thursday 20 November | 6–8pm
In a digital age, human custodians and communicators of knowledge are more important than ever.
This event will create a ‘human library’ where, instead of taking down books from shelves, visitors are given an opportunity to engage with academics one-to-one.
The event will feature communicators of knowledge from across the School of Advanced Study, its libraries, and its research networks, offering an opportunity for the public to receive a personal 10- minute lecture on some of the leading research in the humanities. The event also features elements of film and animation that will bring the collections housed in Senate House to life.
Come along to borrow some of the following ‘books’ from our living library of the humanities:
- Dr Richard Espley (Senate House Library) – Oceans of Knowledge
- Dr Alessandro Scafi (Warburg Institute) – Maps of Paradise
- Professor William Fitzgerald (King’s College London) – How to Read a Latin Poem
- Professor Philip Murphy (Institute of Commonwealth Studies) – Writing About the Queen
- Professor Robin Gauld (School of Advanced Study) – Humanising Health Service Design
- Professor Catherine Davies (Institute of Modern Languages Research) – Women Warriors in Latin America (and the Elephant and Castle)
- Judith Townend (Institute of Advanced Legal Studies) – Social media and the law
- Dr Matthew Beaumont (University College London) – Nightwalking in London
- Professor Barry Smith (Institute of Philosophy) – The Philosophy of Taste
Free admission | Booking required
This event is led by: School of Advanced Study
Bee-ing Human
(London)
21 November | 11.30am–4.30pm
On Friday 21st November you can join us at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in Russell Square for an afternoon exploring the relationship between the humanities and bees. As well as talks and discussions from our esteemed academics and experts there will also be the chance to learn how to and make candles, visit the three beehives on the roof of the institute and have a chance to taste some delicious London honey and a glass of mead!
How have bees interacted with human culture throughout the ages? Bee-ing Human explores this question through research in the humanities (art history, classics, literature, film and current research on ecological crises), highlighting our often overlooked dependency on these fascinating creatures.
The day of activities features candle-making, honey tasting, and a guided tour of bee hives on the University of London roof. Experts will be on hand to explain the presence of bees in everything from renaissance art to contemporary cinema.
11.15am: Meet at the IALS café
11.30am: Hive visit one
12pm–1pm: Workshop one (candle making/honey tasting)
1pm–1.45pm: Hive visit two
Break
3.30–4.30pm: Panel discussion: Bees in Culture
- Dr Opi Outhwaite, University of Greenwich: Neither fish, nor fowl? Honeybees in current legal frameworks’
- Camilla Goddard, University of London Beekeeper – Bee film clips
- Dr Sally Payen and Jaime Jackson) Bees and Archives: the Outrider Project
4.30pm: Close
Free admission | Booking required
This event is led by: School of Advanced Study
These are just two of many activities during this week’s Being Human Festival which connects cutting edge research in the humanities to issues shaping our everyday lives. For updates on the latest Being Human news follow us on Twitter @BeingHumanFest, on Facebook, and on Pinterest. Don’t forget to sign up to our e-newsletter too!
