Oxford Union Hilary Term 2021 by The Oxford Union

Oxford Union HILARY TERM 2021

James Price President “I have always strenuously supported the right of every man to his own opinion, however different that opinion might be to mine. He who denies to another this right, makes a slave of himself to his present opinion, because he precludes himself the right of changing it.” – Thomas Paine Civil society institutions like the Oxford Union are peculiar and surprisingly delicate things. To some, they are the (in our case, magnificent) buildings. To others they are its people. To others again they are the ideas themselves, like free speech and free inquiry, that they represent and promote. But for most of 2020, our buildings were shut, our people change rapidly, and our foundational beliefs are now routinely challenged. And whilst our name has long been recognised in palaces and parliaments, new technology now means that well over a million people know us as a YouTube channel with an organisation attached to it. Of course, to many more the Union is an inward-looking clique where you may occasionally go to see the odd speaker or borrow a book, never quite understanding the fuss.

What then, should the Union, (in)famously dubbed the ‘last bastion of free speech in the Western world’ look like, say and do in 21st Century Britain? Answering this question is not my job, but that of you, its members, whether you be current students or graduates, and I invite you all to join us in asking it. My committee and I have taken a stab at an answer with this term card. Plans are underway to work with local schools to provide training in public speaking and debating and improves access opportunities at every level. We have our renowned series of debates, speakers and panels. And we have a new series of events and discussions with CEOs, Nobel prize winners and deep thinkers on interdisciplinarity and new thinking on the future of the academy. It asks another question: “Is the current system of siloed academic disciplines fit for purpose?”. But even these events don’t answer the question of what the Union is. All I can say is that it is yours, and I hope we can work to an answer, or at least, as all good arts students will enjoy, join us in criticising the question. James Price Worcester College

Chengkai Xie Librarian We are living in uncertain times. Yet, in the Librarian’s office, our committee members worked hard to deliver what members rightfully expect. This term, we reflect on the meaning of leadership in science and politics during the crisis, from Helen Clark to Kim Campbell. We also record and archive the tumultuous path of the most recent years with joy and tears along the way: from the hearts and minds behind Vote Leave to life and death during the initial 76 days of Covid outbreak. As your Librarian, I am proud that the Union continues to hold conversations that matter. I am also a devoted custodian of our beloved Old Library. Our library staff have worked tirelessly to ensure members can still access our collection through click and collect as well as delivery requests. If the pandemic makes your study difficult, we are here for you. I have always believed the Union is here to serve its members, so if you would like to join me at Library Committee Zoom meetings (where real power resides in the Union) or enquire about speaker events and ballot to e-meet speakers, then feel free to get in touch! librarian@oxford-union.org 子曰:君子欲讷于言而敏于行。与君共勉！ Chengkai Xie Brasenose College

Kesaia Toganivalu Treasurer To the Oxford Union’s members, welcome to another exciting term in rather unprecedented times. I would like to thank the hard work of the previous Treasurer and the Treasurer-Elect for making my job as rewarding as it is. This term we hope to continue many of our historic partnerships with local and national businesses and to reward our member’s with amazing floor prizes. If one thing is certain this term, it is that we as your committee will strive to deliver a term that builds upon the legacy of the Union and ensures our society will survive and adapt with an ever changing world. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible and hearing your ideas on how I can fulfil my office, as ever, for the members. Kesaia Toganivalu Magdalen College

Aditya Dabral Secretary Hey everyone! I hope you’ve had a restful vacation and have generally been keeping well during these strange times. The committee this term has worked hard to assemble a list of incredible speakers and subjects, and I can’t wait to see what you all make of it. I’m proud of the termcard we’ve assembled, and feel confident in saying that it confronts some of the most topical and interesting issues we face today. Accompanying these are our great set of panel topics; from looking at impact of Black music to examining the discourse around mental health, I’m proud to know that we’re platforming subjects that deserve further consideration and discussion and which have typically been glossed over. In my role as Secretary I do a copious amount of minuting, as well as organising social events where possible. It looks like it will be an odd term to navigate but I look forward to doing my best in making sure the Union plays an interesting and fun part of your upcoming term. If you have any ideas or questions you’d like to put to me, please don’t hesitate to contact me! Aditya Dabral St Hugh’s College

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Special Events

Speakers 36

Smashing the silos 60

Information 68

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Debates “My own opinion is enough for me, and I claim the right to have it defended against any consensus, any majority, anywhere, any place, any time. And anyone who disagrees with this can pick a number, get in line, and kiss my ass.” ― Christopher Hitchens

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For nearly two centuries, the Oxford Union has served as a platform for the continued exchange of ideas. Today, this takes place primarily through our world famous Thursday night debates. These events showcase arguments from leading figures and give members the chance to have their voices heard. Owing to the ongoing pandemic, these debates will be held online for much of this term, though we hope to return to in-person debates as soon as possible. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for updates and links to the events.

This House Believes It Is None Of Your Business.......................................................................................... 6 This House Has Had Enough Of Experts....................................................................................................... 8 This House Believes The NHS Is The Envy Of The World............................................................................. 10 This House Believes We Are All Religious................................................................................................... 12 This House Would Cancel Cancel Culture................................................................................................... 14 This Union Would Save The Union............................................................................................................. 16 This House Has No Confidence In Her Majestyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Most Loyal Opposition................................................... 18 This House Is A Roundhead, Not A Cavalier................................................................................................ 20

WEEK 1

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Thursday, 21st January, 19:00 This House Believes It Is None Of Your Business It is not always easy to keep your private life hidden from prying eyes, especially for political figures and celebrities. Tabloid culture and the rise of social media indulge an obsession with the daily lives of public figures. The question is where our quest for accountability ends and the invasion of our privacy begins. With great power comes great responsibility, but has intrusion gone too far and does it prevent effective scrutiny of public figures? Is it true that “the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about”?

Proposition

Opposition

Silkie Carlo The Director of Big Brother Watch, she works to uphold rights in the fields of state surveillance, policing technologies, big data, artificial intelligence and free expression online.

Sir Michael Tugendhat The High Court’s senior media judge for England and Wales. He has presided over numerous famous cases featuring John Terry, Sir Fred Goodwin and the Metropolitan Police.

Carissa Véliz Associate Professor at the Institute for Ethics in AI at Oxford University, she is the author of ‘Privacy Is Power: Why and How You Should Take Back Control of Your Data’.

Camilla Tominey Associate Editor of The Daily Telegraph, covering politics and Royals. Her exclusive story breaking the news of Prince Harry’s relationship with Meghan Markle was nominated for Scoop of the Year at the 2016 British Press Awards.

Emma Sayle One of the UK’s leading ‘sex-entrepreneurs’. She made her name launching the elite global adult-party brand Killing Kittens in 2005, which now has over 180,000 members worldwide.

Michael Prescott Managing Director of Political Strategy at Hanover Communications. Before entering corporate life, Michael spent 17 years as a journalist, ten of them at the Sunday Times, where he served as chief political correspondent and then political editor. 9

WEEK 2

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Thursday, 28th January, 19:00 This House Has Had Enough Of Experts Michael Gove’s infamous quip during the Brexit referendum summed up the mood of many who felt disenfranchised by seemingly endless doomsday economic forecasts that never come to fruition. The conversation surrounding the role of experts in decision making has once more been thrust to the forefront of public debate as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Have the so-called experts lost their credibility and the people’s confidence, or should we look to the technocrats, not the politicians, to lead us out of this crisis and into the coming decade?

Proposition

Opposition

Henry Mance The FT’s chief features writer. He writes features and interviews for the FT Weekend, as well as a weekly satirical column on politics and culture.

Ben Page Chief Executive of Ipsos MORI, one of the best-known survey organisations in the UK, carrying out research studies in the areas of social and public policy.

Tom Harwood He is the senior reporter for the political news website Guido Fawkes and was previously the national chair of ‘Students for Britain’.

Jonathan Portes Served as Chief Economist at the Cabinet Office from 2008 to 2011, leading the Cabinet Office’s economic analysis and economic policy work during the financial crisis and on the G20 London Summit in April 2009.

Dehenna Davison The first Conservative to be the Member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland. She is a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee, she is also a member of the European Research Group and is on the steering committee of the China Research Group.

Dolly Theis Part of the NIHR School for Public Health Research, her research centres around the government policymaking process in relation to public health policy and how epidemiological evidence is used by policymakers to make policy decisions.

WEEK 3

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Thursday, 4th February, 19:00 This House Believes The NHS Is The Envy Of The World Our ‘free at the point of use’ National Health Service was recently declared by Boris Johnson as ‘one of the great unifying institutions of our country’. Is the peace of mind its funding model affords, that no one needs to worry about being able to afford treatment, worth the middling healthcare outcomes and year after year of winter crises? Should Brits clap for the NHS and form a ‘human shield’ from the threat of ‘privatisation’, or should we learn more from countries other than the US?

Proposition

Opposition

Jeremy Hunt A Conservative MP, he was the longest-serving Healthy Secretary in British political history and is currently Chairman of the Health and Social Care Select Committee.

Kate Andrews Economics correspondent at The Spectator and host of podcast series ‘Coronomics: stories from countries turned upside down’.

Sir David Nicholson Formerly the Chief Executive of the National Health Service in England, he is currently Chair of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Matthew Lesh Head of Research at the Adam Smith Institute, he is a frequent writer for the Telegraph and has recently criticised NHS bureaucracy.

Dr Amir Khan Star of the TV show ‘GPs: Behind Closed Doors’, he is a GP with a special interest in diabetes and teaches undergraduate medical students.

Kristian Niemietz Currently the Head of Political Economy at the Institute of Economic Affairs, he was previously a specialist in Health and Welfare.

