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Culture, Heritage and Society Events

Home to D H Lawrence, Lord Byron and Alan Sillitoe, Nottingham has recently been appointed the 18th UNESCO City of Literature. The Nottingham in Parliament Day initiative celebrated Nottingham’s literary heritage and its flourishing cultural scene.

Please click on the event titles below for more details on each event

Nottingham: A Global Cultural Leader

In 2015 Nottingham was admitted to the ranks of only 20 cities worldwide which hold the prestigious status of UNESCO City of Literature. Arts organisations and individual artists joined forces with the city’s heritage sector, the universities and the City Council to support the city’s bid. Join the Nottingham Cultural Partnership to celebrate this achievement and learn more about our thriving and connected cultural offer. You will meet some of Nottingham outstanding artists and hear from the newly appointed Director of UNESCO City of Literature Sandeep Mahal. 

Why Do They Hate Us? Politicians in Fiction

Most politicians will be aware the public views them negatively. There are a number of influences on the perception of politicians, but one that is usually overlooked is how drama and fiction represents politics. Professor Steven Fielding will share the results his resarch into this topic before a panel discussion with Alistair Beaton, Lord Michael Dobbs (Author of House of Cards, invited), Matt Forde, Ayesha Hazarika, and Gloria De Piero MP on the fall of the good politician, the rise of the bad, and its consequences.

 

The Freedom Blueprint: How We End Contemporary Slavery

There are 46 million people enslaved around the world today, including up to 13,000 in the UK. Britain is a world-leader in fighting slavery, with the Modern Slavery Act, Anti-Slavery Commissioner, and new government task force. But to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of ending slavery by 2030, we need a platform of cutting-edge antislavery methods and strategies. Join some of the world’s leading experts on contemporary slavery to debate a Freedom Blueprint, the world’s first large-scale research agenda for ending slavery.

Introducing the National Justice Museum

This interactive session will ask attendees and a group of young people, what could a National Justice Museum do for you? The debate will explore how a National Justice Museum could inspire children, young people and families to play an active role in society through an improved understanding of the law and justice system. It will explore how people can be inspired by their rights and responsibilities to make positive changes in their lives and make informed decisions about their futures.

 

“University Challenge”: University of Nottingham vs House of Commons

Parliament’s most erudite MPs, including Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson MP, take on university brainboxes in a one-off battle of the intellects between The University of Nottingham’s brainiest professors and a selection of Westminster’s finest, hosted by expert quizmaster and Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP.

The University of Nottingham Westminster Reception

The culmination of the inaugural Nottingham in Parliament Day, The University of Nottingham’s Westminster Reception will bring together friends and alumni of the University working at a senior-level across Westminster, Whitehall and the wider policy community. This prestigious, invite-only reception sponsored by Lilian Greenwood MP will feature a keynote address from University graduate and former Head of MI6, Sir John Sawers, as well as speeches from University of Nottingham Chancellor Sir Andrew Witty and our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir David Greenaway.

 

Nottingham Pathways to Politics 

Nottingham’s School of Politics and International Relations will lead a panel discussion with Nottingham alumni: Neil Carmichael, MP for Stroud, Jeremy Browne, former Coalition Minister and Holly Wicks, Research Team Leader at ComRes. Chaired by Nottingham’s own Mark Stuart, discussion will focus on the Pathways to Politics taken by the panel. This offers a unique opportunity to receive advice and opinions for politically engaged Nottingham students.

Nottingham Pathways to Politics Alumni Reception

The School of Politics Alumni Networking reception event held at Westminster’s Old Star public house. Join us for a drink after work and to hear from guest speaker be Jeremy Browne, former Coalition Minister in both the Home and Foreign Office and former Nottingham University Student Union President.  This event will bring School of Politics Professors and politically engaged, career-minded students from the University to meet and network with Westminster-based Nottingham alumni.

 

Tackling Misogyny and the Language of Discrimination

Up to 3 million women and girls in the UK experience rape, domestic violence, stalking, or other violence each year. 
In July 2016, Nottinghamshire Police became the first Force to classify misogyny as a hate crime. International debate and online abuse ensued. In 
this panel, we will debate online misogyny, the shift from online to real-world abuse and the benefits of this policy becoming nationwide. Professor Louise Mullany will be joined by Stella Creasy MP, Sue Fish, Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police and Melanie Jeffs from Nottingham Women’s Centre.

Financial Resilience in Nottingham and the True Cost of Austerity

Nottingham is ranked 8th out of the 326 local authorities for income deprivation (with one being the most deprived). Advice Nottingham is hosting a roundtable discussion on the effects of austerity for the people of Nottingham and the UK, focusing on the innovative ways Nottingham charities are helping to financially equip local people in financially uncertain times.

 

Tony's Last Tape

For the first time ever, Tony's Last Tape will be performed in the House of Commons, a cultural high-note for the end of Nottingham in Parliament Day. For more than fifty years he has been recording everything that has happened to and around him. Today, he has decided to make his last tape. Based on Tony Benn’s diaries, this play examines the struggle of a man who realises it is time to withdraw from the fight, but just doesn’t quite know how.

 

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Email us: nottinghamday@nottingham.ac.uk