Being Human Festival 2023
The University of Leeds is participating in the Being Human Festival, an annual celebration that showcases the humanities' influence on our lives and societal understanding.
This diverse line-up of events aims to engage various audiences through interactive experiences and workshops, collaborating with local partners and researchers.
Creative Producer Jo Nockels, of the University’s Cultural Institute explained the value of the Festival for the institution: “Being Human Festival is an excellent opportunity to directly and actively involve people in Leeds in some of the dynamic and fascinating humanities research here at the University. This series of performances and workshops on themes ranging from movement-generated sound dance and artificial intelligence brings a wide range of researchers together with arts organisations for a mixed range of audiences.”
The following events run through November:
Kara: Making an Artificial Friend – 9 and 10 November, Interplay Theatre, Leeds
An interactive theatre performance at Interplay Theatre, led by Professor Stuart Murray. Explores creating a non-human friend, targeting young disabled individuals to broaden perspectives on friendship and technology.
Professor Murray said, “Being Human provides an important opportunity to share insights from research with the public, allowing them to benefit directly from the critical thinking and creative practice being developed by scholars.”
Book a free ticket for Kara: Making an Artificial Friend
Full of Life – 9 November, Interplay Theatre, Leeds
An event involving sound and movement technology for theatrical storytelling. Utilizes autobiographical materials and ensemble devising for in-the-moment experiences. Venue and accessibility details to be confirmed.
Book a free ticket for Full of Life
Connect: Masculinity and Mental Health – Weds 15th November, 1 to 3pm (Closed event)
A workshop in collaboration with Feel Good Factor's men's group, led by Dr Matthew Elliott. Focuses on masculinity, mental health, and cultural norms, sharing practices developed in East Africa, with discussions on UK male mental health approaches. Dr Elliot explains: “As an academic at the University of Leeds, I am excited be a part of the festival as I believe it democratises research and debunks ideas that knowledge is only for the University campus. My work specialises in lived experience and community led research, so working on an event that furthers this and looks at how knowledge can come from diverse spaces is a great opportunity.”
Unease: Movement, Gender and Bharatanatyam 17 November, 1 to 4pm, Yorkshire Dance, Leeds
A collaborative workshop led by dancer Tirna Sengupta and theatre director Dr Alison Andrews. Explores and challenges gender norms in Indian classical dance, providing an interactive experience to assess gender relationships. Held at Yorkshire Dance, open to the general public.
Book a free ticket for Unease: Movement, Gender and Bharatanatyam
Movement as Activist Practice – 17 November, 9am-12pm, Yorkshire Dance, Leeds
A movement workshop by Dr Campbell Edinborough, exploring movement as a political and activist tool. Targets Yoga, Pilates, and Feldenkrais instructors, dancers, and physical education practitioners. Participants delve into socially engaged movement practices at Yorkshire Dance.