WEEK 4

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Thursday, 11th February, 19:00 This House Believes We Are All Religious Religious institutions have dominated public life for thousands of years, as sources of belief, understanding and community. Today, however, faith and religion exert less overt influence over how the world is run. People claim to derive moral values from other sources, and deride belief-based structures as outdated. With the number of people who say they do not subscribe to a formal faith on the rise, have we outgrown religion, or does society show that we are all still guided by these foundational beliefs, even if we don’t realise it?

Proposition

Opposition

Lawrence Krauss An anti-theist theoretical physicist and cosmologist, he is an advocate for public understanding of science, public policy based on sound empirical data, scientific skepticism, and science education.

Andrew Copson Chief Executive of Humanists UK, having previously been its Director of Education and Public Affairs. He has represented the humanist movement extensively on national television and radio, as well as writing for a number of national newspapers.

John Lennox Renowned for speaking on the interface of science, philosophy and religion, he has published a variety of books on the topic, including ‘God’s Undertaker: Has Science Buried God?’ and ‘Seven Days That Divide The World’.

Michael Shermer Founder of The Skeptics Society, and editor-in-chief of its magazine ‘Skeptic’, his research is largely devoted to investigating pseudoscientific and supernatural claims. Once a fundamental Christian, he now accepts the labels agnostic and atheist.

Daniel Jones He became world famous for founding The Church of Jediism at the age of 20. All his research into conceptions of the perfect human pointed towards the idyllic Jedi Knights from the Star Wars universe, so he set about developing the teachings of Jediism.

Louise Antony An American philosopher who specialises on the philosophy of mind, she has recently edited and published a collection of personal reflections by atheist philosophers, entitled ‘Philosophers Without Gods: Meditations on Atheism and the Secular Life’. 15

WEEK 5

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Thursday, 18th February, 19:00 This House Would Cancel Cancel Culture “Cancel culture” is the boycott of the 21st century. To practitioners, cancel culture is a new way of holding public figures and even companies accountable for their actions. But does cancel culture really facilitate the redemption of people? Or does it simply encourage virtue signalling rather than enduring progress? If so, does it truly justify the destruction of the reputation and livelihoods of public figures?

Proposition

Opposition

Nick Buckley MBE He came to national attention in June 2020, when he was sacked from the charity he founded, Mancunian Way, for criticising some of the aims of the Black Lives Matter organisation. He was ultimately reinstated, and the Board resigned due to public pressure and the threat of legal action.

J.C. Hallman Author of the famous article ‘In Defence of Cancel Culture’, published in the Columbia Journal. His other works include publishing six non-fiction books, that cover a wide range of themes, including love and religion.

Suzanne Nossel Chief Executive of PEN America, a non-profit organization that works to defend and celebrate free expression through the advancement of literature and human rights. She has written on Cancel Culture in her book ‘Dare to Speak: Defending Free Speech for All’.

Camonghne Felix Formerly Governor Andrew Cuomo’s official speechwriter, she was hired as the director of surrogates and strategic communications for Elizabeth Warren’s 2020 presidential campaign. Her first full-length collection of poems, ‘Build Yourself a Boat’, was longlisted for the 2019 National Book Award for Poetry.

Pippa Norris A lecturer in Comparative Politics at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, she wrote the highly influential research paper ‘Closed minds? Is a ‘cancel culture’ stifling academic freedom and intellectual debate in political science?’

Alex O’Connor Current Oxford student and founder of the Cosmic Skeptic YouTube channel that has over 300,000 subscribers. His videos, blogs and podcasts promote the open discussion of philosophy and religion.

WEEK 6

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Thursday, 25th February, 19:00 This Union Would Save The Union The Scottish Independence referendum in 2014 was described as ‘a once in a lifetime opportunity’ for the Scottish people to determine their future. However, a resurgence in support for Independence and the Scottish National Party’s continued dominance of Holyrood once again leaves the future of the UK uncertain. Scotland’s place in the Union has been a thorny issue for decades, and the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union has only exacerbated tensions. Now, with the SNP going into the 2021 Holyrood elections pledging a second referendum, the Union is once again under threat. Should this Union try to save that one, and if so, can we?

Proposition Malcolm Rifkind Served in various roles as a Cabinet minister under Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major, including Secretary of State for Scotland, Defence Secretary, and Foreign Secretary.

Opposition Mark Littlewood Director General of the Institute of Economic Affairs. He has formerly been the chief press spokesman for the Liberal Democrats.

Currently in talks with the SNP to secure more speakers

WEEK 7

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Thursday, 4th March, 19:00 This House Has No Confidence In Her Majesty’s Most Loyal Opposition Every year, the Oxford Union begins the academic year with a famous and robust debate topic: “This House Has No Confidence In Her Majesty’s Government”. COVID put paid to that, so in a twist we will put Her Majesty’s Most Loyal Opposition to the test. Is Keir Starmer a potential Prime Minister-in-waiting? Or, after 10 years of Conservative rule, are Labour still unelectable? And what is the role of an official Opposition in the age of coronavirus?

Proposition Andrea Leadsom Andrea Leadsom is a Member of Parliament and was the runner-up in the 2016 contest to become Conservative Party Leader and Prime Minister. She spent many years as a Government and Cabinet Minister, including as both Business Secretary and Leader of the House of Commons.

Opposition Nick Thomas-Symonds Shadow Home Secretary and Member of Parliament for Torfaen.He previously served in the Shadow Home Office Team of Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott as Shadow Minister of State for Security.

Alex Stafford The first Conservative to hold a seat at Rother Valley. He is a member of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee and previously worked at the World Wildlife Fund. Further speakers are set to be announced depending on the parliamentary schedule

WEEK 8

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Thursday, 11th March, 19:00 This House Is A Roundhead, Not A Cavalier ‘I judge a man by one thing, which side would he have liked his ancestors to fight on at Marston Moor?’ so asked Liberal MP Isaac Foot. The roots of many English political divisions have been shaped by the struggles between the Cavaliers and Roundheads, the Protectorate of Cromwell and the Restoration of Charles II. Be it on Brexit, lockdown or conduct in public life, does the Civil War still rage on? This was the topic of the Union’s first ever debate, so it is about time we ask members once again; for whom would you take up arms?

Proposition

Opposition

Daniel Hannan The founding president of the Initiative for Free Trade and was a MEP for South East England until the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU. He writes regular columns for the Sunday Telegraph and the International Business Times.

Marcus Walker Formerly Deputy Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome, the Anglican Communion’s embassy to the Vatican. He co-ordinated the first Anglican Evensong at St Peter’s Basilica and has also worked as a parliamentary researcher.

Robert Tombs Professor Emeritus of French History at Cambridge University and specialises in French political history. He is planning to write a book on the history of Brexit.

Madeline Waluigi Grant Sketch writer for The Daily Telegraph, Madeline will rack her brains to win the debate for England, for home, and for the prize!

James Price A dour, plain President who has often been beseech’d, in the bowels of Christ, to think it possible he may be mistaken about things. Who funds him?

Floor Prizes WEEK

DEBATE

Privacy

Ede & Ravenscroft - £100 Voucher

Experts

White Rabbit - Meal for Two

NHS

Jo Malone - £45 Gift Set

Religion

Burrows & Hare - £100 Voucher

Cancel Culture

Victors - Eat-at-Home Sushi Set valued at £50

Scotland

Pho - £50 Voucher

No Confidence

Burrows & Hare - £100 Voucher

Civil War

The Perch - Meal for Two

FIRST PRIZE

SECOND PRIZE

EMERGENCY PRIZE Neds Noodle Box - £40 Voucher (Meal for Two)

Happy Cakes - Cupcakes Giftbox (12 Cupcakes)

Pizza Pilgrams - 2 x Free Pizza Voucher

iScream Gelateria - £10 Voucher

Skogen - £40 Voucher (Meal for Two)

Common Ground Cafe & Workspace - Free Hot Drink & Cake

Mamma Mia Pizzeria Jericho - Meal for Two

Happy Cakes - Cupcakes Giftbox (12 Cupcakes)

Pizza Pilgrams - 2 x Free Pizza Voucher

Common Ground Cafe & Workspace - Free Hot Drink & Cake

Mamma Mia Pizzeria Summertown - Meal for Two

Common Ground Cafe & Workspace - Free Hot Drink & Cake

Neds Noodle Box - £40 Voucher (Meal for Two)

Happy Cakes - Cupcakes Giftbox (12 Cupcakes)

Pizza Pilgrams - 2 x Free Pizza Voucher

Common Ground Cafe & Workspace - Free Hot Drink & Cake

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Photograph taken by the President

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Special Events The Union has a proud history of serving as a forum for the discussions that matter. To that end, we have organised a range of special events in addition to our usual schedule of speakers and debates. Just as full-throated debate can capture the imagination and ignite the passions, it can also at times overshadow those topics where a more consensual discussion is more helpful. This term we discuss hot topics from the present day like mental health or domestic abuse, and confront looming questions from the future, such as the fate of the city of London and the malevolent presence of the CCP. We hope you enjoy our special events, and that they will help challenge your conceptions and open your mind to new experiences, perspectives, and ideas.

“To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.” ― Frederick Douglass

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Hao Wu Wu is a Sino-American filmaker, writer and former blogger. Best known for making documentaries about China, his first film, ‘’Beijing or Bust”, followed the cultural journey of six American-born Chinese individuals moving back to Beijing. In 2006, Wu was detained for five months by the Chinese Government whilst making a documentary on underground churches. He has gone on to make more documentaries, most notably “The Road to Fame”, “People’s Republic of Desire” and most recently “76 Days”, a film about the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic in China.

