Subject taster workshops

This engaging session will introduce students to the fundamental principles of business ethics, examining how companies navigate decisions that impact society, the environment, and key stakeholders.

We will explore essential topics such as shareholder vs. stakeholder theory, corporate responsibility, and ethical decision-making.

Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, students will analyse real-world business practices, assess ethical dilemmas, and develop a deeper understanding of responsible decision-making in the business world.

This session provides an in-depth examination of the economic, political, and strategic dimensions of technological leadership, highlighting key drivers such as foreign direct investment (FDI), research and development (R&D), and the rise of techno-nationalism.

Through real-world case studies and interactive discussion, you will explore how these forces shape industries, influence policymaking, and impact international relations. Designed for students considering future pathways in business, technology, or global affairs, this session illuminates the complex factors that underpin a rapidly evolving world.

In today’s social media driven world, celebrities and influencers dominate our feeds — and our decisions. From footballers and Hollywood stars to TikTok creators and YouTubers, these public figures have a huge impact on what we buy and why. But have you ever stopped to think: Why does this strategy work so well? 

In this workshop, you’ll discover the psychology behind influencer and celebrity marketing. You’ll analyse real-life campaigns to spot these strategies in action and understand how brands influence your choices. Then, put your knowledge to the test! In a hands-on group challenge, you’ll create your own marketing campaign, choosing the perfect celebrity or influencer to promote a fictional product.

By the end, you’ll leave with a sharper eye for how marketing shapes behaviour, the skills to think critically about it, and a chance to apply real-world marketing concepts — all while having fun and working creatively.  

We all experience childhood, but have you ever considered how complex it really is? Are children’s lives the same everywhere, or do culture, society, and policy shape their experiences in different ways? Can a single approach ensure a decent childhood for all?

In this interactive session, we’ll explore how childhood is shaped by social, political, and cultural factors. Through discussion, real-world case studies, and collaborative activities, you’ll examine key factors that shape childhood, challenge common assumptions, and analyse the role of policies—especially the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 1989.

Get ready to rethink childhood, question traditional perspectives, and explore how policies and society influence children's lives worldwide!

Imagine a world where cities are powered by renewable energy, surrounded by lush green spaces, and designed to combat climate change. In this interactive workshop, you’ll explore the exciting field of sustainable urban design and learn how innovative ideas are shaping the cities of tomorrow. 

Through engaging discussions, real-world case studies, and hands-on activities, you’ll tackle questions like: How can we reduce pollution in cities? What role do technology and architecture play in sustainability? You’ll also have the chance to design your own vision of a sustainable city, applying creativity and problem-solving skills. 

This session is perfect for anyone interested in geography, environmental science, engineering, or simply making a positive impact on the future. No prior knowledge required—just bring your imagination! 

There’s 42 minerals in your pocket right now, but how do they get there and where do they come from? How do the gems you usually see in jewellery or polished up in rock shops end up inside the wires and batteries of your phone?  

This session explores the green transition and it’s need for critical minerals, by getting hands on and seeing where they come from. Learn how to use some essential geological equipment/techniques, identify different mineral types and handle some real specimens!  

Learn about the role of Geology in society, why it’s so important and how it plays a key role in changing the world for the better, in an interactive and hands on way. 

Have you ever come across a piece of art in a public space and found yourself wondering, “What does this mean? Why is it here?”.  Through this session you will explore the social life of art in public spaces. What is art’s role in the urban realm? How can it affect how we feel or act? Together, we'll discuss themes of identity, power, and the ways in which art can transform the places we pass through, making us rethink our relationship to them.

In this engaging workshop, you’ll also collaborate with your classmates to design a piece of artwork that addresses a pressing need within your own community. You’ll leave with an understanding of who controls our public spaces and how artistic interventions can challenge narratives to leave people feeling more represented and welcome in our streets and squares.

This interactive session will give students an overview of the presence and impact of microplastics in the environment. The aim of this workshop is to develop students' understanding of microplastics, gaining a detailed introduction to microplastic pollution - an issue that has prompted recent headlines due to the scale of the problem. Key themes covered in this session include sources of microplastics, how they are transferred through the environment and their impacts in the environment on living organisms. Students will then apply the knowledge they have gained throughout the session by creating new government strategies to combat microplastic pollution in the environment.  

