The John Smith Centre organises a variety of
events open to the public throughout the year.
The John Smith Centre organises a variety of
events open to the public throughout the year.
The John Smith Centre organises a variety of
events open to the public throughout the year.
Join us to hear former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown discuss his new book The Future Starts With Us with John Smith Centre Director Eddie Barnes at the University of Glasgow.
Drawing on decades of experience at the heart of politics, alongside new research and original polling of nearly 100,000 people across forty-five countries, Gordon Brown reveals how global instability and civic decline are connected.
The Future Starts With Us is more than a guide to our present turmoil. By uncovering and targeting the root causes, Brown offers a practical and hopeful roadmap to bring us back together, renew the global order, and set us on a more equitable and sustainable course.
2 September 2026, 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Saltire Lecture Theatre, James McCune Smith Learning Hub, University of Glagow
Join us to hear former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown discuss his new book The Future Starts With Us with John Smith Centre Director Eddie Barnes at the University of Glasgow.
Drawing on decades of experience at the heart of politics, alongside new research and original polling of nearly 100,000 people across forty-five countries, Gordon Brown reveals how global instability and civic decline are connected.
The Future Starts With Us is more than a guide to our present turmoil. By uncovering and targeting the root causes, Brown offers a practical and hopeful roadmap to bring us back together, renew the global order, and set us on a more equitable and sustainable course.
2 September 2026, 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Saltire Lecture Theatre, James McCune Smith Learning Hub, University of Glagow
Sponsored by Sir Victor Blank.
The John Smith Memorial Lecture is held every summer to examine the future of public life.This series sees high-profile figures of politics and public life speak to their vision of the future and current obstacles that must be overcome.
In May 2025, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown set out his vision for “a renewal of the public square” across the United Kingdom during his lecture in London.
Drawing on decades of experience at the heart of politics, alongside new research and original polling of nearly 100,000 people across forty-five countries, Gordon Brown reveals how global instability and
Freedom of expression, even if some find certain views offensive, is lauded as one of the most important civil liberties. When does free speech become hate speech and what part
The John Smith Centre has staged our first election hustings for young people ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary elections next week. In the beautiful surroundings of St Giles’ Cathedral, in
In the past, we have run an online series of Power Hours, examining different aspects of power in politics and public life. From the role of special advisers to opposition backbench MPs, to Government ministers and think tank directors, we spent 60 minutes each with key decision makers looking at their early careers, the big issues they’ve grappled with and their hopes and fears for the future.
A few years ago, we ran an event series serving as the bridge between students and the most seasoned professionals in politics, policy and the media – the David Muir Speaker Series.
