Be Curious - Saturday 17th March
Have you ever wondered what happens in a University? Be Curious is a research open day with free, interactive and fun activities. Be Curious will take place from 10:00-16:00 on Saturday 17 March
‘Selfitis’: Fact or Fiction
Parkinson Court
Katherine Rawling
Can you spot the difference between a selfie and a self-portrait? Is the global selfie phenomenon a way of connecting with others across the world or a dangerous addiction based on inauthenticity, deception and self-obsession? Can selfie-taking actually damage our health and well-being? Do you have selfitis? Find out here.
Mapping the World
Parkinson Court
Claudia Rogers and Sam Ellis
Through a range of posters, web resources, and craft activities, you can encounter a range of ways people from different cultures (from China to Central America, from the Middle East to Europe) have represented the world on maps, from the 14th century to the present day
Studying transnational war volunteering at the University of Leeds
LG15 Michael Sadler Building
Enrico Acciai
Why, throughout the 19th and the 20th century, did men and women make the same decision to volunteer in transnational armed struggles? Why did foreign volunteers participate in civil wars, revolutions, and inter-state conflicts of no direct material concern to themselves? Garibaldinism at Leeds is trying to answer these questions.
Medieval Memories at Be Curious
Parkinson Building Basement B.08
Focusing on the theme of Medieval Memories, students and staff from the IMS will be asking: what do we remember about the Middle Ages? Which important people and events worldwide should be remembered better? How do we remember the Middle Ages in modern film, TV, architecture and Wikipedia? We will also be investigating the international and global history of the Middle Ages, celebrating the Be Curious theme of 'we are international'. Come and find out more about the global Middle Ages through games, internet, food, pictures and stories.
Where We Live, on Wikipedia
Alaric Hall
Most British place-names originated in the Middle Ages, and often include bits not only from English, but from Scandinavian, Celtic, and Romance languages. Come and find out what the name of your home town meant in medieval times. And if Wikipedia hasn't got it right, we'll correct it together so that everyone else benefits from your visit.
Making Miracles: Medieval Devotional Candle Craft
Claire Trenery
Candles are often used in modern-day religious devotion the world over. In the Middle Ages, thousands of wax offerings - candles and models - were brought to saints' shrines as offerings, most often by sick and injured people in hope of a saintly miracle or to remember one. Come and make your own 'medieval' candle, share your own experiences of lighting candles, and find out why medieval people believed that candles could bring about miracles.
Medieval Church Invaders!
Thomas Smith
Play the card game Medieval Church Invaders and win prizes! Test your skills at conquering medieval churches in this 'trumps' card game by battling kings, queens and popes against each other to see who will emerge triumphant.
Finding God in the Wilderness: Living Alone in the Middle Ages
Victoria Yuskaitis
How did the hermit crab get its name? And what is the difference between an anchor and an anchorite? Many people throughout the Middle Ages chose to withdraw from society and live an isolated, religious life as hermits or anchorites. From the Roman Empire to Norwich, find out more with this interactive timeline and live Q&A.
Mare's Milk and Frozen Feet: A Medieval Journey to Mongolia
Joanna Phillips
Who says that people didn't travel far in the Middle Ages? In 1253, Friar William of Rubruck travelled thousands of miles to the heart of the Mongol Empire. He met the Great Khan, Möngke Khan (grandson of Gengis Khan), and tasted new foods, encountered unfamiliar cultures, and amazing landscapes on the way. Experience William's journey for yourself by playing our Friar William-themed board game.
Make Your Own Saint
Emilia Jamroziak, Romina Westphal, Jarrik van der Biest (MA), and Lucy Guest (MA)
Who was Catherine and what was her wheel? In the Middle Ages, saints were believed to have great powers as mediators with God in times of need. They embodied all ages, genders, races and social classes, and were very international figures who often travelled - literarily and metaphorically - very long distances. They were popular subjects in works of art, and saints can be remembered by their 'attributes': symbols of their identity. In 'make your own saint', design your own saint, choose their attributes, and create a 'passport' for them so that they can start travelling too!
Memories of Food
Iona McCleery/Axel Műller
Different tastes and smells can transport you from one place to another. Come grind some spices from the other side of the world and tell us what memories they inspire. When people travelled in the Middle Ages they often tasted new foods for the very first time, and recorded these experiences in their travel records. Try some medieval recipes and tell us what you think of them!
The full programme is available to download here
