Glasgow Open Salon for Arts and Sciences
Open conversations across arts, sciences and society
The Glasgow Open Salon for Arts and Sciences (GOSAS) is a series of open, informal gatherings that bring together University of Glasgow staff and students with members of the public to explore major social challenges. Inspired by the tradition of salons during the Scottish Enlightenment, GOSAS creates welcoming spaces for interdisciplinary conversation, curiosity, and exchange across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and STEM disciplines.
Upcoming event
What is the future role of the university in society? Perspectives across arts and sciences
- Perspectives: we will briefly introduce a range of views on the role of the university
- “Speed dating”: structured cross-disciplinary conversations to help you get to know people from different backgrounds
- Group discussion: working together to develop a shared vision for the future of the university and the relationship between arts and sciences
Past events
Bringing STEM and SHAPE together: Discussion salons for solving 21st century challenges
When: Thursday 22 January 2026, 1-3pm (lunch provided)
Where: Advanced Research Centre (ARC), 237B
Speakers include:
This inaugural salon explored the importance and feasibility of interdisciplinary research. The event combined short provocations with open conversation, offering opportunities to meet others, exchange ideas, and help shape future Open Salons.
The joy of research in the modern era
When: Wednesday 1 April 2026, 12:30-2pm (lunch provided)
Where: Clarice Pears Building, 103A
The event providde a space for open discussion and reflection on how research has evolved over recent years and how this change has impacted our enjoyment of the craft.
GOSAS leadership team
Background
During the Scottish Enlightenment, scholars, artists and scientists regularly gathered in informal salons to discuss ideas across disciplinary boundaries. These conversations played a key role in fostering intellectual exchange and innovation.
GOSAS draws inspiration from this tradition, while critically reimagining it for the challenges of the 21st century, by creating open and inclusive spaces for dialogue across disciplines and beyond the university.
The project is led by an interdisciplinary team whose expertise spans the health and life sciences, mathematics and computing, and the social sciences, reflecting the breadth of perspectives that the Open Salons seek to bring into conversation.
Why Open Salons?
Many of today’s most pressing challenges — from health inequalities and environmental sustainability to political polarisation and disruptive technologies — cannot be understood or addressed from a single disciplinary perspective.
GOSAS responds to this by creating open and informal spaces that encourage dialogue across SHAPE and STEM discipline and welcome participation beyond the university.
By foregrounding conversation, curiosity and community, Open Salons offer a different way of engaging with complex social questions. They are designed to support experimentation, learning and connection in ways that formal academic settings often cannot.
Who is GOSAS for?
GOSAS events are open to all:
-
University of Glasgow staff and students, across all disciplines and career stages
-
members of the public with an interest in social issues and ideas
-
community organisations, creatives and practitioners
No specialist knowledge is required — only curiosity and a willingness to engage in conversation.