Horror movie prosthetics to Latin American music: Being Human programme preview announced

With support from the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy, the School of Advanced Study have awarded 23 funding grants to universities and researchers to engage, inspire and collaborate with communities across the UK.  

With the 2025 theme Between the Lines, researchers are invited to explore boundaries, crossings, and intersections, as well as the hidden spaces in between.

The hubs chosen for this year’s festival are the Universities of Bristol, Hertfordshire, Cardiff & Swansea, Surrey and De Montfort. Events and activities will include making horror film prosthetics in Hertfordshire, exploring political satire in South Wales, and sensory beer-tasting in Bristol.

Alongside Festival Hubs, there will be a wide range of exciting events, workshops and exhibitions from festival organisers showcasing the latest humanities research.

Professor Sarah Churchwell, Chair of Public Humanities and Director of Being Human Festival, said:

"Every year Being Human finds new ways to engage with the public, and this year promises to be one of our best programmes yet. Whether you enjoy cooking, poetry, creating comic strips or historical walking tours, you’re sure to find something fun to do – and all of our events are free!”

Each November, Being Human Festival presents hundreds of free events across the UK and beyond. Festival events celebrate and demonstrate the ways in which the humanities inspire and enrich our everyday lives, help us to understand ourselves, our relationships with others, and the challenges we face in a changing world. 

Each year the festival invites researchers at universities and other research organisations to collaborate with local community and cultural partners to create exciting and engaging events for all to enjoy. Being Human is a national festival by virtue of being local. 

Being Human Festival 2025 takes place from 6-15 November. The full festival programme will be revealed in September. For more information visit the Being Human website and sign up to the mailing list to stay in the loop with all the latest news.