Monthly Archives: May 2020

Literature, Life and Lockdown: How the Humanities can help the Species Survive

Lockdown means different things to different people, but one thing it has meant to all of us is more time with ourselves. How can the Humanities help us reflect on our grave new world? What lessons can we learn from the past as we look to a future beyond lockdown? What can culture teach us about quarantine?

Drawing on examples from the history of literature, philosophy, and cinema, scholars from the University of Kent’s Division of Arts and Humanities will discuss the value of thought in the age of confinement. If the UK’s government’s advice is to ‘stay alert’, perhaps the Arts can help teach us what this means.

Date: Monday 1 June 2020

Time: 15:00 (Paris time)

Title: Literature, Life and Lockdown: How the Humanities can help the Species Survive

The discussion will be hosted by Professor Jeremy Carrette, Dean for Europe and Professor of Philosophy, Religion and Culture.

Panellists:

Ben Hutchinson, Professor of European Literature and Academic Director, Paris School of Arts and Culture, University of Kent

Dr Frances Guerin, Senior Lecturer in Film and History of Art and Deputy Director of Graduate Studies (Paris programmes), University of Kent

Dr Lauren Ware, Lecturer in Philosophy, School of European Culture and Languages, University of Kent

If you missed the event, you can now listen to the recording here.

You may also want to check out some of our past events:

Whatever Happened to Brexit? Europe after COVID-19 (past event recording, 7 May 2020)

Pandemic and Politics: COVID-19, Global Crisis and the Challenge to Humanity (past event recording, 14 May 2020)

Pandemic and Politics: COVID-19, Global Crisis and the Challenge to Humanity

What has COVID-19 revealed about our political world? Has it changed politics and the world order? Why does a pandemic isolate us and bring us together? And does the world really want change after a vaccine?

Date: Thursday 14th May

Time: 3pm (Brussels/Paris time)

Scholars from the University of Kent’s internationally renown Brussels School of International Studies will discuss the complex political world of COVID-19 responses, the effectiveness of politicians, the hidden politics behind the health management and the potential of new political environments.

Professor Adrian Pabst
Professor of Politics @University of Kent

Dr Amanda Klekowski von Koppenfels
Reader in Migration @University of Kent

Dr Albena Azmanova
Reader in Political and Social Thought @University of Kent

This is the latest in our webinar series on international issues in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previous Talk: (Watch it back below)

Title: Whatever Happened to Brexit? Europe After COVID-19

Just a few months ago, Brexit was the dominant issue on the EU’s agenda – things have changed. Does the pandemic threaten the already tight negotiation schedule between the EU and the UK? How does it change the position of both parties? And how about the credibility of the EU, at times when solidarity seems to be questioned?

Next talk:

‘Literature, Life and Lockdown: How the Humanities can help the Species Survive‘, featuring Professor Ben Hutchinson, Professor of European Literature and Academic Director of Kent’s Paris School of Arts and Culture, Dr Frances Guerin, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director of Graduate Studies of Paris programmes at Kent’s School of Arts, and Dr Lauren Ware Lecturer in Philosophy at Kent’s School of European Culture and Languages (1 June 2020).

Statement of intent regarding Autumn 2020

The University of Kent is looking forward to welcoming new and returning students in the autumn of 2020. We will, as now, be open for business when the autumn term begins on 21 September 2020

However, we recognise that the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to have an impact on how we all live and work. It is likely that we will have to adapt how we deliver our education, and the wider student experience of university life, in response to changes in government requirements.

We realise what an anxious time this is and want to assure you that planning is already underway to prepare the University for the next academic year. If necessary, we will adapt our teaching styles and delivery methods to ensure that the education and experience of students remains of the highest quality possible and occurs in a safe and effective manner – taking into consideration relevant advice and guidelines that are in place at the time. The safety and wellbeing of our students, staff, visitors and surrounding communities will continue to be our highest priority.

We are committed to ensuring that the standards that led to the University being rated as gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework are upheld, whether that teaching is delivered face-to-face, online or in a blended form of the two with appropriate social distancing in place. Our community of teaching, research and professional services staff will ensure that all education continues to be both a stimulating and fulfilling experience for all our students whether they are at Canterbury, Medway, Brussels or Paris.

We know our campuses are an important part of student life and we look forward to welcoming you all on to campus as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, as we transition back to more usual ways of working, we promise you that, as a member of the University, you will be part of a diverse, dynamic and supportive community and receive an education of the highest possible standard.

This is a repurposed version of a blog post and may differ from the original. View the original blog post.

Kent awarded funding to research the social implications of COVID-19

Kent, in partnership with Belong: The Cohesion and Integration Network, has been funded by the Nuffield Foundation to carry out research into how societal cohesion has been affected by the COVID-19 emergency.

Professor Dominic Abrams and Dr Fanny Lalot of Kent’s Centre for the Study of Group Processes will lead the research, alongside Belong to use data that emerges in real time.

The project will build on existing data focussing on societal cohesion during Brexit. Data will be gathered through surveys of representative samples in Kent, Scotland and Wales, and five local authorities, and combined with qualitative data, including insights from community activists. The research will test how cohesion is made better or worse, how and why individuals become involved or disengaged with groups and communities. This evidence will provide insight into how significant medium term pressures are borne within regions, communities and by individuals.

The findings will provide a rich historical record of what is happening to societal cohesion as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, and will support policy to build resilience against future short, medium and long term challenges.

The team have been awarded £234,559 to conduct the intensive research that will take place over the next nine months.

Dominic Abrams, Professor of Social Psychology said: ‘We are delighted to have this opportunity to understand what is happening to people’s sense of connection and belonging, their priorities and feelings during this extraordinary time. We hope that this research will break new scientific ground whilst also contributing valuable evidence for policy.’

Alex Beer, Welfare Programme Head at the Nuffield Foundation said: ‘During the massive social upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen many people and communities organise for the benefit of others, but some disadvantaged groups remain overlooked. This project will inform policy by investigating the impact of the crisis on social cohesion and the factors which shape people’s attitudes and behaviours.’

Jo Broadwood, Chief Executive of Belong: The Cohesion and Integration Network added: ‘We are really pleased to be working with Dominic, his team and the Nuffield Foundation and are excited about the potential for this project to impact on both practice and policy in the future. We think there is much that we can learn from the huge outbreak of kindness and connection in neighbourhoods across the UK and the findings will have relevance for strengthening social bonds, resilience and cohesion as we emerge from the crisis.’