A new series of public lectures will bring leading academic experts to Worcester, offering fresh perspectives on some of the most fascinating questions in their fields.
Launching in February, The Engine Room series, hosted by the University of Worcester, will invite people to explore new ways of thinking.
The first lecture, on February 25, is called “Keeping Hold: A Cultural and Social History of Possession in Eighteenth-Century Britain”, and will be delivered by Dr Kate Smith, a specialist in 18th and 19th-century British History whose book on the topic has just been released.
Dr Smith will examine the moment in history when people began to own more possessions than ever before, exploring themes of loss, reclamation, and what personal belongings reveal about wider social issues.
“It’s about the importance of ownership in our everyday lives, and in the lives of people in the past,” explained Dr Smith. “I’ll be exploring how we own our possessions, and the role they play in our lives, not only in terms of having something, but being able to keep hold of it over time.”
She added: “It’s primarily aimed at people who have an interest in everyday life now and in the past, and how our relationship with our possessions has shifted over the years.”
The Engine Room series of public lectures are being organised by the University of Worcester to bring experts at the forefront of their fields to the public.
Dr Lucy Arnold, Course Leader for English Literature and organiser of the series, said: “These lectures are about taking important academic discussions beyond the university and making them accessible to people who are genuinely passionate about these subjects. Attendees will gain new perspectives and be invited to think differently about familiar questions.”
Dr Arnold said: “In addition to students of history from A-level to postgraduate, this lecture will appeal to anyone with a keen interest in material history, whether in the objects we hold in our homes or those preserved in museums and galleries. Dr Smith’s work explores the stories behind these possessions and what it means to hold on to them.”
The lectures will take place at The Hive, a shared space that symbolises the connection between the University and the city and will be delivered by University of Worcester experts and external guests who are at the forefront of their expertise.
“The Hive represents learning for everyone,” Dr Arnold added. “It’s the perfect venue for this kind of knowledge exchange.”
Dr Smith’s lecture takes place at 16.30 on 25 February, to book your free space, please visit The Hive’s Website
Anyone wishing to find out more about Dr Smith’s book, Keeping Hold: A Cultural and Social History of Possession in Eighteenth-Century Britain, can do so by visiting the Cambridge University Press website.
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email [email protected]