University's Programme of Events at Hay Festival

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The Hay Festival takes place in the picturesque market town of Hay on Wye, Wales, over 11 days in May and June, selling over 250,000 tickets annually.

The University of Worcester series of talks begins on Friday, May 25 at 8.30pm with a panel discussion asking the question, Is 2018 the year for women? It is 100 years since women won the right to vote in the UK " albeit partial. Yet women are still embroiled in daily battles to get parity with their male colleagues and partners. The discussion will ask whether 2018 will be the year that marks a true step change in gender equality?

The panel is made up of Professor Maggie Andrews, from the University of Worcester, who has recently published a book on women's history told through 100 objects, and Worcester History student Anna Muggeridge, along with Professor Krista Cowman, from the University of Lincoln, who was an advisor to the Suffragette film, and Dana Denis-Smith, Chief Executive of Obelisk Support, Founder of the First Hundred Years Project. It will be Chaired by Professor Sara Greer, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Worcester.

On Tuesday, May 29 at 4pm, there will be a discussion exploring the future of higher education in the UK. Universities have long been hailed as one of the UK's most successful attributes but in a time of mounting negativity from politicians and the media, fuelled by rising anger over tuition fees and perceived value for money, as well as recent attacks on free speech, this discussion will ask what is the future for our higher education system and that of our young people? Among the panellists will be Professor David Green, University of Worcester Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, and Jade Haley, President of Worcester Students' Union.

The following day, Wednesday, May 30 at 10am, there will be a moving discussion on domestic abuse focussing on how children growing up in violent households can break the cycle. Inspirational survivors Ruth Jones OBE and Marc Scriven will be joined by former West Mercia Police Chief Constable, David Shaw, Jan Frances, former West Mercia Women's Aid CEO, and Frances Howie, Director of Public Health at Worcestershire County Council, to talk about how they used their experiences for positive change and how society can help lead transformation for the future.

On Thursday, May 31, at 1pm, there will be a panel discussion on the future of the NHS, to mark its 70th anniversary. The panel, made up of Dr Kathryn Gutteridge, President of the Royal College of Midwives, Steven Thrush, a Consultant at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, and Professor David Green, Vice Chancellor of the University of Worcester, one of the Country's top educators of healthcare professionals, will discuss how health care staff remain resilient, compassionate and continue to innovate in the face of mounting pressures from over-stretched budgets, pay freezes, and a demanding population.

The University's series concludes on Saturday, June 2 with two illustration workshops for children. Tobias Hickey and Stephen Fowler will'deliver printmaking workshops and give youngsters the chance to have'a go at creating characters through rubber and foam stamping techniques.

For tickets to any of the events please visit the Hay Festival website at www.hayfestival.org