Swansea’s Festival of Social Science

Festival of Social Science 2026

The Festival of Social Science returns to Swansea for its fourth year, bringing research and communities together through a programme of free public events.

This year's theme, Money, Finance and Cost of Living, explores the financial decisions, challenges and experiences that affect us all.

From household budgets and community wellbeing to wider economic and social issues, the festival highlights how social science research can help us better understand the world around us.

Open to everyone, the festival offers opportunities to discover new ideas, share perspectives and engage with research in meaningful and accessible ways.

Join us from 17 October – 7 November 2026 and discover how social science is helping to shape a fairer and more informed future.

Previous festivals

We were pleased to be joined by Bangor and Cardiff Universities to host the ESRC's offering a pan-Wales day of fun, informal and interactive events on wellbeing as part of the 2023 Festival of Social Science.

Swansea University hosted activities and workshops provided by researchers across the three Universities, following themes including mental health, behavioural change, artificial intelligence, dementia, environmental conservation, mental health, climate crisis, gender and identity, and social inequalities.

Read more about these activities.