Dr Susan Flavin (TCD): ‘Drunk? Adventures in 16th Century Brewing’

Thursday 6 February 2025 at 6pm (27 University Square, QUB, Belfast, Room 01/003)

This seminar will consist of a screening of Susan’s film on re-creating sixteenth-century beer and will be followed by a facilitated discussion. No doubt this will be of particular interest to those intrigued by interdisciplinary research, public history, and (of course) beer!

This seminar focusses on practice-based approaches to history through the lens of the ERC FoodCult brewing project. The project was a major interdisciplinary initiative, bringing together historians, archaeologists, scientists, and craftspeople, to recreate beer from sixteenth-century Ireland. The journey was captured by a team of academic film makers. This resulting film captures the complexities of historical recreation while reflecting on the intersections of art, science, and history. It highlights how embodied and material engagement with the past can generate fresh historiographical insights and invite broader audiences to connect with history. The seminar will comprise a screening of the film, followed by discussion and reflection on historical recreation as a methodology, and its potential for radical cross disciplinary collaboration.

Due to the nature of this seminar, it will be in-person only, so please join us at 6pm in 27 University Square, Queen’s University Belfast, BT7 1NN. As usual, parking is free in the carpark at McClay Library after 4.30pm. More information is available at the event’s Eventbrite page.