Adam Smith Distinguished Speaker series

Bringing you inspiring speakers from across the globe

The Distinguished Speakers Series welcomes speakers to the Adam Smith Business School to discuss and tackle a wide range of contemporary topics in the world of business.

The school, named after Adam Smith, the founder of modern economics and the University of Glasgow’s most famous alumnus, commemorated the tercentenary of his birth in 2023. 2026 will mark the 250th anniversary of his magnum opus, The Wealth of Nations.

During his time at the University of Glasgow, as both a student and Professor, Smith saw first-hand the rapid development of commerce taking place in Glasgow and became fascinated by economic and social change.

As the School’s flagship speaker series, Distinguished Speakers builds on the legacy of Smith, inviting prestigious academics, business leaders, politicians and researchers to share their experiences and specialisms and to offer reflections on / challenges to conventional wisdom, addressing the current and emerging economic, political and social realities of our times.

Adam Smith Distinguished Speaker series