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.
Date & time: Tuesday 18 November 14:30-16:30
Location: Lecture Theatre C,Rose Bowl
Join us for an engaging workshop and discussion featuring two distinguished voices from the Global South. This event will explore critical issues shaping governance, economic policy, and development in emerging economies, offering fresh perspectives for students and academics alike.
Gain insights from practitioners who have shaped policy at the highest levels, explore real-world case studies, and engage in conversations that bridge theory and practice.
Highlights:
- An overview of the book Public Policy and Agent Interests: Perspectives from the Emerging World
- Interactive discussion on governance, agency problems, and development challenges in the Global South
- Networking opportunities for students and staff
Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, CON, OFR
Former Nigerian Minister of Finance and Minister of National Planning; ex-Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; current Chairman of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI). Dr. Usman played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s economic reforms including the Sovereign Wealth Fund, and the Treasury Single Account. He is currently the Chairman of Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Nigeria's national asset management corporation. He brings decades of experience in national and multilateral policymaking.
Dr. Temitope Laniran
Economist and Non-Resident Research Fellow with the Nigerian Economic Society and Economist at the Central Bank of Nigeria. Dr. Laniran has worked across academia, policy, and consultancy, taught at the University of Bradford and Institute for Development Studies, and is affiliated with UC Berkeley’s BITSS. His research spans monetary policy, resource governance, and development planning.
Date & time: Wednesday 19 November 16:00-18:00
Location: CL113, Calverley Building
For LBU staff and students only
This roundtable examines how the label “terrorism” shapes understandings of violence, polices dissent, and limits possibilities for liberation.
Starting from the colonial roots of the concept, it explores how counterterrorism and counter-extremism policies—such as the UK’s Prevent strategy—authorize state violence and construct racialised “suspect communities.”
Participants will discuss how this dynamic plays out in the framing of Palestinian liberation struggles, the repression of solidarity movements, and the silencing effects of mainstream media.
Together, these conversations expose the discursive power of “terrorism” to legitimise violence, constrain activism, and close off alternative visions of justice and resistance.
Date & time: Thursday 20 November 10:00-11:30
Location: Cinema G11, Leeds School of Arts
Join us for a screening of Wave Goodbye to Dinosaurs, an inspiring documentary about the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition (NIWC)—the groundbreaking cross-community party that made sure women’s voices were heard in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
Through grassroots action and fearless determination, these women reshaped the peace process and proved the power of inclusion and equality in building a lasting peace.
Held to mark the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, this event celebrates women’s leadership in peacebuilding worldwide.
Date & time: Friday 21 November 15:00-17:00
Location: Lecture Theatre B, Rose Bowl
Closing the PIR Festival join two leading professionals as
they share real-world insights from the field of international development.
Arwa Hassan (GIZ) brings decades of experience promoting
good governance across the Middle East and North Africa, while Louise Meikle,
former Chief People Officer at British International Investment, offers a
unique perspective on leadership and impact investing.
Whether you’re considering a career in development, planning
a dissertation in the field, or simply curious about how global change happens
in practice, this session offers invaluable advice on pathways, skills, and
opportunities.
