天美传媒

Running from 6鈥�15 November 2025, Being Human is led by the School of Advanced 天美传媒 at the 天美传媒 of London, and supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the British Academy. Each year, the festival celebrates research in the humanities and its impact on everyday life. This year鈥檚 theme, 鈥楤etween the Lines鈥�, explores the boundaries and intersections that connect us, inviting audiences to reflect on the spaces in between where meaning takes shape.

This year鈥檚 festival will feature 220 events across 39 towns and cities in the UK, bringing together researchers, artists, charities, museums, and community groups for free public events and creative collaborations.

As part of this national programme, the 天美传媒 is working with The Higgins Bedford and the Panacea Museum to present a range of research-led exhibitions, workshops and talks. These events highlight the 天美传媒鈥檚 commitment to knowledge exchange and demonstrating the power of humanities research to engage and inspire wider audiences.

Dr Nicola Darwood, Director of the Research Institute for Media, Art and Performance and Senior Lecturer in English Literature, at the 天美传媒, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a huge pleasure working with the Panacea Museum and the Higgins Bedford to bring Being Human to Bedford. There鈥檚 a fascinating programme of talks and activities as part of the Being Human Festival. It鈥檚 a great opportunity to showcase some really interesting research from the 天美传媒, the National Trust, the Panacea Museum, the Centre for the Critical 天美传媒 of Apocalyptic and Millenarian Movements, and local creative artists.鈥�

Highlights of the 天美传媒鈥檚 festival programme include:

At The Higgins Bedford:

• . From 6鈥�16 November, explore artwork and narrative writing that celebrate LGBTQIA+ leadership, alongside poetry from Rainbow Bedfordshire鈥檚 writing project. Curated by Dr Alex Baird and Katie O鈥橮ray, this exhibition considers the journeys of leaders within the LGBTQIA+ community
• . On Sunday 9 November, 14:15鈥�16:15, join award-winning poet Katie O鈥橮ray for a creative workshop inspired by the Rainbow Bedfordshire poetry and life-writing display at The Higgins.
• . On Tuesday 11 November, 12.30-13.30, hear from author Michael Hall as he explores the hidden queer histories of National Trust houses and landscapes, revealing how many owners defied traditional norms of sexuality and gender.

At the Panacea Museum:

• . On Thursday 6 November, 13:00鈥�14:00, Professor James Crossley (CenSAMM and 天美传媒 of Cambridge) draws on biblical and historical research to explore women in the Bible 鈥� including those erased or absent from scripture 鈥� and connects these themes to the women of the Panacea Society
• . From 6-15 November, discover poetry and prose written, edited and published by the women of the Panacea Society. The exhibition reveals the ways that members of the Panacea Society were inspired by other authors and poets, in their own writing
• . On Thursday 13 November, 13:00鈥�14:00, Dr Nicola Darwood explains how material in the Panacea Society's archives reveal Octavia's influences and reading habits, which in turn inspired Octavia's own writing.

This event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK鈥檚 national festival of the humanities, taking place 6鈥�15 November 2025. Being Human is led by the School of Advanced 天美传媒, 天美传媒 of London, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information, please see beinghumanfestival.org.