Discover how war reshapes our world through the lens of Human Geography. In this interactive session, we’ll explore the realities of forced migration, focusing on Syrian refugees as a case study. You’ll delve into the challenges that drive people to leave their homes and the struggles they face in new communities, but also uncover stories of resilience and success. 

Through engaging activities, you’ll trace the journey of a refugee family on a map, reflecting on the challenges faced at each stage, and participate in a decision-making simulation that mirrors the difficult choices refugees confront. By the end of this session, you’ll not only gain a deeper understanding of refugee mobilities but also think about meaningful ways to support refugees in your own community. 

Perfect for anyone curious about the human side of geography and how global conflicts shape individual lives and societies. 

This workshop is designed to support students to develop an awareness of the broader topics of sustainability and give them knowledge of the key issues in the textile industry. Students will be asked to consider the fashion and textile industry as it currently stands and sustainable fashion; where our clothes come from and where our clothes go. Students will be asked to critically evaluate the sustainability plans of major fashion retailers and design their own environmentally conscious business model for a company in the fashion industry.   

This session will allow students to explore the compulsory topics and modules that they will cover if they study a Law LLB at university. From contract law to human rights law, participants will develop their understanding of the undergraduate course structure and begin to refine transferable skills and study strategies that will help them to succeed on the course.

We all use money every day—but do we really understand what it is? In this session, we’ll challenge the common perceptions of money and introduce you to different theories that question its very nature. Why does money have value? Is it a simple tool for trade, or something much more complex?

Through exploring neo-chartalism, commodity theory, and other economic theories, we’ll uncover the different ways scholars and policymakers understand money. By the end of this session, you'll see money not just as coins or notes, but as a powerful concept that drives economies, politics, and global systems.

Get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about money!

Why are some countries wealthier and more developed than others? Is economic growth the key to success, or do other factors shape a nation’s future? In this interactive session, you’ll step into the role of a policymaker, exploring real-world case studies to uncover the challenges and opportunities in global inequalities and development.

Through debate, discussion, and problem-solving, you’ll discover how education, politics, and resources influence a country’s progress.

If you're curious about the world and want to explore BIG questions about inequality, power, and change—this session is for you!

This session is an introduction to disability studies, aiming to challenge students with a new area of sociology and give them a taster of some of the topics that might be covered at university-level. Students will explore the medical and social models of disability and will be encouraged to think about the barriers that disabled people face as they storyboard their journeys to school. They will also begin to develop university-level skills including reading and interpretation as they develop a glossary of key terms and engage with academic literature!

This session will introduce students to sociology by focusing on an area that most students are already engaged – social media. The class will be split in half, with one side focusing on the pros of social media, and the other looking at the cons. Students will explore their side of the argument in detail, before teaching it to their peers on the other side of the argument and engaging in a mini debate. They will then work in groups to design their own social media profile which will either represent an example of a positive or a toxic social media influencer. The session aims to encourage students to think critically about the role of social media in our lives, and to start thinking about the type of content that they engage with and the impact it has on social media users.

Step into the fascinating world of crime and deviance in this interactive workshop! This session will delve into the mystery of why people break the rules as we unravel key sociological theories of crime. From classic thinkers to modern debates, you'll explore the "whys" behind deviant behaviour and the social factors that shape it. 

Get hands-on as we analyse real-life case studies— can you solve the whodunnit and present your findings? Then we focus our attention to popular culture: How do movies, TV shows, and social media influence our ideas about lawbreakers and justice? 

By the end of this session, you’ll gain fresh insights into human behaviour and society, sharpen your critical thinking skills, and discover how studying sociology can open the door to exciting careers in law, social research, criminology, or even media. Ready to see the world through a sociologist’s lens? Let’s investigate! 

Discover how music, culture, and technology intersect in this interactive workshop exploring how personal experiences connect to wider social forces.

Dive into key sociological concepts, including C. Wright Mills’ “sociological imagination,” to analyse music consumption habits, stereotypes, and identity formation. Engage with contrasting theories, such as Adorno’s critique of the “Culture Industry” and Hall’s “Encoding/Decoding,” to debate how platforms like Spotify and YouTube influence cultural production and audience behaviour.

Through interactive polling, group discussions, and case studies, you’ll explore critical issues like user-generated content, big data profiling, and the power dynamics in digital media.

Ideal for students with varied academic interests, this workshop fosters critical thinking and analytical skills, offering valuable insights into how digital media shapes modern culture. Whether you're into Sociology, Media, or just love music, this session is for you!