The University of Cambridge has been holding a festival for ideas since 2008. The annual event allows researchers in the humanities to share their expertise with members of the public. Artists, technology experts and historians can use poster printing within Cambridge to engage with their audiences.
Festival organiser, Malavika Anderson explained her thinking to the Cambridge News:
“A core aim of the festival is to share with the public, in a two-way process, some of the incredible research and thinking that is happening in Cambridge and beyond across disciplines and institutions.”
Anderson made clear that audience participation is welcomed by those active in the festival. She specifically mentioned that attendees would have a chance to ask questions. The different events will be spread over a period of more than a week in late October.
A wide variety of themes will be addressed by the experts. There will be a focus on the politics of migration, including a look at some of the humanitarian questions raised by the mass movement of refugees. In addition, what will flow from the UK referendum on its membership of the European Union will be discussed. Dr Lucy Delap, a specialist in history, will outline the impact of public dissatisfaction on global politics.