‘Let The World Flourish.’ How do we help?
We will explore 'helping work’ across the large varieties of activities at the University of Glasgow, including research, teaching and services.
Date: Thursday 12 November 2026
Time: 12:30 - 14:00
Venue: Anatomy Museum (located inside the Thomson Building at the University of Glasgow)
Category: Social events, Academic events, Student events, Staff workshops and seminars, Community events,
This event is open to everyone, inside and outside the university, and it aims to stimulate discussion across disciplines and professions. No specialist knowledge is required, only curiosity. You are welcome from 12:30 for mingling; discussion will start at 1pm and the event will end by 2pm. Catering is not provided but you are welcome to bring your own lunch.
Education is commonly listed among the ‘helping professions’, alongside medicine, psychotherapy, social work, etc. In this session, we will explore 'helping work’ across the large varieties of activities at the University of Glasgow, including research, teaching and services. Should helping be central to the mission of the University? How do different members of the university community (teachers, researchers, professional services, students) help and receive help? Is the notion of helping equally relevant to the arts and sciences? Is helping as a mission currently under pressure in a market-driven and stretched higher education system? If you are interested in these topics and questions, please join us for an informal discussion.
The Glasgow Open Salon for Arts and Sciences (GOSAS) is an interdisciplinary initiative initially funded by the University of Glasgow Crucible Seed, inspired by the salon culture of the Scottish Enlightenment. In the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, artists, scientists, and philosophers gathered informally to exchange ideas across disciplinary boundaries, creating spaces that fostered intellectual innovation and social progress. In the same spirit, GOSAS creates a space for relaxed and open between conversations staff, students and members of the public across disciplines and professions.
For any enquiries, please contact The GOSAS Team at gosas@glasgow.ac.uk