Year in Review: Stephenson Ideas

Year in Review:

Stephenson Ideas

Michaelmas Term 2021 saw the launch of our flagship Stephenson Ideas talk series, which has seen an excellent range of speakers coming into College on a Monday evening. Each talk aims to inspire, challenge and develop the intellectual curiosity of our students. The talk series features motivational and inspiring speakers with a story to tell, sometimes academic in nature, sometimes not, but always providing an opportunity to discuss innovative and engaging topics. The talks are accessible to all. Speakers this year have included research scientist Dr John Topping as well as Carol Botten, CEO of Voluntary Organisations Network North East. Stephenson Ideas also hosted Stephan Roman CMG who explored “Russia and Britain - two countries doomed by history always to mistrust each other?” We were delighted to host Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the UK Environment Agency in November 2021. Sir James delivered our Stephenson Ideas COP 26 Keynote Lecture followed by an interactive Q&A session. For our post-COP 26 talk, Professor Jon Gluyas, Executive Director of Durham Energy Institute delivered an interesting talk on decarbonisation in the UK. At the end of November, we have welcomed Assistant Professor Elizabeth Evans who focused on myth busting around eating disorders and Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation who delivered an inspiring talk on how we can achieve a mentally healthy society. In Epiphany Term 2022 we hosted Rob Bell, CEO of Graydon Lloyd and Visiting Fellow of Durham University Business School, who shared his insights on business development and logistics in the context of developing markets. Following on from this, Stephenson Ideas and The Durham Leaders Think Tank hosted a workshop focusing on ways to be a good leader and the value of unconventional leadership styles. The workshop was delivered by Mike Barton, the unconventional Chief Constable who turned Durham Constabulary into the best police force in the country. Our final guest speaker of the year was Andrew Feinstein, former member of the African National Congress (ANC) and former South African MP in Nelson Mandela’s government. Andrew’s talk focused on Britain’s involvement in the war in Yemen and was attended by over 100 staff and students from across the University. A great way to round off the year!

Each talk aims to inspire, challenge and develop the intellectual curiosity of our students.