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Leave or Remain: The Future of The City The Remain Campaign was dominated by the fear that the City of London would lose its place as a global centre for trade and financial services. Even 5 years later, the constant threat that businesses would relocate to Frankfurt, Dublin and Paris leaves the fate of the city unclear. Is the future a bleak one, with London losing its competitive edge in favour of other, newer centres of global finance? Or does London’s location, access to the still-dominant English legal system and natural charm mean the exodus will be smaller than expected? Has the city been given an opportunity to modernise, to become a centre for non-European trade, sustainable finance or ‘FinTech’? Or has the time come to accept a less wealthy city, to bring it in line with the rest of the country and finally heal decades of national division? Xavier Rolet French businessman and CEO of CQS. He is the former CEO of the London Stock Exchange Group and was named in the 2017 Harvard Business Review’s List of the 100 Best CEOs in the World. Charlotte Crosswell CEO of Innovative Finance, the independent industry body for the UK Fintech Sector. She has over 20 years of experience as a CEO, an advisor and a non-executive director of trading platforms, government advisory boards and fintech companies. Charles Lewington Founded Hanover Communications in 1998 on the back of a high profile career in Downing Street and political journalism. He was Press Secretary to John Major in the 1990s, handling some of the biggest political issues of the decade. Prior to that, he held senior management positions on a number of national newspapers, including the Sunday and Daily Express. Baron Paul Myners CBE Former Financial Services Secretary under Gordon Brown. He is a former chairman of Marks and Spencers, former deputy chairman of PowerGen and is now a cross-bencher in the House of Lords.

Alderman Vincent Keaveny Vincent Keaveny is an Alderman in the City of London and was the Sheriff of London in 2018/2019. He is also a partner at international law firm, DLA Piper LLP.

In Partnership with Hogan Lovells 31

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Whistleblowing Panel In a period in history where ‘post-truth’ was Oxford Dictionary’s 2016 Word of the Year, those that stand up for the truth and defend it are as crucial as ever. Whistleblowers have played a historic role in exposing injustice, often at a high personal cost. This panel will discuss the experiences of whistleblowers, and consider whether they would blow the whistle again if they had the choice. It will also hear from industry experts on what we as a society can do to protect them. Baroness Kramer Baroness Kramer is the Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Whistleblowing and Life Peer in the House of Lords. Prior to becoming a Lord, she served as a Member of Parliament representing Richmond Park on behalf of the Liberal Democrats. She serves as the Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Treasury and Economy). Baroness Kramer has, in the past, said “We need whistleblowers and we need to treasure them, because they are important witnesses to the truth.” Mark Whitacre Mark Edward Whitacre is an American business executive who came to public attention in 1995 when he became the highest-level corporate executive in U.S. history to become a Federal Bureau of Investigation whistleblower. He wore a wire for three years whilst at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) where he exposed an international price fixing conspiracy for the FBI. Mr Whitacre served time in federal prison for fraud and tax evasion, however has spoken openly and honestly about his mistakes and subsequent redemption. Shahmir Sanni Shahmir Sanni was a volunteer for Vote Leave, the official pro-Brexit EU referendum campaign, who blew the whistle on electoral malpractice by overspending. Mr Sanni worked with BeLeave, one of Vote Leave’s official youth groups and it was when Vote Leave were close to exceeding electoral spending limits, they used BeLeave to refunnel funds illegally back into their campaign. Mr Sanni’s relationship with one of Vote Leave’s senior directors, Stephen Parkinson, was used to discredit him and in the process out his homosexuality without his consent. Georgina Halford-Hall Chief Executive of WhistleblowersUK, a non-profit organisation that has represented and assisted some of the most important whistleblowers in recent history. Ms Halford-Hall is herself a whistleblower, after exposing financial irregularities and poor practice in a charity and is working towards changing the paradigm and addressing the culture that has resulted in too few whistleblowing disclosures being addressed and too many whistleblowers being retaliated against. Daniel Erikkson Daniel has been an employee with the Swedish government, the United Nations, the European Commission, NGOs and in recent years in leadership roles of publicly listed corporations. Notably he was the country manager for a multinational corporate security services firm in India which provided services including investigations into suspected corruption.

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Education and Social Mobility: what is to be done? At a time when educational disparities risk widening due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s worth asking ourselves the following question: how can we fix education to help those most in need? The issue of how education in the United Kingdom should be arranged has always been a vexed question, with the two major parties diverging on this subject. Is the Tory pitch that grammar and free schools are a force for good, offering greater choice and social mobility a compelling one? Or does the Labour line that this works against efforts to improve the quality of comprehensives, which 90% of students attend, more agreeable? Is there a happy medium between these positions that could be reached? Join us and find out! David Laws The Rt Hon David Laws is the Executive Chairman of the Education Policy Institute, a research institute that aims to promote high quality education outcomes for all children and young people. He previously served as the Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil from 2001 to 2015. As the former Minister of State for Schools from 2012-2015, Mr Laws presided over the Pupil Premium as well as accountability and policy on teachers and leadership. Professor Francis Green Professor Francis Green is a Professor of Work and Education Economics at the UCL Institute of Education. He is the co-author of ‘Engines of Privilege: Britain’s Private School Problem’, a treatise on the independent school system in the UK and a heartfelt appeal against the damage that it does to social mobility, outlining the mechanisms through which privilege persists. Andrew Halls OBE Current headmaster of King’s College School, an independent school in Wimbledon. Prior to this he served as the Master for Magdalen College School, Oxford. His success at both institutions gives him the distinction of being the only Head to win the ‘Sunday Times School of the Year’ award for two different schools. He was awarded an OBE for his services to education in the New Year’s Honours List 2020. Sir Graham Brady Sir Graham Brady is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Altrincham and Sale West, having served in the role since 1997. A staunch defender of Grammar schools, Sir Brady resigned from the frontbench in 2007 over David Cameron’s refusal to support and expand them. Sir Brady also serves as the Chairman of the 1922 Committee, which represents backbench Conservative MPs.

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Behind Closed Doors: Ending Domestic Violence During the first lockdown, calls to the Women’s Aid helpline rose by 43%, whilst calls to the Mankind Initiative rose by 35%. Domestic violence has blighted societies across the world for as long as we can remember and the pandemic has only worsened the situation. So why is the issue surrounded by silence? This panel will ask what we can do to support survivors of domestic abuse and how we can direct conversation to tackle this issue once and for all. Donna Ferrato An internationally acclaimed photojournalist known for her groundbreaking documentation of the hidden world of domestic violence. Her seminal book ‘Living With the Enemy’ sparked a national discussion on sexual violence and women’s rights. Elizabeth Bates A senior lecturer in psychology, her specialist research area is working with male victims of female perpetrated intimate partner violence. She also does work more broadly within the area of domestic violence and abuse. TBC

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Drawing the Dragon: Reporting on China in the 21st Century More than ever before, the future of China is one of the biggest questions facing the world. Yet the global perception of China has long been shaped by journalists’ depiction of Chinese society, culture and politics. As China struggles to enhance its “soft power” in a manner commensurate with its perceived world-power status, what is the role of foreign correspondents and journalism? What are the prisms through which they narrate their tales? Cindy Yu China reporter and broadcast editor at the Spectator. She has written extensively about Chinese society – from marriage to education – and politics. She has previously conducted specialised research on Chinese political propaganda and modern youth opinion. Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian China reporter at Axios, where she writes high-impact investigations, exclusives, and breaking news about China, with a focus on China’s influence in the United States and abroad.

David Barboza Co-founder and a staff writer at The Wire. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting on corruption in the Chinese government, has reported on Apple’s operations in China.

Yuan Yang Deputy Beijing bureau chief for the FT. She was previously China tech correspondent and a Marjorie Dean intern writing about development economics at The Economist.

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Mental Health Panel Bereavement, isolation and fear have increased enormously as a result of the pandemic, causing widespread mental health struggles and the current provisions in place are negligible. What more can and should be done to tackle it? It may be true that suicide rates are lower globally than they have been for decades, but that doesn’t mean that enough support is in place. Talking about the issue can help end the stigma, but is too much talk (even on an Oxford Union panel) without action going to cause greater harm?

Dr Shubulade Smith CBE Shubulade Smith CBE is a British Academic and consultant psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. She is a senior lecturer at King’s College, London and was recently awarded ‘Psychiatrist of the Year’ in 2019. Sir Norman Lamb Sir Norman Peter Lamb is a British Liberal Democrat politician and a solicitor. He was a member of Parliament for North Norfolk from 2001 to 2019 and chair of the Science and Technology Select Committee from 2017 to 2019. Dean Russell Dean Russell is a British Conservative Party politician. He has been a Member of Parliament for Watford since the 2019 general election. He is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary group for Mental Health and a member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee. Munira Wilson Munira Wilson is a British Liberal Democrat politician who was elected as a Member of Parliament for Twickenham at the 2019 general election, succeeding the former Liberal Democrat Leader, Vince Cable. She is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary group for Mental Health. Dr Taiwo Oladele Dr Taiwo Oladele is a clinical psychiatrist at the East London NHS Trust. He has taken an active role in discussions surrounding depression and mental health issues within the ethnic minority community.

