Get ready to think, play and discover something new as the University of Hertfordshire’s Festival of Social Science 2026 comes to The Galleria on Friday 30 October.

Taking place in the Upper Mall from 10am–4pm, this free, family-friendly event will bring social science to life through a series of fun, interactive activities exploring money, communities, co-operation and everyday life.


There’s no need to book – simply drop in and get involved.

Join us to discuss three topics:

Could working together help you save money?

One of the highlights will be the **Cooperation Town Challenge: How Much Could You Save on Fresh Fruit and Veg?** Put yourself in the shoes of a community organiser and discover how collective buying could help communities save on their weekly and monthly food bills.

Inspired by the Cooperation Town movement, this interactive simulation will explore how working together to buy fresh fruit and vegetables could help reduce costs while strengthening local communities.

You can also **Crack the Co-op Code!** in a hands-on puzzle challenge designed to uncover the key ingredients behind successful co-operatives, from shared ownership and trust to democratic decision-making and community benefit.

And if you're **Feeling the Squeeze? Discover How Co-ops Can Help** will explore how co-operatives, credit unions, community energy schemes, housing co-ops and mutual aid initiatives can support people through the pressures of rising living costs.

 Something for the whole family

The event is designed for everyone, with plenty of activities for children too. Young visitors can enjoy face painting, a photo booth, colouring and more while discovering how social science connects to the world around them.

Led by experts from the University of Hertfordshire, alongside partners from Cooperation Town and Co-operatives UK, the event offers a chance to learn, take part and explore practical ideas in a fun and informal setting.

Friday 30 October | 10am–4pm
The Galleria, Upper Mall
Free entry | No booking required

Come along, get involved and discover how working together can make a difference to our communities.