Running from 6–15 November 2025, Being Human is led by the School of Advanced Study at the University of London, and supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the British Academy. Each year, the festival celebrates research in the humanities and its impact on everyday life. This year’s theme, ‘Between the Lines’, explores the boundaries and intersections that connect us, inviting audiences to reflect on the spaces in between where meaning takes shape.

This year’s festival will feature 220 events across 39 towns and cities in the UK, bringing together researchers, artists, charities, museums, and community groups for free public events and creative collaborations.

As part of this national programme, the University of Bedfordshire is working with The Higgins Bedford and the Panacea Museum to present a range of research-led exhibitions, workshops and talks. These events highlight the University’s commitment to knowledge exchange and demonstrating the power of humanities research to engage and inspire wider audiences.

Dr Nicola Darwood, Director of the Research Institute for Media, Art and Performance and Senior Lecturer in English Literature, at the University of Bedfordshire, said: “It’s been a huge pleasure working with the Panacea Museum and the Higgins Bedford to bring Being Human to Bedford. There’s a fascinating programme of talks and activities as part of the Being Human Festival. It’s a great opportunity to showcase some really interesting research from the University of Bedfordshire, the National Trust, the Panacea Museum, the Centre for the Critical Study of Apocalyptic and Millenarian Movements, and local creative artists.”

Highlights of the University of Bedfordshire’s festival programme include:

At The Higgins Bedford:

• LGBTQIA+ Leadership and Poetry Exhibition. From 6–16 November, explore artwork and narrative writing that celebrate LGBTQIA+ leadership, alongside poetry from Rainbow Bedfordshire’s writing project. Curated by Dr Alex Baird and Katie O’Pray, this exhibition considers the journeys of leaders within the LGBTQIA+ community
• Everyday Icons: Poetry Workshop. On Sunday 9 November, 14:15–16:15, join award-winning poet Katie O’Pray for a creative workshop inspired by the Rainbow Bedfordshire poetry and life-writing display at The Higgins.
• A Queer Inheritance: Alternative Histories in the National Trust. On Tuesday 11 November, 12.30-13.30, hear from author Michael Hall as he explores the hidden queer histories of National Trust houses and landscapes, revealing how many owners defied traditional norms of sexuality and gender.

At the Panacea Museum:

• Unravelling the Words and Deeds of the First Christian Women. On Thursday 6 November, 13:00–14:00, Professor James Crossley (CenSAMM and University of Cambridge) draws on biblical and historical research to explore women in the Bible – including those erased or absent from scripture – and connects these themes to the women of the Panacea Society
• Unravelling the Past: In Her Own Words Exhibition. From 6-15 November, discover poetry and prose written, edited and published by the women of the Panacea Society. The exhibition reveals the ways that members of the Panacea Society were inspired by other authors and poets, in their own writing
• In Her Own Words: The Literary Life of Mabel “Octavia” Barltrop. On Thursday 13 November, 13:00–14:00, Dr Nicola Darwood explains how material in the Panacea Society's archives reveal Octavia's influences and reading habits, which in turn inspired Octavia's own writing.

This event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 6–15 November 2025. Being Human is led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information, please see beinghumanfestival.org.