Come and join us for a afternoon of making, mending and chat as we explore how we can meet our environment with head, heart and hands.

This crafternoon for the ESRC Festival of Social Science is all about the intersection of craft and sustainability. It's for anyone who makes, mends or cares about the environment (so yes, gardeners might like this too!). Bring your latest project and join us on Zoom as we use crafting to think through – and ultimately remake – our relationship with the natural world.

What will happen and how to join

Book your free ticket here and we'll send you a Zoom link for the event nearer the time. During the Crafternoon there will be a few things going on:

1. We'll have interviews and reflections with a range of speakers who explore the connections between craft and sustainability in their life and work, and some short extracts from inspiring books, films and music on this topic too. For this first event (yes, I'm prepared to do it again if it's popular!) local craftswoman Hannah Ehlert will be showing us how making baskets has helped her develop a better understanding of the importance of connection and relationship with the plants and landscapes that surround us. We'll also be hearing from Lancaster University's Nigel Clark and Bron Szerszynski about their new book 'Planetary Social Thought' which grapples with many of the same questions. Finally, the team from the fabulous Sewing Cafe Lancaster will be joining us to talk about their new natural dyes project and all the wonderful experiments they have been doing along the way!

2. The other - just as important part - of the Crafternoon will be you and what you bring! I'm hoping that as many people as possible will join us and bring their making projects with them so that your hands will be busy as you listen along. And I'll be trying to make this as interactive as possible, so expect a few 'what are you working on today?' show and tells and plenty of discussion in the chat!

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