Humanities, Cultures and Environment Experience Day

We're delighted to invite year 11, 12 and 13 students to explore studying Archaeology, History, Geography and Theology and Religious Studies at our modern university at Exton Park Campus on Parkgate Road, Chester, 10 am - 2 pm Wednesday 19th March.
 
An experience day is an excellent opportunity to deepen subject knowledge and get some hands-on experience of what it’s like to study at university. We’ll have a range of engaging, interactive sessions with experts from across our subject teams (more details to follow), as well as tours of the campus.
 
No catering is provided so please either bring packed lunches and refreshments or you may purchase these on campus (please note we are a cashless campus).
 
To book a school group on, please book here
 
For students to book themselves on to attend individually, please book here.

Geography & Environment sessions

“Tell me what you eat and I will tell you who you are” – food geographies of identity, place and home

Rebecca Collins

In this session, you will travel the world on an international picnic, exploring the relationship between place, food and identity.  We’ll think about how food reflects – and sometimes creates – culture, as well as how what we eat enables us to feel close to – or far from – home. 

Carbon capture and storage in coastal wetlands

Graham Wilson

The session focuses on carbon capture and storage in tidal wetlands as an ecosystem service. Carbon sequestration and burial rates are explored, as well as issues surrounding ‘blue carbon’ accounting in restored marshes.

'Coastal Management in a Changing World: Can We Defend the Coast?'

Andrew Miles

This session will examine the increasing challenge of managing our coastlines in the face of a changing climate and rising sea levels. Coastal regions are vital, being the location of many of our major cities, containing vital infrastructure and facilitating global trade as well as being home to some of the world's most beautiful and unique ecosystems. As pressure on these systems increases, understanding the factors responsible for shaping them is critical in determining how (and if) we can protect them.

"Creating Greener Cities for Smoother Rides: The Future of Urban Transport"

Dami Akosile

How do we get around without harming the planet? In this session, we’ll explore how cities can create better, cleaner, and more efficient transportation systems. Through real-world examples and fun discussions, we’ll tackle big questions. Linked to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11 & 13), this session will challenge you to think about the future of travel – and what we can do to make it better!

History and Archaeology sessions

Stories from bones! An Introduction to the analysis of human remains

Amy Gray Jones

This session will introduce you to what archaeologists can learn about past lives by examining the physical remains of past people. 

Gotta Catch 'Em All: Christians in Shogunate Japan.

David Harry

Between 1550 and 1600 Catholic missionaries travelled to China and Japan in large numbers, as part of efforts by the Portuguese to colonise Asia. In Japan, and handful of missionaries believed they could conquer a nation 100 million strong, until a campaign of murder and torture launched by the Shogun sought to eradicate all evidence of Christianity in Japan forever.

Star Wars Archaeology

Howard Williams

In this session, we’ll explore archaeology and archaeologists in the universe of Star Wars from Tatooine to Tython, from Seatos to Peridea. This helps us consider how the past was encountered and interpreted by fictional characters living a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. It also sheds light on the values and significance of the material past in our present-day popular culture.

Britpop Breakout

Rebecca Andrew & Sam Chadwick

Find out how 'Mad Fer It' Britain was in the 1990s, using historical sources from music and politics. You'll get the chance to try out 'Escape Room' style activities, where the answers come from a series of Britpop-themed clues. We'll then think about what Britpop can tell historians about society, culture and politics in the late 20thC.

Theology & Religious Studies sessions

Christian Views of the Afterlife

Paul Middleton

What happens when we die is a question that has occupied humans for millennia. In this session, we explore the development of the ways in which Christians have understood the afterlife from historical, theological, philosophical, and ethical perspectives.  

Losing Our Religion?

Dawn Llewellyn

Is Christianity in decline? Is religion less influential in British society? Or are we as ‘sacred’ as ever?  The extent to which religion is – or is not! – part of private and public life is a key question for understanding our social and cultural worlds. Using recent data about religious identity, belief, and non-belief, we’ll examine and debate the importance of religion in contemporary British life.

British Muslims

Richard Gauvain

In this session, we’ll explore aspects of Muslim experience in Britain, examining key moments and addressing the challenges of Islamophobia, while celebrating British Muslims’ resilience and contributions, from Sadiq Khan’s political leadership to Mo Farah’s athletic achievements and Hana Tajima’s fashion innovations.