The ever popular Difference Festival attracted a lot of new faces in February of 2021, despite Covid-19 requiring this event to be moved online. As the premier public engagement event of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Westminster’s, the move online this year didn’t impact on attendees with the number of attendees almost double in comparison with 2020. Based on feedback received, guests hugely enjoyed the festival and are already looking forward to the next year’s festival.
Event Coordinator Dr Bradley Elliott, Senior Lecturer in Physiology said “The Difference Festival is a week-long celebration showcasing the work of staff, students, alumni and friends of the University of Westminster, whilst honouring the history and roots of our institution. Indeed, from demonstrations of cutting-edge technology to Victorian London, the UK’s first cinema, lunchtime theatre, and education for all, the University of Westminster has always had this ethos of openness.” Whilst traditionally the College opens its doors and welcomes friends and neighbours onto the Regent St campus for this Festival, this year Covid-19 required all festival events to be held online. Dr Elliott noted “This allowed more people than ever to join us, and in future we plan to run a combination of in person and online outreach events.”
During the course of the week, the Difference Festival 2021 highlighted research by colleagues in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and their work on prejudice and discrimination, underpinning the University of Westminster’s clear support for Black Lives Matter and stance against racism in all its forms. Members of the public were encouraged to engage with the free events, including interactive workshops on diverse topics such as making public spaces more welcoming for all, or encouraging political engagement amongst activist groups, discussions about how we can work together to stop superbugs, and two different yet equally powerful online photo exhibitions.
A highlight of the week was the final day, where fascinating speakers from the world of academia, including award-winning author, broadcaster and academic Gary Younge, recently appointed Professor of Sociology at Manchester University, discussed race and the UK, followed by an interactive demonstration of cognitive bias by Coral Dando and Jay Mackenzie of our School of Social Sciences. Finally, an online live performance of Sus, a powerful play about race and stop and search. The play was first performed at the Soho Poly, now part of the University campus, in 1979, and the online performance was followed by a discussion between current and original cast members.
We have a surprise in store for those of you who didn’t have the chance to attend this year’s Difference Festival-2021 so watch this space, and we really look forward to seeing you at the Difference Festival-2022. Don’t forget to keep in touch by following us on Twitter, or read more about the Difference Festival or Different Conversations online, where we share all the most exciting news and updates!
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