Joining forces with the Wigtown Book Festival and A Year of Conversation a team of inquisitive academics from the University of Glasgow’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies (UoG SoIS) present you with a new one-day festival that celebrates the joy of being curious.
Taking place in the Print Room and other venues in Wigtown on Saturday 8 June A Day of Curiosity 2019 is one of a series of events taking place across Dumfries and Galloway to mark 20 years since the University of Glasgow first opened its doors to students on the Crichton campus in Dumfries – www.gla.ac.uk/events/dumfries/
This inaugural event will enable audiences to engage in conversation with leading academics in their fields. More than 20 speakers will be offering snapshots of their research in a series of 15 minute “micro-talks”.
Subjects range from the secrets inside your mobile phone and how to read a beach, to how learning languages changes the brain, why the fight for water may cause the next world war and what it was like to be a cow in early modern Britain.
Audiences will be encouraged to express their own curiosity by asking questions and making links between the various subjects. There will also be a special session offering children the chance to ask Curious Questions.
According to Professor Carol Hill, Director of Campus and Head of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies which is based on the campus the “Day of Curiosity is all about conversation, engagement and making what we do accessible to everyone. “We are passionate about our work and want to share our curiosity with you. We have some truly fascinating talks, presentations and panel discussions lined up and hope to show what curiosity can lead to.”
Creative Director of A Year of Conversation, the poet Tom Pow said: “Curiosity is what I think is necessary for any meaningful conversation. It’s also curiosity, at every age, that motivates us to discover and to learn. So, join us for an exciting and a satisfying day.”
Adrian Turpin is the Artistic Director of the Wigtown Book Festival which is kindly hosting A Day of Curiosity. Adrian said: “Curiosity and asking questions are central to what make us human. And there is no better to be curious about the world than in Scotland’s national book town. We’re delighted to be working so closely with the University of Glasgow and hope that Day of Curiosity will become a regular feature of Wigtown’s year-round programme of events.”
Just £20 will let you join in with any and all conversations and we offer a generous discount if you bring an inquisitive friend. The event is free to everyone under 26. Tickets for this curious event go on sale from Monday 13 May at www.wigtownbookfestival.com or by phone on 01988 403 222 between 9.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
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