Drawing on social science conversations at a lively cafe in Bristol, this highly original book explores the value of public engagement in a wider social science context. The chapters range from themes such as the dialogic character of the social sciences, pragmatism in responses, and the underpinnings of managerial approaches to the restructuring of higher education. The first part reflects upon the different social and political inflections of public engagement. It is followed by chapters based upon talks at the cafe that were concerned with public engagement and the contribution of social...

The Vikings were one of the most adventurous and vibrant of peoples. To find out in as detailed way as possible where they visited, traded, raided, and settled has increasingly required a multidisciplinary approach, stretching across a wide spectrum of expertise from the arts and sciences. This book comprises a collection of papers from experts from a broad range of disciplines and shows how a wide variety of approaches based on historical, archaeological, place-name, linguistic, physical, and genetic tools can collectively provide a detailed understanding of the Vikings in peace and in war.