More brains?

After running our first successful series of Brains at the Bevy (more details below), funded by the Sussex Learning Network, we are planning a second series in 2017 April to November 2017.   So we are looking for academics to pitch in ideas for talks.  We will be collecting ideas until the end of January when the Bevy community will be asked to choose which 6 they would like.  If you would like to suggest a topic that you would like to present, based on your research, please email d.wolff@brighton.ac.uk with the title and a 2-3 plain language description.

‘Brains at the Bevy’ is a partnership  of the Community University Partnership Programme at the University of Brighton and The Bevy,  Britain’s first community owned pub on a housing estate. The Bevy is so much more than just a pub and already hosts a range of community groups and health services including for seniors and those with disabilities.  The Brains talks are intended to be informal, yet research based, that both engage and inform.  This project seeks to develop a low cost model that connects with research at universities, which can be sustained because it supports research impact and community engagement.

6 talks were held between April and November 2016

–  ‘No to Modern Football’, Mark Doidge, an analysis of the global transformation of football
–  NHS privatisation and local democracy, Carl Walker
–    ‘The Joy of Sex’, Angie Hart  exploring  what we teach our children about positive sexual expression
– ‘Britfix or Britbroken’, Phil Haynes, an examination of the recent referendum.
– Organ donation, Bobbie Farsides,  an exploration of how to address the shortage
–  Reading retail, Harvey Ells, a whirlwind tour of changes in retail practice.

Attendance averaged 20 people per session with a good mix of local residents, university students, and university staff. Talks were free, started at 6pm and lasted for an hour, with ample time for questions and discussions. Tea and coffee were provided with drinks on sale.  It is openly acknowledged at the start that there are many brains in the room, bringing different kinds of knowledge and perspectives, and the value of sharing these.  There is a commitment to using language that is respectful, jargon free and accessible.

Participants were asked to complete a short evaluation form with likes and dislikes of the session and we received 68 completed forms.  Overall the response was overwhelmingly positive with people particularly liking the model, accessing good quality research, the level of informality and interaction and especially the venue.  Responses included:

Informal, comfortably intimate. Accessible venue. Speaker presented some material to get our discussion going, without overbearance – just right. After the discussion people were able to linger, eat drink and continue the discussion or not. Great model.

Absolutely great. Communities need more events like this to connect people together. Well presented, well publicised. Glad I made it.

Speaker was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. She pitched the whole talk perfectly. A thoroughly wonderful evening. More of the same please

Great talk, inspired venue – should certainly be supporting in the future

Brains at the Bevy has been shortlisted for a national award by the University Association for Lifelong Learning.