Festival of Social Science: Engaging Diverse Communities in Northern Ireland

Since 2013, Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast have worked together on event delivery as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science. This enables them to work with communities underrepresented in engagement with universities, from schoolchildren creating videos, to carers joining a bus tour of hidden peace lines in Belfast, to members of the public attending a ‘death clinic’; or the local community joining Ulster University lecturers in Architecture, English, and Social History to share their knowledge and stories of ghosts and hauntings. The initiative creates a meaningful, accessible peephole into academic research. 

The festival raises the profile of Northern Ireland academic work. The immediate impact is increased engagement and visibility. Longer-term impacts are strengthened public trust, broader participation, and deeper connections between the university and local communities.  

The festival is delivered by Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast. It receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council as part of their Festival of Social Science programme. 
 

The Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast collaboration organises around 15 events per year, three of which are discussed below. 

Firstly, Data Detectives was a Halloween-themed event exploring health data research. Led by the GroundsWell Consortium at Queen’s University and the Administrative Data Research Centre NI, the event was open to children aged 7 to 12 and their families. It was aimed at budding scientists, doctors (or ghouls) with an interest in how we collect, analyse and use data to better understand and improve public health. Exciting Halloween-themed challenges and activities helped the children to better understand the health data landscape and encourage them to gain hands-on experience of collecting and analysing data. Simultaneous events ran in Edinburgh and Liverpool.

Secondly, “Smart Islands, Green Solutions” focused on Rathlin Island, Northern Island’s northernmost point, and only inhabited island. This project was designed as a hands-on, STEM-focused one-day engagement event delivered at Rathlin Island Primary School by staff from Ulster University. The ‘Fun Day’ pupils carried out sustainability research with the ‘Tuesday Club’ (a group of older generation islanders). Participants included ten pupils, two teachers, two classroom assistants, five Tuesday Club members, and two carers.

Through a structured workshop, groups explored real-world challenges faced by island communities. Pupils worked in teams to design and build eco-friendly island solutions. Activities used LEGO kits to make research concepts tangible and accessible. 

The resources used in the event also included STEM equipment, digital tools, staff time, and organisational support from Ulster University’s Impact team, alongside in-kind support from the school and community.

Accessibility and inclusion were central to delivery. Activities were differentiated by age and ability, instructions were visual and verbal, and small-group facilitation ensured all children and adults could actively participate. Hands-on materials supported diverse learning styles, and the familiar school setting provided a comfortable environment. The event has been repeated in the NI Science Festival at Ulster Museum.

Finally, the Working Lives of Women in Northern Ireland, a festival exhibition at Ulster University, achieved strong community engagement and representation. Over the course of its display period it attracted a diverse audience including local residents, community groups, students, researchers, and partner organisations. There was a broad reach across age groups and genders. The reflection wall for visitors generated substantial written responses, demonstrating active engagement rather than passive viewing, especially from women who identified with the themes of paid employment, caregiving, and community contribution.
 

Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast’s involvement in the ESRC Festival of Social Science has strengthened collaboration between the two universities and is now an established annual programme that both universities jointly deliver. 

The Data Detective event inspired children to understand how health data is collected, enabled them to learn how the environments in which they live can affect their health, and empowered them with new data skills to advocate for positive change. 

The Rathlin Island project promoted collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving within the unique context of island life. The intergenerational model encouraged shared learning and strengthened school–community connections. Planning was collaborative, with university staff working closely with teachers to align activities with curriculum goals and ensure appropriate challenge levels.

The Working Lives of Women in Northern Ireland exhibition prompted critical reflection and dialogue. Visitors reported increased awareness of the economic and social value of unpaid labour such as childcare, eldercare, and domestic work. For researchers, the exhibition strengthened public engagement practice by translating academic research into an accessible, emotionally resonant format. 

Challenges included addressing sensitive topics such as inequality and undervaluation without alienating audiences. The team mitigated this by presenting balanced narratives, including diverse lived experiences, and facilitating open, respectful reflection spaces. Accessibility in language and design was also prioritised to engage non-academic audiences effectively.
 

With each successive year, delivery has improved through enhanced planning, stronger partnership working, and a growing social media presence, resulting in increased public engagement and a rise in academic applications to participate. A key element to the festival’s success is embedding it in the institution’s annual calendar rather than treating it as a one-off event. 

Researchers have gained confidence and skills through their involvement and have gone on to organise further public events, including contributions to the Northern Ireland Science Festival and the Being Human Festival, as well as independent community initiatives.

This work has also acted as a catalyst for further funding applications, with academics successfully applying to programmes such as Connected NI and other external funding streams. 

Festival of Social Science – UKRI: UKRI webpage about the ESRC Festival of Social Science festival for the R&I community to find out how the festival works and potentially get involved. 

Festival of Social Science: Website aimed at members of the public and others wanting to find out about and attend festival events.

• ESRC
• Ulster University 
• Queen’s University Belfast 

This case study was written by NCCPE Associate Furaha Asani in collaboration with UKRI.