The Debating Matters partnership project for schools, the Global Uncertainties Schools Network, in association with the Research Councils UK, kicked off with a fantastic day of debate and discussion at its first event at Graveney School in London on 3 March, culminating with a public ‘Question Time’ style discussion which included Sir Lawrence Freedman, Professor of War Studies and Vice-Principal, Kings College; Sadiq Khan, Labour MP for Tooting and Minister for Transport; Brendan O’Neill, Editor, spiked; George Pitcher, Religion Editor, Daily Telegraph; and Zoe Williams, Columnist, Guardian.

Students from Graveney School, Chestnut Grove School, Dunraven School and Ashcroft Technology Academy engaged in high level debate about religion, belief and ideology throughout the day. They welcomed the opportunity ‘to consider other views in detail’ and have their views ‘challenged’, whilst members of the public appreciated hearing an ‘interesting range of views from opinionated, but well informed, public thinkers’. Five similar events, covering these and other issues, such as terrorism and cyber-security, will take place in Sheffield, Bushey, Blackburn, Folkestone, and Bristol over the coming weeks.

Debating Matters schools are invited to attend the forthcoming public ‘Question Time’ events, which all take place in the evenings after school.

Question Time Event on Terrorism
Monday 15 March
18:00-20:00
University of Sheffield, in association with Silverdale School

Panelists include: Dennis Hayes, Professor of Education, University of Derby and founder of Academics for Academic Freedom; David Harsent, novelist, screenwriter and winner of the Forward Prize for ‘Legion’; Kim Knott , Professor of Religious Studies, University of Leeds and Director of AHRC’s Diasporas, Migration and Identities programme; Dr Rhiannon Vickers, Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Sheffield and co-author of ‘Blair’s War: the road to Basra’

Question Time Event on Terrorism
Tuesday 16 March
19:00-21:00
Queens School, Bushey

Panelists include: Inayat Bunglawala, journalist and Chair, Muslims4UK; John Fitzpatrick, Professor of Law, University of Kent and Director, Kent Law Clinic; Richard Harrington, Conservative candidate, Watford and Chairman, Executive Board, Conservative Friends of Israel; Humphrey Hawksley, BBC World Affairs Correspondent and author of ‘Democracy Kills: what’s so good about having the vote?’; Minette Marrin, columnist, The Sunday Times

Question Time Event on Ideologies & Beliefs
Monday 22 March
19:00-21:00
Redland Green School, Bristol

Panelists include: Riazat Butt, Religious Affairs Correspondent, Guardian; Dr Bob Brecher, Founder, Centre for Applied, Philosophy, Politics & Ethics, University of Brighton; Dr James Panton, Politics Tutor, St John’s College, University of Oxford and Convenor, Manifesto Club.

For details of these and later events see the Global Uncertainties website.

FURTHER HELP

If you are interested in attending any of these events, or would like to find out more about the Global Uncertainties Schools Network, contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Project Coordinator.