What makes a conversation memorable? The Sociology Department at Lancaster University is delighted to launch a free public webinar series that explores the potential and power of discussion. The ‘In conversation’ webinar series will explore how memorable conversations might emerge from putting together different kinds of voices – such as staff, students and teachers from different disciplines and backgrounds. Registration is free and we hope that the variety of themes will engage diverse groups in interesting conversations of their own.

Learning from the archives: where history and sociology meet - Thurs 11th February 2021, 5-6pm, Register Here

Archival research is an important method for both historians and sociologists, but what and how does it actually work? When archives preserve materials from the past, how can we use them to learn new things? Speakers from the Sociology and History Departments will discuss their experience of learning from archives, touching upon themes such as digital archives, colonialism, public inquiries, and social inequalities.

Social work, social solidarity – Thurs 18th March 2021, 5-6pm, Register Here

For World Social Work Day this year, the theme is ‘Ubuntu - I am because we are’. In this webinar, Dr. Cath Hill and Prof. Karen Broadhurst will discuss how they understand the importance of social solidarity, and its connections to the empathy, justice and support at the heart of social work practice and research. They will touch upon their work on embedding peer support through the Manchester Survivor’s Choir (Dr. Hill) as well as informing and incubating justice through the Child and Family Justice Research Centre (Prof. Broadhurst). An open Q&A will also leave opportunities for your questions about the nature of social work and social solidarity nearly a year into the UK covid-19 pandemic.

The future of film and journalism– Thurs 15th April 2021, 5-6pm, Register Here

With the closure of cinemas and cultural venues, growth of streaming audio/video platforms, controversial advice that cultural workers should retrain and contested practices of journalism and social media platforms, the covid-19 pandemic has been an interesting time within the cultural industries. In this conversation, Dr. Robert Gutsche Jr. and Dr. Maryam Ghorbankarimi share their perspectives on how, in the context of these challenges and changes, we might think about and shape the future of film and journalism. They will draw upon their experience teaching critical media and film practice, as well as their experience as practitioner/researchers – developing a podcast to engage with professional journalists (Dr. Gutsche) and directing and editing short films (Dr. Ghorbankarimi).

How do you bring Black Lives Matter into the curriculum? - Thurs 29th April 2021, 5-6pm, Register Here

Recent protests and discussions about racial violence and inequalities have highlighted the need for further education – but how do we bring Black Lives Matter into our curriculums? In this webinar, Prof Imogen Tyler, Dr. Sunita Abraham, Geraldine Onek and Jamie Reynolds will share their experience working with a community group, Lancaster Black History Group, including a project working with Lancaster school students and teachers on Lancaster's historical connections to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. This conversation will highlight the potential to use historical and sociological research to create links across the curriculum, start conversations about contemporary social issues and engage students in seeing the places in which they live differently.

More information about the schools project can be found at Lancaster Slavery Family Trees

More information about Lancaster Black History Group can be found at Black History Lancaster

Making the leap: Preparing for the transition to university - Thurs 27^th May, 5-6pm, Register here

The transition from school to university is always a challenging one, but during the Covid-19 pandemic it can seem more overwhelming than ever. Without the usual milestones like exams it can be hard for students to know what to expect in their final year, or how to make sure they are ready for the big move from school to higher education. In this conversation, teachers (including Ben Hewitson, Head of Sociology at Kesgrave High School and host of the All Sociology: take 1 Podcast), lecturers and current university students will discuss common concerns that students might have as they prepare for their first year at university and reflect on their own experiences of this transition. It will address questions such as: How does subject knowledge fit into these transitions? How do discussions in the media help or hinder transitions? What can students expect from their first year studying at university, and what do they need to do to be well prepared despite an unsettled finish to their secondary education?

Keep checking back for information about future events throughout the spring.

This webinar series is produced by the Sociology Department at Lancaster University, which is home to degrees in Sociology, Media and Cultural Studies and Social Work, in association with other colleagues at Lancaster University.