One Young World identifies, connects and promotes young changemakers, giving them an unparalleled global platform to lead. For moreHinformation I L A R Y 2visit 0 2 1oneyoungworld.com. | SPECIAL EVENTS Gender Equality: Overcoming the Politics of Exclusion Gender Equality is an insidious global challenge which has yet to be successfully tackled. Despite false narratives of equal opportunity and closing income gaps, a pernicious exclusion of women from political and professional positions of power persists. Equally striking is the lack of tangible progress made on dismantling toxic masculinity and its far reaching consequences. Where have the MeToo and TimesUp movements gone? Has fourth wave feminism focused too narrowly on identity politics and overlooked the global lack of legal, economic and political rights and opportunities that still plague so many communities? This panel will bring together global experts and platform the work and expertise of One Young WorldWorld Ambassadorsyoung leaders wholeaders are on the frontlines of 2000 this challenge One Young is the global forum for young convening over young across globe. onGlobal how we can face this challenge in 2021 leadersthe from over The 196 discussion countries atwill its focus annual Summit to tackle the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most to effectively secure Gender Equality in the180 public arena in the eyes of theoflaw, the pressing challenges. Working with over businesses, a community overin12000 workplace and and in government. young leaders support from heads of state to global icons and business magnates, One Young World identifies, connects and promotes young changemakers, giving them an unparalleled global platform to lead. For more information visit oneyoungworld.com. Gender Equality: Overcoming the Politics of Exclusion Gender Equality is an insidious global challenge which has yet to be successfully tackled. Despite false narratives of equal opportunity and closing income gaps, a pernicious exclusion of women from political and professional positions of power persists. Equally striking is the lack of tangible progress made on dismantling toxic masculinity and its far reaching consequences. Where have the MeToo and TimesUp movements gone? Has fourth wave feminism focused too narrowly on identity politics and overlooked the global lack of legal, economic and political rights and opportunities that still plague so many communities? This panel will bring together global experts and platform the work and expertise of One Young World Ambassadors- young leaders who are on the frontlines of this challenge across the globe. The discussion will focus on how we can face this challenge in 2021 to effectively secure Gender Equality in the public arena in the eyes of the law, in the workplace and in government.

One Young World

14 Irving Street, London, WC2H 7AF T: +44 020 3691 8060 E: info@oneyoungworld.com W: www.oneyoungworld.com Registered office: 10 Queen Street Place, London, EC4R 1BE One Young World UK Trading Limited registered in England no. 08004146

FO RD U OX N

2021

Speakers Each term, the Union hosts influential speakers from a wide range of backgrounds and fields. These events are a chance to hear from - and question - some of the world’s most celebrated figures. This term, our speaker events will largely be held online, though we hope a successful vaccine rollout will allow the resumption of normal events as soon as possible. Please keep an eye on our social media channels, website, and weekly emails for details regarding registering to attend events. Please note that additional speakers may be confirmed after the start of term and that our events are subject to change. We hope you will find something to interest and inspire you this term!

“What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist.” ― Salman Rushie

HILARY 2021

Senator Harry Reid

SPEAKERS

WEEK 1

M O N DAY, 1 8 T H JA N UA R Y, 2 0 : 0 0

Former Senate Majority Leader, Prominent Democrat Reid is a retired American Senator from Nevada; he served the Democratic party for 30 years from 1987 and was the Senate Majority Leader from 2007-2015. Serving under Bush and Obama, he helped pass important legislation including the Affordable Care Act, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to help the country out of the 2008 recession.

TUESDAY, 19TH JA N UA R Y, 1 7 :0 0

Steven Pinker Popular science author ‘Enlightenment Now’ Pinker is a cognitive psychologist, whose work focuses on visual cognition (the perception of our environment) and psycholinguistics. He has contributed strongly to the popularisation of science by notably authoring several books on psychology, such as ‘The Better Angels of our Nature’ and ‘Enlightenment Now’. Steven Pinker was listed in Time’s Most Influential People of 2004 and in Foreign Policy’s 100 Global Thinkers for multiple years over the past two decades. He is currently a Professor of Psychology at Harvard University.

THE OXFORD UNION

WED N ESDAY, 20TH JAN UARY, 1 7 :0 0

Daron Acemoglu Economist - Author of ‘Why Nations Fail’

Acemoğlu is the Elizabeth and James Killian Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He has taught at MIT for over 25 years and is known for his work on Political Economy – he co-authored a highly influential book, ‘Why Nations Fail’, with James Robinson in 2012. Acemoğlu was awarded the John Bates Clark Medal in 2005, as well many other awards throughout his career.

HILARY 2021

SPEAKERS

WEEK 1

FRIDAY, 22N D JAN UARY, 20: 0 0

Amy Chua Yale Law Professor - Tiger mum / Political Tribes

Chua is an American lawyer, academic and writer who currently teaches at Yale Law School. After graduating from Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Chua started practicing corporate law before moving into academia, teaching first at Duke Law School before moving to Yale in 2001. In 2003, Chua published her first book, the New York Times Bestseller ‘World on Fire: How Exporting Free Market Democracy Breeds Ethnic Hatred and Global Instability’. Chua’s third book, ‘Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother’ is a semi-autobiographical book about her childhood and her mother’s strict, Confucianist parenting style. It was an international success, becoming a best seller in the United States, the UK, mainland Europe, China and several other East Asian countries; it has since been translated into over 30 languages.

THE OXFORD UNION

TUESDAY, 26TH JAN UARY, 2 0 :0 0

Jon Sopel BBC North America Editor

Sopel is a British journalist who has been the BBC North America Editor since 2014. In this position, he has reported extensively on the 2016 and 2020 Presidential elections and the Trump administration. Best known for his work as a television correspondent and presenter, he was previously the BBC’s Chief Political Correspondent. During his career, Sopel also covered the 2000 Concorde crash, was BBC’s correspondent in Kuwait City during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and has presented ‘The Politics Show’, the BBC News Channel, and ‘Newsnight’.

HILARY 2021

SPEAKERS

WEEK 2

WED N ESDAY, 27T H JA N UA R Y, 1 7 :0 0

Judge Róbert R. Spanó President of the European Court of Human Rights

Róbert Ragnar Spanó is an Icelandic-Italian judge. He graduated from the University of Iceland in 1997 with a Candidatus Juris degree, going on to be special assistant to the Parliamentary Ombudsman of Iceland from 1998 to 2004. In 2000, he graduated from Oxford with a Magister Juris degree with distinction in European and comparative law. In 2009 he became Parliamentary Ombudsman himself, where he served until 2013 when he joined the European Court of Human Rights, becoming Vice President in 2019 and President in 2020.

THURSDAY, 28T H JA N UA R Y, 1 5 :0 0

Ramachandra Guha Historian of modern India, biographer of Gandhi Guha is an Indian writer and historian. Guha authored an acclaimed two-volume biography of Mahatma Gandhi. In November 2020, he published his new book ‘The Commonwealth of Cricket: A Lifelong Love Affair with the Most Subtle and Sophisticated Game Known to Humankind’; Ramachandra Guha was also actively involved in India’s political life; a vocal dissenter of Prime Minister Modi’s citizenship law that discriminated Muslims, he was arrested in 2019 during a protest.

THE OXFORD UNION

TUESDAY, 2N D FE BR UA R Y, 1 7 :0 0

Ambassador Olof Skoog EU Ambassador to the UN Skoog is a Swedish diplomat, currently serving as European Union Ambassador to the United Nations. He has previously served as Swedish Ambassador to many countries, including Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. Skoog was President of the United Nations Security Council in the months of January 2017 and July 2018, and from 2015 to 2019 served as the Permanent Representative for Sweden to the UN.

THURSDAY, 4 T H FE BR UA R Y, 1 7 :0 0

Nimco Ali OBE Anti-FGM Campaigner Nimco Ali is an FGM survivor, strategist and author. Born in Somaliland, she grew up in the UK. In 2019, she co-founded The Five Foundation, The Global Partnership To End FGM. She also co-founded Daughters of Eve in 2010. Since late 2020 she is also the independent advisor on violence against women and girls for the UK Home Office. During 2019, Nimco was awarded an OBE for her groundbreaking activism. This adds to her long list of achievements to date. Most recently she was named by The Sunday Times as one of Debrettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 500 most influential people in Britain and BBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 100 Women.

HILARY 2021

SPEAKERS

WEEK 3

FRIDAY, 5TH FEBRUARY, 17:0 0

Katherine Parkinson Actress

Best known for playing the technologically clueless head of the IT department in the comedy series, “The IT Crowd”, Parkinson is one of England’s most loved television and theatre actresses. Nominated for the British Comedy Best TV Actress Award and the BAFTA Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance, winning in 2014, Parkinson originally studied classics at St Hilda’s College at Oxford University. After studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Parkinson went on to star in numerous television series and films, starring in films such as “The Boat That Rocked” and “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”. Having performed several times on BBC Radio 4, her performances in plays such as “Home, I’m Darling”, have resulted in nominations for the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Play. Her debut work as a playwright, “Sitting”, had its London premier in 2019, receiving rave reviews. 45

THE OXFORD UNION

MON DAY, 8 T H FE BR UA R Y, 1 7 :0 0

Joseph Nye American Political Scientist Together with Robert Keohane, Nye is the co-founder of the international relations theory of Neoliberalism, which was developed and published in their joint 1977 book, Power and Interdependence. In 1990 Nye wrote Bound to Lead: The Changing Nature of American Power, pioneering the ideas of “Hard Power” vs “Soft Power” in national and international politics. Nye studied for a PhD at Harvard University, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1964, and in 2011 was named on the list of top global thinkers by foreign policy magazine.

M ON DAY, 8 T H FE BR UA R Y, 2 0 :0 0

The Rt Hon. Kim Campbell Former Prime Minister of Canada Campbell is a Canadian politician, lawyer and writer who was the 19th Prime Minister of Canada. She is the first and only woman to hold the position. Previously as Justice Minister, she brought about a new rape law and a rape shield law, cementing her legacy of supporting sexual victims. Campbell has also published an autobiography, ‘Time and Chance’, which became a Canadian bestseller.

