University of Salford’s Festival of Research: Ruby Wax OBE, ‘flipping failure’, therapeutic gardening and celebrating mums in lockdown

@SalfordUni – Taking place from Wednesday 30 June to Friday 9 July, there’s something for everyone at the University of Salford’s Festival of Research - from inspirational talks from comedy legend, bestselling author and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax OBE, to ‘flipping failure’, celebrating mums in lockdown and the power of social prescribing, therapeutic gardening and nature-based interventions.  

If the events of 2020 and 2021 have taught us anything, it is that science is never more important to our lives, but trust in science needs a public able to engage with it and the researchers that produce it. The Festival of Research does this and so much more.  

 
Join us online and on-demand for the Festival of Research – an exciting virtual series of free events, innovative talks and interactive workshops which aim to bring together the University of Salford community, industry partners and members of the public to discuss and develop the future research strategy.  

Flagship events taking place during 30 June – 9 July are open to the public and free to attend.

FESTIVAL OF RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 

Wednesday 30 June and Thursday 1 July, 9.30am-4.30pm  

Day 1 kicks off with Dr Michelle Howarth, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health & Society at the University of Salford, who will be explaining the power of social prescribing, therapeutic gardening and nature-based interventions. Find out more and book your place here. We are also delighted to welcome comedy legend, bestselling author and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax OBE on Thursday 1 July. Find out more about the event and book your place here. 
 

Failure Friday – A festival of flipping failure  
Friday 2 July, 10.00am-3.00pm  

We often think of failure as being a negative experience and something to be avoided, ashamed of and a barrier to achieving success. Failure Friday challenges that misconception and explores the positives and necessities of failure that help us to build resilience, insight and inspire action. We openly invite you to join us for Failure Friday as we examine failure in a range of environments with captivating stories of failure to help navigate everyday life. Find out more information and book your place here. 
 

Lessons in In(visible) Researchers   
Tuesday 6 July, 11.00am-12 noon  

Sandy Sparks from Midlands Innovation (a consortium of eight universities in collaboration with key stakeholders and industry partners). It is the largest investment in technicians in higher education, whose specialist skills often go unrecognised despite the crucial role they play in the success of universities and growth in the UK economy.  This event is part of our Café Research. Find out more information and book your place here.   
 

Celebrating Working Mums in Lockdown  
Thursday 8 July, 10.00am-3.30pm, Friday 9 July, 10.00am- 3.30pm and 7.30pm -8.30pm  

This free two-day online event hosted by Social Policy Lecturers Dr Joy Probyn & Eileen Cunningham at the University of Salford, showcases their cutting-edge research on the experiences of working mums, and the impact of working practices during the pandemic on employees’ mental health (Dr Daiga Kamarade). In addition, you are invited to attend an empowering workshop for women by careers coach Kathleen Houston and a number of wellbeing sessions including transformational breathwork, yoga and lifestyle coaching. The event is supported by the University of Salford Women’s Voice Network. Find out more information and book your place here.