Warwick Professors at The Hay Festival 2023

Here at Warwick Institute of Engagement, we were delighted to see two Warwick Professors at the Hay Festival earlier this week. Hay Festival is an independent charity that seeks to inspire, examine and entertain by offering innovative platforms for audiences around the world. They share the latest thinking in art and science at their annual festivals, including in the charity's hometown of Hay on the Wye.

Michael Scott (@profmcscott), Academic Director of Warwick Institute of Engagement, discussed his newly published book, ‘X Marks the Spot: The Story of Archaeology in Eight Extraordinary Discoveries’. After an exciting book launch at Daunt Books last week, Michael headed to Hay Festival to share snippets of his book, which explores the stories behind archaeological exploration and discovery. He investigates the known and unknown people who made world-famous archaeological discoveries and considers how these often become emblems of modern fascination and dilemmas.

Also at Hay this year was WIE’s James Hodkinson (@Dr_James_H), who moderated a panel discussion called ‘Fear of Faith in the Arts'. The panel comprised producers and actors from two Midlands arts organisations, Common Wealth Theatre, and Soul City Arts, both of which have recently run nationally acclaimed, immersive arts programmes dealing with the representation of Muslims and Islam in contemporary British society. Speaking to the panel, James posed questions as to why faith has been such a taboo in the arts sector, and why the topic is now starting to win funding. The panel also discussed the challenges this kind of work still faces and the impact it is having locally and nationally.

Prof. Michael Scott

Dr James Hodkinson