HILARY 2021

SPEAKERS

WEEK 4

WED N ESDAY, 10TH FEBRUARY, 1 7 :0 0

Dr Anders Tegnell State epidemiologist of Sweden

Tegnell is a Swedish physician and civil servant. Having served as Sweden’s State Epidemiologist since 2013, he has played a leading role in his country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, with his approach becoming the subject of debate across the world. Previously, as the head of the Infectious Disease Control department at Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare, he played a key role in the Swedish response to the 2009 Swine Flu pandemic.

THE OXFORD UNION

THURSDAY, 11TH JAN UARY, 1 3 :0 0

Rafael Grossi Director General of IAEA

Grossi is an Argentine diplomat. After serving as Ambassador to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia, he was appointed Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA is an agency of the United Nations pursuing the goal of nuclear safety by promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and condemning its use for military purposes. The importance of nuclear disarmament has probably reached its post-Cold War climax. With the United States ending its agreement with Iran, and other nations such as North Korea joining a dangerous race, the IAEAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work is more crucial than ever. Our world is at the brink of fatally disrupting the power balance that allowed global peace. The future of nuclear arms is one of the greatest debates of our political history. Rafael Grossi, as figurehead and ambassador of nuclear peace, will provide the Union with expert insight.

HILARY 2021

Edmund Phelps American Nobel Prize Winning economist Phelps is an American economist currently working at Columbia University in New York where he is the McVickar Professor of Political Economy. In 2001, he founded the Center on Capitalism and Society there and has been its founding director since. He received the 2006 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences and currently focuses on â&#x20AC;&#x153;structural dynamismâ&#x20AC;? in modern economies.

F R I DAY, 1 2 T H F E B R UA R Y, 2 0 : 0 0

Governor Scott Walker

WEEK 4

F R I DAY, 1 2 T H F E B R UA R Y, 1 7 : 0 0

SPEAKERS

Governor of Wisconsin 2011-2019, 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Walker is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019, and was a candidate for the 2016 Republican nomination for President of the United States. Having previously served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and as Executive of Milwaukee county, Walker was chair of the Republican Governors Association from 2016 to 2017. He is the only governor in US history to survive a recall election.

THE OXFORD UNION

MON DAY, 1 5 T H FE BR UA R Y, 2 0 :0 0

Gita Gopinath Chief Economist at the IMF Professor Gopinath is an economics academic who has taught and studied at Harvard, Princeton, Chicago and Delhi, and has been named as one of the world’s top Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine.

WEDNESDAY, 17TH FEBRUARY, 20:00

Elizabeth McGovern Actress McGovern is an American actress and musician most known for her role as Cora Crawley in “Downton Abbey”. For her performance, she has been nominated for an Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award. She also received an Academy Award nomination for her role as Evelyn Nesbit in the 1981 film “Ragtime”. In addition, McGovern is a singer-songwriter and has had successful theatre performances, earning her the 2013 Will Award by the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

HILARY 2021

SPEAKERS

WEEK 5

FRIDAY, 19TH FEBRUARY, 17:0 0

Debra Soh Neuroscientist and Sex and Gender Specialist

Described as a member of the “intellectual dark web” by the New York Times, Soh is a renowned Canadian science columnist, author, political commentator and academic sex researcher. A Recipient of the Michael Smith Foreign Research Award from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and York’s Provost Dissertation Scholarship, Soh’s research indicates that abnormal sexual preferences are results of neurological conditions rather than learned behaviours. Soh has written for Quillette, The Globe and Mail, New York magazine, Playboy, Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal. In 2020, Soh published her first book; “The End of Gender: Debunking the Myths about Sex and Identity in Our Society”.

THE OXFORD UNION

TUESDAY, 2 3 R D FE BR UA R Y, 1 4 :0 0

Kelly Hoppen Interior Designer Often referred to as the ‘Queen of Taupe’, Hoppen is one of Britain’s most celebrated interior designers, known for being a ‘Dragon’ on BBC’s “Dragon’s Den”. Author of nine design books and proprietor of Kelly Hoppen Proprietors, Hoppen has designed homes, yachts and jets for private clients and celebrities, including David and Victoria Beckham, since she was 16 years of age. Being ranked as the second most influential female interior designer in Vogue’s list of 100 Inspirational Women, she has additionally been appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire and Commander of the Order of British Empire for services to interior design and the GREAT campaign. WEDNESDAY, 24TH FEBRUARY, 20:00

Graham Allison Political Scientist Allison is an American political scientist and academic at Harvard University. He has been heavily involved in analysing, criticising and advising national security and defense policy making in the United States most recently on China, authoring ‘Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’ Trap?’. He was a special advisor to the Secretary of Defense (1985–87) and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy and Plans (1993–1994), where he coordinated strategy and policy towards the states of the former Soviet Union.

HILARY 2021

SPEAKERS

WEEK 6

FRIDAY, 26TH FEBRUARY, 17:0 0

Martin Tyler English Football commentator

Tyler is an English football commentator, most well-known for his coverage of the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. After working for ITV in the 1970s and 80s, Tyler has worked as a commentator for Sky Sports since 1990. Tyler regularly publishes articles on Sky Sports website, commonly being regarded as a football and Premier League expert. In 2003, he was voted the FA Premier League Commentator for the Decade. While not working for Sky, Tyler commentates for the Premier League Productions, broadcasting the matches for the Premier Leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s international broadcast partners. Tyler has worked as a football coach for a number of teams managed by Alan Dowson, and currently works as an assistant manager at Woking, National League South.

THE OXFORD UNION

M ON DAY, 1 ST M A R C H , 1 7 :0 0

Jamie Njoku-Goodwin CEO of UK Music Jamie is an experienced campaigner, a communications specialist and a former political adviser who has held senior roles at the highest levels of Government. He most recently worked as a special adviser to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock and was previously a special adviser at DCMS. Before joining the Government, Jamie worked for the election strategist Sir Lynton Crosby and as a political adviser for the Conservative Party. He is a trained pianist and conductor, and sits on the advisory boards of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and English National Opera.

TUESDAY, 2 N D M A R C H , 1 4 :0 0

Roger Hallam Co-Founder of Extinction Rebellion Hallam is an environmentalist and campaigner who co-founded Extinction Rebellion. Formerly an organic farmer, Hallam studied for a PhD in how to achieve social change through civil disobediance at Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College London where he started a campaign to get the university to divest from fossil fuels. The campaign was succesful, resulting in the institution removing a ÂŁ15 million investment in fossil fuel emitting companies and pledging to go carbon neutral by 2025. In 2018, Hallam, Gail Bradbrook and Simon Bramwell founded the climate change pressure group Extinction Rebellion.

HILARY 2021

WEEK 7

TUESDAY, 2N D M ARCH, 18:0 0

SPEAKERS

The Rt Hon. Rory Stewart OBE Former Secretary of State and Deputy Governor in Iraq

Stewart is a British politician who served as Secretary of State for International Development in 2019 and as the Member of Parliament for Penrith and the Border from 2010 to 2019. He was a candidate for the Conservative leadership in 2019, and previously a diplomat and author. Stewart worked for the Foreign Office before leaving to take a two-year walk across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Nepal – writing a best-selling book, ‘The Places in Between’, about his experience, and later serving as a Deputy Governor under the coalition following the invasion of Iraq.

THE OXFORD UNION

WED N ESDAY, 3RD M ARCH, 2 0 :0 0

The Rt Hon. Baroness Evans Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords

Baroness Evans is the Leader of the House of Lords. She is the first occupant of the role for 50 years to serve under two Prime Ministers, and when she joined the House, was the youngest female peer. Before joining the House of Lords, Baroness Evans was the Deputy Director of Policy Exchange and then the Director of the New Schools Network. She has steered through years worth of Brexit legislation, as well as leading the House through the coronavirus response, and has been in charge of passing a wide range of legislation through the Lords, where the Government does not enjoy a majority.

HILARY 2021

SPEAKERS

WEEK 7

THURSDAY, 4TH MARCH, 17:0 0

Joe Wicks MBE Fitness Coach and author

Wicks is a prominent fitness coach, TV presenter, and author. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his ‘PE with Joe’ sessions were an instant hit across the nation, drawing in over a million viewers. Consequently, he was awarded an MBE in the Birthday Honours of 2020 for his efforts. He also runs his own show, ‘The Body Coach’ on Channel Four, and his cookbook ‘Lean in 15: 15-minute Meals’ was a bestseller, selling over a million copies.

THE OXFORD UNION

MON DAY, 8 T H M A R C H , 1 7 :0 0

Matthew Elliott Campaigner and CEO of Vote Leave

Elliott is a prominent political lobbyist and campaigner, best known for being Chief Executive of the Vote Leave campaign. In 2004, Elliott co-founded the lobby group Taxpayer’s Alliance and served as its Chief Executive until 2014. In 2009, he helped establish Big Brother Watch, a think-tank and pressure group opposed to ‘the prevailing climate of authoritarian and intrusive policies being pursued by the British state’. Elliott served as the campaign director for NOtoAV in the 2011 AV referendum before becoming Chief Executive of Vote Leave. He is credited with being one of the key masterminds behind the victorious campaign.

MON DAY, 8T H M A R C H , 2 0 :0 0

The Rt Hon. Lord Giddens English sociologist Lord Giddens currently sits as a Labour Peer in the House of Lords. He was an adviser to former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and notably guided him in the implementation of his “Third Way” centrist policy. He is also one of the most renowned modern sociologists of modern years. Giddens was formerly Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science.

