Festival
On Campus
Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
The Politics and International Relations Festival is an annual series of events held by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences for anyone interested in how politics shape our lives.
The festival celebrates research highlighting how the world of politics and international relations enables us to understand and tackle issues like conflict, war, inequality, poverty and government decisions on education, health, and economic development. But we also explore the skills that students of politics and international relations will acquire as part of their degree studies and the career opportunities that will be available to them once they have completed their degree.
Come join us as we discuss some of the world’s most challenging political issues of the day and explore the acquired skills and opportunities of a politics and international relations degree.
Sessions
Date & Time: Monday 11th November 13:30 - 14:30
Location: Calverley Building, City Campus (CL 303)
Is International Relations a science of rational actors and predictable mechanisms, or are global events shaped by more human processes? Can we understand international relations through understanding how we narrate and frame events?
In this session, academic and author Dr Kathryn Starnes talks about her work exploring how folklore, fairy tales and mythology can illuminate the often-overlooked ways that narrative and storytelling shapes global politics.
Please note: Open for Leeds Beckett students only.
Date & Time: Tuesday 12th November, 11:00 - 12:30
Location: Calverley Building, City Campus (CL310)
Dr Paul White's presentation will focus upon the potential impact of AI technologies on patterns of inequality, both in the UK and globally. It will look at issues including job displacement and impact on employment patterns; ownership of, and unequal access to, AI technologies and their potential benefits; and the potential for biased AI systems to exacerbate existing inequalities and power relationships within society. It will go on to explore the potential for the AI revolution to undermine the very foundations of the global capitalist system itself, and ask whether such a development might lead to a new era of human emancipation, or to a global dark age for the masses of humanity.
Please note: Open for Leeds Beckett students only.
Date & Time: Tuesday 12th November, 14:00 - 15:30
Location: Calverley Building , City Campus (CL 310)
A play on the classic radio format, Tom and Luis have been castaway to a desert island and can only choose 5 books to keep them company. Hear about the theoretical influences behind the madness and the thinkers that shaped these two academics. Learn about some classic and cutting-edge contributions to theory, guaranteed to be hilarious and educational!
Please note: Open for Leeds Beckett students only.
Date & Time: Tuesday 12th November, 16:00 - 18:00
Location: The Rose Bowl, Leeds Beckett University (RB416)
This event, for students at Leeds Beckett University only, will introduce the myriad careers that students with a Politics degree can enter upon graduation, including the Civil Service, NHS leadership, and journalism.
Speakers include:
- Rosie Conry – Drugs Policy Lead, Department of Health & Social Care
- Hayden Risdale – Senior Strategy & Transformation Programme Manager, West Yorkshire Health & Care Partnership
- Katie Lyons – Greatest Hits Radio
Please note: Open for Leeds Beckett students only.
Date & Time: Wednesday 13th November 12:00 - 13:00
Location: Calverley Building, City Campus (CL 309)
Please note: Open for Leeds Beckett students only. In England and Wales, criminal justice policy has seen a drive to focus on the ‘needs’ of women who are criminalised by adopting ‘gender-specific’ approaches. ‘Gendered justice’ aims to improve the way criminal justice institutions respond to women, considering the complexities of trauma and the impact of broader social structures.
In this session, Dr Sarah Waite talks about her work exploring the tensions and challenges of ‘doing’ gendered justice and raises important considerations for well-intended policy initiatives directed at women.
Please note: Open for Leeds Beckett students only.
Date & Time: Wednesday 13th November, 15:00 - 17:00
Location: The Rose Bowl, City Campus (RB241 LTA)
We're excited to have Professor Danny Dorling talking to us about his two recent books, published in September and October 2024. They touch on life in the UK today, especially for young children born in the year of peak inequality. What are their lives like now, how much do we understand the lives of others, and what are the prospects for their futures? The talk will range more widely to issues of education, housing, health and current government policy and priorities.
Date & Time: Thursday 14th November, 13:00 - 15:00
Location: Portland Building, City Campus (PD102)
James Darley (Founder & CEO, Transform Society) has more than 25 years experience in graduate recruitment. He has served as a Trustee and as part of Senior Leadership for a range of public and charity sector graduate schemes and brings a wealth of knowledge.  
James Darley (Founder & CEO, Transform Society) has more than 25 years experience in graduate recruitment. He has served as a Trustee and as part of Senior Leadership for a range of public and charity sector graduate schemes and brings a wealth of knowledge.  
Join us for this mini-challenge where you will have a go at ‘gamification’ and situational judgement tests (both used widely in graduate scheme recruitment) and develop your presentation skills ready for your real-life job applications. You’ll also have a chance to work on a live challenge focused on youth crime, where you’ll work in a team to research and present your solutions. There will be a winner announced on the day and you’ll get valuable feedback to take away with you. 
Please note: Open for Leeds Beckett students only.
Date & Time: Friday 15th November, 10:00 - 13:00
Location: Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT
Trip to the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.
Trip organisers: Dr Maria O’Reilly, Dr Grainne Goodwin and Dr Robin Redhead
PLEASE NOTE: We will meet outside the ground floor entrance of the Rose Bowl at 10:00am and walk to The Royal Armouries
Discover the Forgotten Battles: Gender in the Armouries exhibition and object trail. Unearth diverse voices and hidden histories that lie behind some of the arms and armour in the museum’s collection.
Please note: Open for Leeds Beckett students only.
Date & Time: Friday 15th November, 11:00 - 13:00
Location: Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT
Trip to the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.
Trip organisers: Dr Maria O’Reilly, Dr Grainne Goodwin and Dr Robin Redhead
PLEASE NOTE: We will meet outside the ground flood entrance of the Rose Bowl at 11:00am and walk to The Royal Armouries
Discover the Forgotten Battles: Gender in the Armouries exhibition and object trail. Unearth diverse voices and hidden histories that lie behind some of the arms and armour in the museum’s collection.
Please note: Open for Leeds Beckett students only.
