Being Human Lab

At our first-ever Being Human Lab, we want to bring together researchers in the humanities, makers, artists and anyone with an opinion, to explore the pressing issues facing humanity (and how the humanities can help). Our Lab will be an interactive space where participants can come together to respond to the question: ‘What new issues must humanity face in the near future, and how can the humanities help?’

From human rights to the digital revolution, the event will start with lightning talks by leading thinkers in the humanities which will respond to the day’s guiding question with a provocation. Then, it’s over to you. Participants in the lab will chat, play and think with their hands to work through the issues raised, creating physical and creative responses to the question using Lego, or exploring the threads of the problem using tapestry and collage.

Speakers include:

Professor Barry C Smith – Director of the Institute of Philosophy, School of Advanced Study, University of London.

Professor Geoffrey Crossick – Director of the AHRC’s ‘Cultural Value Project’

Professor Jo Wolff – University College London

Dr Preti Taneja (Global Shakespeare Research Fellow, University of Warwick)

Workshop One – Bringing ideas to life with LEGO, Cori Moore

We all loved tinkering when were kids… we didn’t stop to think how beautiful or accurate our creations were, but accepted them as representations of our worlds. What happened? In this workshop we invite you to let go of your inhibitions… adopting a playful mind set through hands-on collaboration. We’re inviting participants to flex their haptic muscles; build metaphors, & conjure meaning through tactile story making. While participants play together they will develop deep shared understanding and have a lot of fun in the process.

Workshop Two – Tapestries of the mind, Sarah Gillett

As the world around us changes, what memories do we want to hold onto from our real and digital experiences? What are the threads that bind us together as humans? Starting with a set of old needlepoint tapestries hand sewn by anonymous makers, together we will be cutting, collaging and stitching new ‘tapestries of the mind’ that respond to ideas raised during the Being Human Lab as well as to the personal memories and stories of the participants.

As our Festival events are free, not everyone who asks for tickets comes to our events. To make sure we have a full house we allocate more tickets than there are seats. We do our best to get the numbers right, but unfortunately we occasionally have to disappoint people. Admission is on a first come, first served basis, so please arrive in good time for the start of the event.