HILARY 2021

SPEAKERS

WEEK 8

TUESDAY, 9TH MARCH, 20:00

Senator Doug Jones Former US Senator from Alabama

Jones is an American politician who served as a US Senator from Alabama from 2018 to 2021. Previously a prosecutor, he was best known for securing the convictions of two Ku Klux Klan members for the 1963 Birmingham Church bombing. Jones became the first Democrat to represent Alabama in the Senate since 1997 after defeating Republican Roy Moore, and was considered a frontrunner for the position of Attorney General in Joe Bidenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administration.

THE OXFORD UNION

WEEK 8

WED N ESDAY, 1 0 T H M A R C H , 1 7 :0 0

Adrian Dunbar Star in Line of Duty Dunbar is an Irish actor and director, best known for his work in television and theatre. Since 2012, he has starred as Superintendent Ted Hastings in BBC One’s show ‘Line of Duty’, a performance for which he won ‘Best Actor’ at the 2019 TV Choice Awards, along with receiving a BAFTA nomination. He has also played roles in ‘The Jump’, ‘Ashes to Ashes’, ‘The Hollow Crown’, and ‘Broken’.

WED N ESDAY, 1 0 T H M A R C H , 2 0 :0 0

Congressman Beto O’Rourke Former Congressman and Presidential Candidate O’Rourke is an American politician. A congressman from Texas from 2013 to 2019, he is best known for his US Senate campaign against Senator Ted Cruz, the runner-up for the 2016 Republican Presidential nomination. His competitive campaign drew national attention, and he won the most votes ever cast for a Democrat in Texas history. O’Rourke was later a candidate for the 2020 Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

HILARY 2021

The Rt Hon. Helen Clark Former Prime Minister of New Zealand & Winning Economist

SPEAKERS

TBC

TO BE CON FIRM E D

Clark led the Fifth Labour Government from 1999 to 2008, serving as New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 37th Prime Minister, being the fifth longest-serving prime minister and second woman to hold the office. In July 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) appointed Clark as co-chair of a panel reviewing the WHOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the response of governments to the outbreak.

TO BE CON FIRM E D

The Rt Hon. Alok Sharma MP President of COP26 and Former Business Secretary Alok Sharma has been the President of the COP26 Climate Change Conference since February 2020. Until recently, he was also the Business Secretary, before stepping down to focus solely on COP26. He has been a Government Minister since 2016, including a stint as International Development Secretary. He has been a cabinet member for three years, holding the office of Minister for Housing, Minister for Employment and Secretary of State for International Development.

THE OXFORD UNION

HILARY 2021

SMASHING THE SILOS

Smashing the silos On Saturdays this term, the Oxford Union will be hosting a new series, attempting to answer the question: What aren’t universities teaching you that they should be? Even science students learn in narrow academic silos but the world is changing faster than ever and these silos increasingly render students unprepared for steps beyond university. This series of talks and panel discussions will focus on those intellectual silos within academia and industry, and on the attempts of different thinkers to breach them. Each Saturday will see the Oxford Union host a set of individual lectures and presentations from field-leading figures, grouped together loosely by overarching theme. Speakers include senior academics like David Krakauer and Doyne Farmer who have forged successful interdisciplinary careers; AI experts from the interdisciplinary Future of Humanity, Leverhulme, Oxford Internet and Ethics in AI Institutes (bringing the four centres together in public conversation for the first time); and entrepreneur Patrick Collinson with his collaborator, academic Tyler Cowen, on the proposal of a new Progress Studies focusing on the productivity paradox. Ranging from high-level discussion of how silos emerge to applied examples from groups driving interdisciplinary cooperation around particular topics, this promises to be a series to remember. “Do you know that one of the great problems of our age is that we are governed by people who care more about feelings than they do about thoughts and ideas.” ― Salman Rushdi

THE OXFORD UNION

How university funding structures shape narrow disciplines, and how to challenge them

Saturday 30th January Check our Facebook page and website for timings for the day Our opening Saturday focuses on the history of how the current model of university departments developed; how that development impacts academics seeking to do interdisciplinary work; and how different academics have managed to pursue interdisciplinary projects regardless. With lectures by speakers including: Professor David Krakauer President of the Santa Fe Institute

Professor Doyne Farmer Director of Complexity Economics at the Oxford Martin School

Professor David Edgerton Hans Rausing Professor of the History of Science & Technology at Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College London

HILARY 2021

SMASHING THE SILOS

Silos in industry and the power of decentralisation

Saturday 13th February Check our Facebook page and website for timings for the day Professional licensing and intellectual property law helps shape silos of knowledge and skill within the labour market. On this Saturday, a range of different thinkers explore how inevitable this is, and whether there might be a better way. With lectures by speakers including: Professor David Levine Department of Economics and Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Study Joint Chair at the European University Institute

Professor Irene Ng Turing Fellow and CEO of Dataswift

Dr Anton Howes Historian in Residence at the RSA

Professor Glen Parry Professor of Digital Transformation at the University of Surrey

THE OXFORD UNION

The state of interdisciplinarity in AI

Saturday 27th February Check our Facebook page and website for timings for the day Artificial Intelligence is a technology that promises to reshape a huge portion of our world. Across the UK there are now four excellent centres dedicated to pulling together thinkers from different disciplines to think about and understand the implications for our world. This Saturday brings representatives from each centre together in public conversation for the first time. With presentations by academics from the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, Oxford Internet Institute, Oxford Institute for Ethic in AI & The Centre for the Future of Humanity, including:

Professor Sandra Wachter Senior Research Fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute

Dr Carina Prunkl Fellow at the University of Oxfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Institute for Ethics in AI

Dr Jeffrey Ding China lead for the Centre for the Governance of AI

Dr Jess Whittlestone Senior Research Associate at the Leverhulme Centre for the Study of Existential Risk

HILARY 2021

SMASHING THE SILOS

Interdisciplinary approaches to growth and innovation

Saturday 6th March Check our Facebook page and website for timings for the day Economists have sometimes been prone to treat innovation as manna from heaven, studying its impacts but not how it comes about. This Saturday looks at what economists have to learn from the study of science, business and demography, to better understand competition, trade, growth and the long-term development of our economy. This day is being delivered in partnership with the International Center for Law and Economics. With lectures by speakers including: Professor Vernon Smith 2002 Nobel Prize Winner for contributions to behavioural economics

Dr Robert Atkinson President of the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation

Emeritus Professor Charles Goodhart The developer of Goodhartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Law

THE OXFORD UNION

Progress Studies: the systematic study of human progress

Saturday 13th March Check our Facebook page and website for timings for the day Progress Studies is the name of an emerging school of thought dedicated to the systematic study of change in the economy, science and society. Its questions cut across disciplines, seeking to understand what makes progress happen, and how it can be speeded up. This day is being delivered in partnership with Works In Progress, a group of academics and entrepreneurs who are actively working to advance Progress Studies as a field of study. With lectures by speakers including: Professor Tyler Cowen Host of wide-ranging blog Marginal Revolution

Patrick Collison Co-founder and CEO of Stripe

Professor Steven Pinker Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard University

HILARY 2021

SMASHING THE SILOS

What can and cannot be asked; the development of taboos

Saturday 20th March Check our Facebook page and website for timings for the day On our last Saturday, we focus less on the formal silos that we see at universities and in the marketplace, and more on the silos in thought that determine what can and cannot be said or asked. We bring together a broad range of thinkers and activists, from biologists to gender theorists, to interrogate how we can be better going forwards at bringing together insights from different fields to challenge the prevailing taboos of the day. With lectures by speakers including: Professor Janet Radcliffe-Richards Professor of Practical Philosophy at the University of Oxford

Dr Francesca Minerva Founder of the Journal of Controversial Ideas

Professor Peter Singer Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University

FO RD U OX N

2021

Information Homer Simpson: ‘Aww, 20 Dollars? I wanted a peanut.’ Homer’s Brain: ‘20 Dollars can buy many peanuts.’ Homer: ‘Explain how!’ Homer’s Brain: ‘Money can be exchanged for goods and services.’ Homer: ‘Woohoo!’

HILARY 2021

INFORMATION

Competitive Debating Debating at the Union isn’t reserved for Thursday nights. The Union’s competitive debating squad is one of the largest and most successful in the world. This year, an Oxford team won the World Universities Debating Championships, with one speaker claiming the Top Speaker prize and multiple teams qualifying for the semi-finals. Oxford Debating offers something for every level, from total novices to world champions, and will be taking place virtually this Hilary. For those new to debating, our Beginners Workshops run every Sunday evening over Zoom and are open to all members. These workshops consist of a presentation designed to target specific debating skills, and practice debates which are judged by some of Oxford’s most experienced and successful debaters. If you haven’t debated before, they’re the perfect place to start. For those with a bit more experience, our Intermediate and Advanced squads run every week also on Zoom; where our coaches provide a one-on-one development and strengthening programme.

We don’t just practice debating at Oxford; we also fully fund teams of both novices and experienced debaters to attend competitions nationally and internationally, many of which will still take place this term online. Finally, we host the Oxford IV, one of the largest debating competitions in Europe, the Oxford Wom*n’s and Gender Minorities’ Open, and organise a schools competition that takes place across the country. If you have any further questions, or want to sign up for workshops and squads, please contact the Chair of the Debate Selection Committee, Andrew Chen: cdsc@oxford-union.org. To sign up to the mailing list for regular updates - including information on weekly trainings and how to apply for tournaments - send a blank email to debate-announcesubscribe@maillist. ox.ac.uk, and take a look at the Oxford Debating Facebook Page and Oxford Debaters Facebook Group.

