Being Human in Conversation: Renewing and Rebuilding

As we begin to think about renewing and rebuilding in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, how can the humanities help?

COVID-19 has highlighted afresh the divides existing in our societies. It has thrown a spotlight on class, race and wealth inequalities and underlined divisions between old and young, climate change campaigners and deniers, and even the nations of the UK. Against this backdrop, there has never been a more important time for researchers of all types to enter the public debate, to make their voices heard, to speak up and speak out. It is a time for big ideas. How do we start to rethink our world? How might we refresh and renew our understanding of what it means to be human? How might we, ultimately, be better humans?

This event is an opportunity to listen to the new wave of academics who will approach these issues from a humanities perspective. Being Human festival Director and public intellectual Professor Sarah Churchwell will be in conversation with four AHRC New Generation Thinkers, the next generation of researchers bringing their work to a wide audience. They will discuss their research into contemporary issues and how they are communicating and working with the public so that it has real-world impact in our challenging times.

The COVID-19 pandemic will leave a lasting mark on the world, yet as we begin to think about the future, this event will ask what role the humanities can play in our new world.