The Journal
TALKS & LECTURES
52
POLITICS AND SOCIETY: THE THORNY ISSUES Fitzwilliam hosted its first “Fresh Thinking at Fitz” event in October 2019, featuring Dame Louise Casey and Charles Clarke in discussion with the Master. Dame Louise spoke passionately about issues ranging from ASBOs to the impact of education, as well as her time as the deputy director of Shelter and head of the Rough Sleepers’ Unit. Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke primarily discussed the big issues that politicians find difficult to solve. He explained some of the barriers to those in government, no matter the political persuasion, including dealing with groups who might have vested interests and navigating legal constraints when implementing solutions to problems.
BART VAN ES
ARROL ADAM LECTURE
In November 2019 Bart van Es (English 1991) gave a talk about his 2018 Costa Book of the Year, The Cut Out Girl: A Story of War and Family, Lost and Found to the Literary Society. The Cut Out Girl is a work of creative non-fiction that depicts the life of a Jewish girl in hiding during World War II in The Netherlands.
Fellow and multi award-winning plant scientist Professor Giles Oldroyd gave the annual Arrol Adam lecture in July 2020.
Professor van Es is currently Professor of English Literature; Fellow and Senior Tutor at St Catherine’s College, Oxford.
This was our first lecture delivered over Zoom, and Giles spoke on the topic, “How beneficial associations in plants can drive sustainable food production.”