THE OXFORD UNION

Treasurer’s Treats Make the most of your membership with our exclusive offers - simply present your membership card at the establishment to take advantage. If you would like to suggest a new Treat, or experience any issues using the discounts listed, please contact the Treasurer, Kesaia Toganivalu, at treasurer@oxford-union.org. RESTAURANTS Alchemist Ask Italian

- 10% discount on food - 25% discount (Mon-Thu any time, Fri before 16:00) Bamboo - 10% discount Bella Italia - 30% discount (Mon-Wed) Benito’s Hat - 20% discount (Sun-Fri) Cafe Rouge - 40% discount (a la carte menu only) Carluccio’s - 20% discount (excluding set menu) Cinnamon Kitchen - 30% discount (Sun-Thu) 2 classic cocktails for £10 (Sun-Thu) Cote Brasserie - Complimentary Kir Royale when dining Dirty Bones - 25% off food, £5 signature cocktails all day/night (Sun-Thur) Fusion House - 10% discount (over £20, cash only) Moshi - 15% discount (after 15:00) Neds Noodle Box - £8.25 Box & Drink (£7.30 Vegetarian Box & Drink) Pho - 15% discount off Food (2 people max) Pieminister - 10% discount Pizza Pilgrims - £10 pizza and a drink (Mon-Fri) Salt ‘n’ Sauce - 20% discount Taste of China - 10% discount (Mon-Fri 14:00-16:00) Thaikhun - 20% discount (Sun-Thu) Tommi’s Burger Joint - 25% discount Turl Street Kitchen - 15% discount (after 12:00) Victors - 20% discount (Sun-Fri) BARS Angels Be At One Duke of Cambridge Duke of Monmouth Jude The Obscure Raoul’s Royal Standard The House The Oxford Wine Cafe

- 20% discount - £5 Cocktails (Sun-Thu) - Oxford Union Cocktail Menu, Happy Hour prices (Sun–Thu) - 10% discount on purchases up to £20 - 10% discount on purchases up to £20 - 30% discount (16:00–20:00) - 10% discount on purchases up to £20 - Happy Hour available AT ALL TIMES - 10% discount

CAFÉS & DELICATESSENS Artisan Cafe Barefoot

- 10% discount - 15% off cakes & hot drinks (exc. Mon-Fri, 14:00-18:00) Common Ground Cafe & Workspace - 15% discount Fantastea - 20% discount Formosan Tea Bar - 10% discount iScream Gelateria - 10% discount Le Pain Quotidien - 10% discount Mamma Mia (Jericho) - 15% discount Modern Art Oxford Cafe - 10% discount Moo-Moo’s - 10% discount Ole & Steen - 10% discount Opera Cafe - 5% discount Organic Deli - 15% discount Oxford Sandwich Company - 5% discount Paul - 20% discount Queen’s Lane Coffee House - 20% discount over £5 Rickety Press - 10% discount Rusty Bicycle - 10% discount on food (Mon-Friday) Skogen Kitchen £4.50 for a Takeaway Coffee and Bun Sofi de France - 15% discount, 20% if over £20 (excl Sat) Tick Tock Cafe - 10% discount Up in Arms 10% discount on food (Mon-Friday) Vaults & Garden Cafe - 10% discount (excl. 12:00–14:00), 20% food discount (Mon-Fri, after 14:00)) Western Cornwall Pasty - 20% discount SHOPS & OTHERS Burrows & Hare - 10% discount Ede & Ravenscroft - 15% off full price mens & womens wear (excl academic or legal dress) until end of term in Oxford branch The Fragrance Shop - 10% discount Happy Cakes - 15% discount Popham Hairdressing - 15% discount with stylist, Monday-Friday Randolph - 5% discount on food and soft drinks in our Morse Bar, restaurant, and afternoon tea room (Mon – Thurs) T M Lewin - 15% discount The Oxford Wine Company - 10% discount Ultimate Picture Palace - 2 for 1 on Tuesday Western Computer Group - 10% discount on Mac, 5% discount on iPad WHSmith - 20% discount on books, stationery, cards

HILARY 2021

INFORMATION

THE OXFORD UNION

Public Speaking Workshop Every term, we hold comprehensive public speaking workshops run by some of our most experienced debaters – this term, these will take place on Zoom. These workshops are designed to develop not only members’ debating ability, but a range of transferable skills - from constructing an argument to delivering a speech as effectively as possible. Most popular are our Wom*n’s Workshops, run by and open to all self-identifying female and non-binary members, and our ESL

Workshops, for those who speak English as a second language. This term we will also be running Post-Graduate Workshops, especially for our post-graduate members. These sessions are designed to be casual and accessible to those with no experience of public speaking or debating, and will be advertised by email and on our Oxford Debating Facebook page.

Library The Oxford Union Library is one of the best lending libraries in Oxford, as well as being home to world famous Pre-Raphaelite murals. While the library will be closed along with the rest of our buildings at the start of this term, our Librarian-in-Charge will be running a click and collect approach for accessing books.

If you are interested in getting involved in the running of the Library, please contact the Librarian at librarian@oxford-union.org for information on joining the Library Committee, which meets at 2:15PM every Monday during term.

HILARY 2021

INFORMATION

The Membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Bar Whilst Oxford remains in Tier 4, the bar will unfortunately be closed. Please check our social media channels and website for updates as term progresses. There are few places in central Oxford that rival the Membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Bar in terms of elegance and affordability. Members and their guests can enjoy high-quality food and drink with a 25% discount.

In normal times, the bar is typically open longer and later than most college bars and pubs, and the bar remains one of the largest bar spaces in central Oxford. It is usually where our pub quizzes are hosted during term and where the results of our debates are announced by the President. If you have any questions or suggestions about the bar, feel free to get in touch with our House Manager, Bridget Gaughan, at housemanager@ oxford-union.org.

THE OXFORD UNION

How to get involved Run for Election Each term, elections are held for committee and Officer positions on Friday of 7th Week. Candidates who are successful in these elections assist in inviting speakers and arranging debates for the following term, and undertake a range of other responsibilities depending on their position. If you would like to run in this term’s election, please look out for further details, come to the How To Get Involved workshop held later in term, or contact the Returning Officer on ro@oxford-union.org.

Apply for an Appointed Position A number of positions at the Union are appointed directly by the President, including Press, Sponsorship, Logistics, and Liberation Officers. All appointees assist over the vacation in inviting speakers and arranging debates. Applications for Hilary Term’s appointed committee will open towards the end of term and will be advertised on our Facebook page and mailing list. For more information, please contact the President-Elect, Adam Roble, at president-elect@oxford-union.org.

Find Out More If you would like to learn more, we’ll be hosting a How To Get Involved workshop later in term covering everything you need to know about getting involved with the Union’s committees, appointed positions, and elected roles. Please do come along if you’re interested!

Join a Committee All committee meetings are open to members to attend and observe. If you are interested in becoming a member of any of these committees, email the relevant committee chair and they will send you all the necessary information.

Learn to Debate The Oxford Union offers training in competitive debating for a range of abilities. If you are interested in getting involved, get in touch with the CDSC, Andrew Chen, at cdsc@oxford-union.org.

HILARY 2021

INFORMATION

Committees Standing Committee Chair – James Price, President The Standing Committee, the Union’s governing body, makes all the society’s most important decisions and recommends rules changes to the House. Monday, 16:00

Library Committee

Finance Committee Chair – Kesaia Toganivalu, Treasurer The Finance Committee scrutinises the Union’s finances and reports its findings to the Standing Committee. Monday, 15:30

Bar Strategy Committee

Chair – Chengkai Xie, Librarian The Library Committee is responsible for the Library’s overall management and decides which new books the Library purchases. Monday, 14:15

Chair – Aditya Dabral, Secretary The Bar Strategy Committee oversees the management of the Bar, and makes decisions regarding its stocks, budgets, and furnishings. Contact the Secretary, Aditya Dabral, for details.

Consultative Committee

Debate Selection Committee

Chair – Dara Sanwal, CCC The Consultative Committee gives you the opportunity to ask questions to the sitting officials of the Union and decides the motion for that week’s Emergency Debate. Monday, 13:15

Chair – Andrew Chen, CDSC Debate Selection Committee manages the Union’s competitive debating wing: arranging training and competitions. Contact the CDSC, Andrew Chen, for details.

Access Officer Chair – Melanie Onovo, Access Officer The Access Committee is responsible for promoting the inclusion of underrepresented groups, by planning events and suggesting changes. Friday, 13:00

THE OXFORD UNION

The Oxford Union Committee

President James Price

Librarian Chengkai Xie

Treasurer Adi Kesaia Toganivalu

Secretary Aditya Dabral

President-Elect Adam Roble

Librarian-Elect Molly Mantle

Treasurer-Elect Viren Shetty

CCC Dara Sanwal

Standing Committee

MichaelAkolade Ayodeji

Kamran Ali

Thea Drinkall

Benedict Yorston

Parth Gosalia

Joe Lawler

Serene Singh

Secretaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Committee

Larissa P. Sidarto

Ahmad Nawaz

William Feasey

Manuel Fieber

Eu Ro Wang

Ayesha Khan

Daniel-Paul Osahon

Oscar Bian Ce

Francesco Coppola

Sharon Chau

Rachel Ojo

HILARY 2021

INFORMATION

Appointed Officials & Staff

Chief of Staff Arjun Bhardwaj

Director of Press Aurora Guerrini

Director of Operations James Halsall

Director of Sponsorship Ananya Chowdhury

Director of Digital Operations Jack McClure

Access Officer (Senior) Access Officer (Junior) Disabilities Officer Ethnic Minorities Officer Graduate Officer International Officer LGBTQIA+ Officer Socioeconomic Officer Temporary Membership Officer Women’s Officer Logistics Officers

