Democracy Day – 27 September 2019

What does Brexit mean for University of Worcester students and staff?

Democracy Day speech bubble
  • Learn more about the issues
  • Put your questions to the politicians
  • Get expert help with voter registration

What’s a Teach-in?

The University of Worcester held a Democracy Day ‘Teach-in’ on Friday 27 September. All students were encouraged to participate in this free event.

This ‘Teach-in’ was designed to encourage you to become informed about the issues, learn more about voter registration as well as giving you the opportunity to meet and put your questions to local politicians.

A wide variety of speakers with different points of view, including colleagues with specific expertise in such fields as constitutional law, as well as local politicians, including the MP for Worcester and a West Midlands MEP, took part in the day.

The event ran on Friday 27 September from 9am to 9pm in the Festival Tent outside the Students’ Union and in the SU Hangar at the St John’s Campus.

Watch the panels

Follow the relevant links below to view each panel on YouTube.

For further details about panel members, see the tables below.

Unfortunately, due to some technical problems we are unable to present the panel 'In conversation with... Lynn Denham (Labour)', but here are some tweets about the panel:

 

 

 

 Schedule

Venue: The Hangar
 TimeTalk Speakers 
9:30 - 10:00

 In conversation with… Lynn Denham (Labour)

Hosted by Professor David Green CBE
10:10 - 10:50

What does Brexit mean for science and the environment?

What impact will it have on funding? Will it help or damage the environment?

Dr John-Paul Wilson (Chair)
Professor Carsten Skjoth
Dr Heather Barrett
Professor Nick Evans
Professor Mahmut Tor
Dr Helen Loney
11:00 - 11:40

The United Kingdom’s constitution in flux – can the courts resolve this ‘constitutional crisis’?

Recent events in Westminster have called into question the very foundations of the United Kingdom’s constitution.

Principles such as the rule of law, parliamentary sovereignty, the independence of the judiciary, and the justiciability of the royal prerogative power to prorogue Parliament, are now part of everyday discourse and being debated by lawyers, judges, politicians, ministers and citizens alike.

Bill Davies (Chair)
Chris Monaghan
HH Toby Hooper QC
Josie Kemeys
Samuel Evans 

11:50 - 12:20 In conversation with… Stephen Kearney (Liberal Democrat) Hosted by Professor David Green CBE
12:30 - 13:10

What does Brexit mean for students at Worcester?

How can you make your voice heard and your views count?

Study, Learn, Discuss, Vote 

Ross Renton (Chair)
Worcester Students’ Union: Meg Price and Harry Lonsdale
Isi Daley (For Futures Sake)
Erica Ramos (Vice President Union Development, NUS)

13:20 - 13:50 In conversation with… Louis Stephen (Green Party) Hosted by Professor David Green CBE
14:00 - 14:30 In conversation with… Robin Walker MP (Conservative) Hosted by Professor David Green CBE
14:40 - 15:10

In conversation with… Martin Daubney MEP (Brexit Party)

Cancelled due to Martin Daubney being unable to attend

Hosted by Professor David Green CBE
15:20 - 16:00

What does it mean to belong?

An exploration of identity and ‘otherness’ in today’s society.

Professor Michael Bradshaw (Chair)
Professor Nicoleta Cinpoes
Charlotte Wasilewski
Dr Whitney Standlee
Dr Lefteris Kailoglou 
16:10 - 16:50

What will Brexit mean for the NHS and social care?

Will no-deal really mean a medicine shortage? What about the workforce?

Professor Sarah Greer (Chair)
Robert Dudley
Liz Davies-Ward
Frances Howie
Kay Mohanna GP
Robert Mackie (Worcs Health and Care Trust) 
Professor John Cookson
20:00 onwards

Retro DJ in the Students' Union

 

 

Venue: Festival Tent
 TimeTalk Speakers 
11:00 - 11.40

Could sport be a key to uniting a divided nation?

Sport plays a major role in defining our identity. Can it be a vehicle to reunite the nation?

Dr Don Vinson (Chair)
Dr Andrew Cale
Dr Gyozo Molnar
Dr David Storey
Dr Rachael Bullingham
12:30 - 13:10

The art of persuasion in decision making

Just how do we make decisions? From the small every day to the life changing, come and join our psychology experts to hear about how evolution, external influences and our emotions are all at play when we make decisions.

David Broster (Chair)
Dr Tim Jones
Dr Daniel Farrelly
Dr Helen Scott
Dr Berenice Mahoney
14:00 - 14:40

What does Brexit mean for schools and our young people?

How do teachers address the five British values of:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Ann Jordan (Chair)
Jonathan Godfrey
Dr Pinky Jain
Rebecca Davidge
Professor Richard Woolley 
14:50 - 15:30

The search for truth

Can we trust what we read in the media? What about social media? Where do journalists get their information and how do they make sure it’s accurate

Rachel Ammonds (Chair)
Andrew Easton (BBC HW)
James Pearson (BBC HW)
Rob George (Worcester Observer) 
15:40 - 16:20

Britain and the EU through the Years

A historical look at the how the EU was formed and how it’s influenced British and European politics

Dr Neil Fleming
Mike Webb
Dr David Storey 

Your vote matters

Make sure you're in

If you want to vote at an election or referendum in the UK, you must be registered to vote.

You only need to register once - you do not need to register for every election, but you do need to register again if you've changed your address.

As a student, you can register at both your term time address and at the address you live at outside of term time, but you can only vote in one location in a general election.

For more information visit gov.uk/register-to-vote

Every vote matters