Celebrating the Humanities

Being Human Festival 2026

Swansea University is delighted to host Being Human Festival 2026 once again.

As the UK's national festival of the humanities, Being Human brings research and communities together through a programme of free public events that inspire curiosity, conversation and connection.

The 2026 festival theme, Crossroads, explores the moments, places and ideas that shape our lives. A crossroads can be a point of choice, encounter or change where different perspectives meet, and where new possibilities emerge.

Through a diverse programme of activities, the festival will showcase how humanities research helps us better understand people, cultures, histories and societies.

By bringing together researchers, communities, policymakers, charities, educators, families and the wider public, Being Human creates opportunities to share knowledge, exchange ideas and explore some of the questions that matter most to our lives today.

Join us to discover how the humanities can help us make sense of the world around us – and imagine the futures we want to create.

5th-14th November 2026

Being Human Festival

Our Events

Share Your Ancient History! (Closed Schools Event)

Taliesin Arts Centre
In this interactive workshop, A-Level students explore challenging history topics alongside teachers and researchers, then work with a content creator to script and record a short video or social media post for their peers.

Closed Schools Event

13/11/2026

12:00 - 14:00 GMT

Event will be live

Join Live Event Now
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Mummies

Share Your Ancient History!

Volcano Theatre

Why does ancient history still matter today, and how do we share it online? Join researchers alongside a featured content creator for an interactive social media workshop. Learn how to transform stories from the ancient world into engaging social posts—and get ready to share your own ancient history!

Book free tickets here

Podcast

14/11/2026

14:00 - 15:30 GMT

Event will be live

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microphone

Brains! Dancing the Neurodivergent Past (Closed event by invite only)

Discover how movement can bring history to life as children showcase stories of neurodiversity from the past through dance, inspired by Swansea University research into the benefits of movement for neurodivergent learners.

Closed event/invite only - dance premiere with medieval theme

Closed event

01/01/2027

00:00 - 00:00 GMT

Event will be live

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fancy costume box

Inactivism: Disability, Rest and Resistance

GS Artists, 217 High Street, Swansea

Explore disability activism through collage, postcards, pillow making and embroidery, inspired by Swansea University research and David Turner’s Disability: A History of Resistance. Materials provided. Can’t attend? Register online to receive a prepaid envelope for your A4 artwork.

Book free tickets here

Open event

14/11/2026

14:00 - 16:00 GMT

Event will be live

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Image Credit: Miss Hawtin, born without arms. Etching. Wellcome Collection.