University community events to tackle cost-of-living crisis – and celebrate the power of social science research
The University of Hertfordshire will bring its social science research to life this October half-term through free interactive public events looking at ways to reduce the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
Working with local and national partners, the University hopes to engage local people in activities and discussions focussed on what support is available locally, and what action research says individuals, families and communities can take to save money.
Free drop-in events – including cooking demonstrations, food tastings, co-operative games and football activities – will take place at Westmill Community Centre in Hitchin on 28 October and The Galleria Outlet Shopping Centre in Hatfield on 30 October.
They form part of the 2026 UK-wide Festival of Social Science, which this year explores the theme Money, Finance and the Cost of Living. The festival, run by universities across the UK, is an annual celebration of how social science research helps bring about positive change for individuals, society and the economy.
Hertfordshire’s festival highlights include a free raffle and prize wheel run by Co-op, cooking demonstrations featuring budget-friendly recipes from the past and present, co-operative art workshops for families, an inflatable football speed cage run by Stevenage FC Foundation, the opportunity to ‘ride’ a smoothie bike, and a practical demonstration of how working with neighbours to buy fruit and vegetables together can cut the cost of the weekly shop.
Dr Francesca Gagliardi, Reader in Institutional Economics and co-organiser of the University of Hertfordshire’s Festival of Social Science, described this year’s theme as “very timely”.
“At a time when many people are feeling the squeeze, social science research can help us better understand the pressures facing households and communities, while also exploring practical ways of responding to them.”
University of Hertfordshire Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Vorley, a champion of strengthening the relationship between research, policy and practice, added:
“The Festival of Social Sciences is such an important opportunity to make academic research accessible to the public, and to share what universities have been working on that could bring about real practical, positive changes for individuals and communities.”
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Festival of Social Science, and the University of Hertfordshire is one of 41 universities organising more than 300 free events across the UK. The festival is funded by the UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which supports world-leading research, data and post-graduate training in economic, behavioural, social and data sciences.