University news

A Nobel Prize winner, Scotland’s First Minister and a top football administrator join the distinguished and eclectic line-up for the Stevenson and Adam Smith Research Foundation lecture series at the University of Glasgow.

The theme this year - Citizenship and Scottish Civic Culture - celebrates the 250th anniversary of the publication of Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments as well as continuing the Stevenson Trust’s commitment to public education on citizenship.

Rt Hon George Reid, Stevenson Professor and former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, opens the lecture series on Thursday 6 November speaking on ‘Sentiments for Scotland’.  He will argue that Scottish traditions of solidarity and self-interest require a new progressive consensus.

Economist and philanthropist, Professor Muhammad Yunus, who was awarded the Nobel Prize two years ago for his work creating economic and social development among the poor in Bangladesh will speak on 1 December.

First Minister Alex Salmond and Gordon Smith, the Chief Executive of the Scottish Football Association will lecture in Spring next year. And writer Liz Lochhead and Shona Simon, Vice President of Scottish Employment Tribunal complete the impressive line-up. 

Professor Christopher Berry, who will introduce the lecture series, said: “Adam Smith was one of the greatest minds to teach in Glasgow University and Daniel Stevenson one of the city and University’s greatest benefactors.

“And we are delighted to have such a distinguished group of speakers, each of whom has risen to the challenge to talk, from a theme derived from Smith’s book, about their own current work or ideas. This fusion between the legacy and the here and now is what makes this year’s series such an exciting, unmissable event.”

Free and open to the public, the lectures begin at 6pm on Thursday 6 November in the Sir Charles Wilson building, University Avenue, Glasgow.

Further information:
Martin Shannon, Media Relations Officer,
University of Glasgow Tel: 0141 330 8593

The Stevenson and Adam Smith Research Foundation Lecture Series 2008-09

As part of the 250th anniversary celebrations of the publication of Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) the theme of the series will be
Citizenship and Scottish Civic Culture

“He is certainly not a good citizen who does not wish to promote, by every means in his power, the welfare of the whole society of his fellow-citizens” (TMS pt. VI ch. 2)

THURSDAY 6 NOVEMBER 
Rt Hon George Reid: Stevenson Professor and former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament   
Sentiments for Scotland

* THURSDAY 20 NOVEMBER - CANCELLED
Blair Jenkins: Chair of Scottish Broadcasting Commission
The Values of Scottish Broadcasting
* PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS LECTURE HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES

MONDAY 1 DECEMBER
(Note: the reception for this event will begin at 6.30p.m. with lecture commencing 7.30pm in the Bute Hall)
Professor Muhammad Yunus:  Economist and Philanthropist, and Nobel Prize Winner
Adam Smith: Commerce and Community (Provisional Title)

THURSDAY 22 JANUARY
 Shona Simon:  Vice President of Scottish Employment Tribunal
“Its self-evident justice is acknowledged by all the world, and there is not a dissenting voice among all mankind.” Adam Smith TMS The passionate pursuit of the self-evident.

THURSDAY 5 FEBRUARY
Liz Lochhead:  Scottish poet, playwright and cultural commentator  
Mythological Women

MONDAY 23 FEBRUARY
Gordon Smith: Chief Executive of Scottish Football Association
Citizenship and Sport   

THURSDAY 5 MARCH
Alex Salmond:  First Minister of Scotland
“All constitutions of government, however, are valued only in proportion as they tend to promote the happiness of those who live under them” Adam Smith TMS (provisional title)
 
The free public lectures will normally take place on either a Monday or a Thursday evening *6.00 - 7.30 p.m. in the Sir Charles Wilson Building (on the corner of Gibson Street and University Avenue).

Each lecture will be followed by questions and discussion and there will be an opportunity to meet informally the speakers at a reception after the lecture.

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First published: 3 November 2008