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.
The John Smith Centre is delighted to announce it will stage a major election hustings debate specifically for young people next month. Held in partnership with the Scottish Youth Parliament,
The John Smith Centre and the Stevenson Trust are delighted to welcome Terry Szuplat, former speechwriter to President Barack Obama, to the University of Glasgow on March 30th. In his
by Eddie Barnes THE John Smith Centre held its second “Surviving Politics” event in a packed Bute Hall at the University of Glasgow on Monday night. Deputy First Minister Kate
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.
