The Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS) has been officially launched in the newly refurbished Highfield House on University Park.

CAS is a hub of research excellence to help academics and students make internationally significant and pioneering contributions to the ways in which social, cultural, economic and political life is understood and practised.

Much of this new research is cross-disciplinary ranging from the shedding of new light on regional history to the role of the humanities in healthcare as well as the creative economy including pervasive digital media and moving image research. CAS also actively promotes public engagement outside academia in the arts and social sciences.

As part of the launch, the 12th Earl of Portland — actor and writer, Tim Bentinck, who plays David in BBC Radio 4’s The Archers — gave a reading from the University-curated Portland family archive collection.

And writer, broadcaster and sociologist Professor Laurie Taylor discussed what makes a good society and why do the arts, humanities and social sciences matter?  for the keynote speech.

Professor Taylor said: “Anyone who doubts the need for research in the humanities and social sciences only has to think for a moment about the critical questions which currently preoccupy all those with an urgent concern about the future of our society; questions about the changing nature of work, about the impact upon our daily lives of developments in the digital landscape, about issues of urban development and residential segregation, changes in leisure pursuits and tourism, issues of environmental sustainability and ways of increasing happiness and wellbeing.

“It is a testament to the value of the Centre for Advanced Studies that all of these research matters (and others) feature in its current inventory of active research.”

Director of CAS, Professor Pat Thomson, added: “At a time when society both nationally and globally faces major challenges, the arts and social sciences make particularly important contributions to knowledge and to the quality and scope of public discussion. CAS fulfils its mission by providing administrative support and funding generation as well as practical help and strategic planning for research, public engagement and the forging of new partnerships.”

The centre includes the former Humanities and Social Sciences Research Centre team and is directed by an Executive Committee which includes an academic Director, the Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and the Graduate School, and the Research Manager.

An example of work being undertaken include The Raleigh Project, a three-year collaborative study on the history and social impact of the celebrated Nottingham bicycle brand. It includes archive research, an oral history programme, public lectures and film screenings and community theatre involving the ex-Raleigh workforce. It will culminate in the  production of a digital archive.