Melanie Onovo Theo Sergiou Daniel Dipper Rohan Oyewole Lauren Spohn Ali Arsalan Pasha Katarina Petrovic Caitlin Murray Asta Breedveld Shreya Rajani Genevieve Warner, Larissa Koerber, Jack Olsburgh, Olivia Molesworth, Jessica Krejcie, Myles Alexander-Bryan Press Officers Anton Fedotov, Charlie Mackintosh, Liberty Hunter, Will Atkinson, Daniel Ogoloma, Bea Jonite Sponsorship Officers Milo Mallaby, Diego Mata, Kabir Mehta, Simran Gandhi, Olga Kotova CCS Santiago Bedoya-Pardo Invitations Officers Declan Nelson, Isaac Powers, Sanya Rajpal Emeritus Fellows James Lawson, Rolf Merchant, Barrie Davies, Kate Davies First lady Madeline Waluigi Grant Senior Counsel Sam Barker Graphic Designer Maria Lambert, www.graphicsbymaria.co.uk

Staff Bursar House Manager Librarian-in-Charge Events Manager Accounts Manager

Trustees Lindsey Warne Bridget Gaughan Thomas Corrick Joanne Morgan Rob Phillips

Stephen Dixon Hon. Peter Jay Dr Jeya Wilson Sean Power, Senior Librarian Dr Tim Myatt, Senior Treasurer 79

THE OXFORD UNION

SUMMARY OF AUDITED ACCOUNTS SUMMARY OF INCOME & EXPENDITURE for year ended 30 June 2020 2019-20 Actual

2018-19 Actual

2019-20 Budget

INCOME Subscriptions Gen Activities Library Income Bank Intrst Rec'd Standing Committee Income Function Income Bar income (Inc Food) Trading Subsidiary Income (OUL) HMRC online incentives HMRC CJRS Income Rates Relief

564,332 195,300 5,660 5,354 137,804 174,295 65,478 107,149 4,000 35,212 25,000

214,365 8,475 1,550 154,095 249,000 110,000 113,950 -

1,319,584

EXPENDITURE Administration Trading Items Establishment Expenses Library Expenditure Bank Charges & Exchange Depreciation, sale of assets Standing Committee Expenditure Functions Expenditure Bar Expenditure (Inc Food) Trading Subsidiary Expenses (OUL)

645,861 205,797 4,561 4,809 147,116 209,680 101,406 110,846 3,000

611,991

297,519 1,549 250,740 151,674 9,708 8,059 273,068 92,236 86,773 109,801

268,533 -417 216,262 147,222 8,854 12,197 280,727 101,440 88,408 131,421

292,304 1,200 334,272 156,223 14,090 321 307,576 142,591 109,081 115,500

1,281,127 OLDUT account expnd OLDUT account income Transfer to designated funds

-11,327 15,743 -30,000

SURPLUS FOR YEAR before taxation

12,873

Taxation Net Surplus after Taxation Accumulated Deficit b/f Accumulated surplus carried forward

1,433,076

1,463,426

1,254,647

1,473,158

10,500

-39,476 60,766 -180,000

768

19,719

11,661

8,111

1,212

11,608

38,003

26,395

39,215

38,003

BALANCE SHEET as at 30 June 2020 2019-20 F'hold Prprty & Tngbl Assets Current Assets Current Liabilities

Net Assets

2018-19

179,209 1,499,652 -311,799

186,196 1,458,536 -308,882

1,811,451

1,767,418

1,990,660

1,953,614

162,000 69,215 1,135,847

162,000 38,003 1,135,847

1,367,062

1,335,850

Financed by: Revaluation Reserve Accumulated Surplus Designated Funds Total (Subject to tax changes)

The full statement of the audited accounts will be available for Members' inspection in the General Office, by arrangement

Farewell to the bursar There is one more person who needs to be thanked. The show must go on, and for the last two decades, the show has been kept going thanks to one woman, Lindsey Warne, known the world over as Bursar. This term will be the Bursarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last and she will be leaving the Union on 31st March 2021. Lindsey first assumed this role in 1999 and over 21 years she has worked with more than 60 Presidents, providing invaluable support and assistance to us all. We are all sad to lose Lindsey. Her service to the Union has been exemplary. Lindsey is and always will be a champion of the Union and the benefits that free and stimulating debate can achieve nationally and internationally. So, on behalf of all the Presidents, Officers, Committee, Members, Staff and friends with whom Lindsey has worked over all these years, I take this opportunity to thank her for all her work and to wish her every good fortune in all her future endeavours.

President’s Thanks “I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph, and there is purpose and worth to each and every life.”

― Ronald Reagan Having waited 10 years to write this, I’ve no intention of being brief. The first thanks obviously have to go to Jesus, Cicero and Margaret Thatcher; any decent ideas I may have are theirs; my flaws, alas, remain my own. And more thanks to John O’Connell, to the ex-Librarian St. Peter’s College, and to the Lord Privy Seal, for proving that there is life (and a career) both after and before the Union. Those of you who don’t really engage with the Union will sadly never see the unbelievable dedication that the place is lucky enough to receive from so many people, and no one exemplifies that better than Chengkai Xie, my affable and indomitable Librarian. The same can also be said of the rest of the staff, the senior officers and my wonderful committee, some of whom like, Bridget, Tim, Jack and Ananya I’ve been lucky enough to work with before, and others, like Sean, Molly (for being vibey), Viren, Adi, Aurora, James, Tamzin, Kesaia, Dara, Melanie, and definitely Arjun, who have all astonished me with their passion and ideas. You’ve all earned your places on the James Price Internship Scheme! Speaking of interns, thank you to Roble, the Boy Wonder himself, Roble. I’m sure you’ll shake off your terrible schooling and blow us all away with what you do next term (I thought I’d need to include your name twice to make sure you paid attention). And a special thanks to Beatrice, who was more helpful, more insightful and far more decent and caring than she had any obligation to be. She will be the boss of us all one day. Thank you to Izzy Westbury for slating me nearly a decade ago - this remains partially your fault! My undying gratitude to Rob Natzler, James Kingston and Sam Bowman for putting together a mindbogglingly impressive series of events just because you thought it was fun and interesting. The world needs more people like you. To my crack team of ‘Get Price Done’ loons; Chloe and Sam Barker (not least for saving my life and reminding me that it was worth living), Rolf Merchant, Danny Hayward, James Lawson, Rob Dougans, Ella Robertson, Sheridan Westlake OBE, Ollie Linch (it really IS all your fault) and my partner-in-crime, Madeline Waluigi Grant (weee dooo); truly my life is nothing without you all. And to my family; William, Isobel, Harry, and Amelia for showing that the future is brighter even than the present. To my siblings, aunts, and uncles for showing that it truly takes a village to raise a President! And finally, as always, to my mum and dad, whose story of immense sacrifices and hardships has never diminished their determination to care more deeply and love more fiercely than anyone else on this earth. It’s all for you. James Price President, Hilary 2021

Ps. Fuck depression - it always lies x

Events subject to change without notice

Term Planner

Debates

Sunday

Monday

Steven Pinker: 17:00

Jon Sopel: 20:00

Hao Wu: 20:00

Olof Skoog: 17:00

JAN 31

FEB 2

FEB 8

FEB 9

Kim Campbell: 20:00

FEB 7

Education Panel: 15:00

FEB 1 Joseph Nye: 17:00

Gita Gopinath: 20:00

FEB 14

FEB 15

FEB 21

FEB 28

MARCH 1 Matthew Elliott: 17:00

9th

FEB 22 Jamie Njoku-Goodwin: 17:00

FEB 16 Kelly Hoppen: 14:00

JAN 26

JAN 25

JAN 24

JAN 19

JAN 18

JAN 17

Tuesday

Harry Reid: 20:00

Special Events

FEB 23 Roger Hallam: 14:00 Rory Stewart OBE: 18:00

MARCH 2 Doug Jones: 20:00

Lord Giddens: 20:00

MARCH 7

MARCH 8

MARCH 9

MARCH 14

MARCH 15

MARCH 16

£5

Speakers

Smashing the silos

Wednesday

Thursday

Daron Acemoglu: 17:00

Privacy Debate: 19:00

Saturday

Amy Chua: 20:00

JAN 23

JAN 22

JAN 21

JAN 20 Róbert R. Spanó: 17:00

Friday

Ramachandra Guha: 15:00

University Funding

Experts Debate: 19:00

The City Panel: 17:00

Nimco Ali OBE: 17:00

Katherine Parkinson: 17:00

NHS Debate: 19:00

Anders Tegnell: 17:00

Rafael Grossi: 13:00

Edmund Phelps: 17:00

Whistleblowing Panel: 20:00

Religion Debate: 19:00

Scott Walker 20:00

Domestic Violence Panel: TBC Elizabeth McGovern: 20:00

Cancel Culture Debate: 19:00

Graham Allison: 20:00

Scotland Debate: 19:00

FEB 25

FEB 24 Baroness Evans: 20:00

MARCH 3 Adrian Dunbar: 17:00

Joe Wicks: 17:00 No Confidence Debate: 19:00

MARCH 4

FEB 13

China Panel: 14:00 Debra Soh: 17:00

FEB 18

FEB 17

Private Sector Silos

FEB 12

FEB 11

FEB 10

FEB 6

FEB 5

FEB 4

FEB 3

JAN 30

JAN 29

JAN 28

JAN 27

FEB 19 Interdisciplinarity in AI

Martin Tyler: 17:00

FEB 27

FEB 26 Mental Health Panel: 17:00

MARCH 5

Growth & Innovation

MARCH 6 Human Progress

Civil War Debate: 19:00

Beto O’Rourke: 20:00

MARCH 10

MARCH 11

MARCH 12

MARCH 13 The Development of Taboos

MARCH 17

MARCH 18

MARCH 19

MARCH 20