Harold Wilson Lecture series
In honour of our first Chancellor, the Prime Minister, Lord Harold Wilson of Rievaulx, and of his great foresight in setting up a technology university, we initiated the prestigious Harold Wilson Lecture Series in 2016.
We recognised Harold in our 50th year by inviting a high-profile speaker from the world of politics to the University.
'Harold Wilson: Statesman and Visionary' with speaker Rt Hon. Alan Johnson
Harold Wilson was a popular Prime Minister whose approval rating rarely fell below 58%. However, from the moment he left office his reputation has been sullied with the claim that he was, above all else, a ‘devious’ politician. Alan Johnson, Former Labour MP, believes that to be a totally unfair accusation, this lecture sought to present a portrait of a principled and astute politician who fully deserved the public affection he enjoyed.
The challenges of running a low-carbon electricity grid with Dorothy Thompson
There is a wide consensus that the future of the UK power system lies in low-carbon, renewable, power and that we need to deliver change quickly.
Achieving a genuinely low carbon grid is far more complicated than it sounds. Keeping the lights on needs a mix of different technologies with a range of qualities and attributes. We can’t simply knock down the fossil fuelled generators and build new wind farms and solar parks. To make a success of a very low carbon world, we need a holistic approach that fundamentally changes the way electricity is generated, supplied and used.
Dorothy Thompson, former Chief Executive of Drax Group, explained the challenges and what Drax Group is doing to rise to them.
1975, 2016 & Beyond with Rachel Reeves
Rachel Reeves was elected Member of Parliament for Leeds West in May 2010 and has served as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Party. =
In 1975, Harold Wilson headed a divided party and a country facing multiple crises. The question of Europe came to the fore. Wilson responded by holding a referendum, which delivered a resounding victory for Remain.
In 2016, David Cameron found himself at the head of a divided party and country. When the question of Europe came to the fore, he responded by holding a referendum. This time a marginal victory for Leave plunged Britain into a political crisis, deepened the country's divisions, and has left Britain's relationship with the rest of the world more uncertain than ever.
In this lecture, Rachel discussed the similarities between 1975 and 2016 and the lessons that could be learned from Harold Wilson.
Britain and the World after Brexit with Hilary Benn
Brexit represents the biggest change in the UK's international relationships since the end of the Second World War. Hilary Benn, Labour MP for Leeds South since 1999, explored what this meant for our role and influence in a world that faces the great challenges of conflict, climate change and sustainable economic development.
'The power of decision makers' with Baroness Ann Taylor
In an uncertain and changing world, and where solutions to some of the world’s most intractable challenges are increasingly urgent, Baroness Ann Taylor, one of The Labour Party’s most experienced politicians, discussed the power of decision makers to facilitate these solutions.
Drawing on her own background and experiences of higher education and politics, Baroness Taylor explored the important place of higher education in empowering people to make a real difference and create positive impact in the world.
