Latest News

Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland
Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland

John Smith Centre and Royal Bank join forces to establish a Leadership Academy for 300 young Scots

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 00:01:00 GMT

Scotland’s First Minister endorses the 12-month programme designed to promote the importance of respectful, civilised disagreement whilst investing in the skills of a new generation of change-makers.

Kezia Dugdale and Andrew Wilson at BBC Scotland
Kezia Dugdale and Andrew Wilson at BBC Scotland

Centre Director to take leading commentary role on election night

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 09:09:00 GMT

Kezia Dugdale will spend election night in the BBC Scotland studio as the election results come in

Ed Balls gives a careers talk at the University
Ed Balls gives a careers talk at the University

Ed Balls Visits the John Smith Centre

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT

John Smith Centre Board Member the Rt. Hon Ed Balls spent time discussing careers and employability with students at the University of Glasgow

The John Smith Centre welcomes the Rt Hon. Ed Balls for a careers talk at the University of Glasgow

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 00:00:00 BST

The John Smith Centre is pleased to welcome former Shadow Chancellor and Centre Board member the Rt Hon. Ed Balls to the University

Festival of Politics 2019 story banner
Festival of Politics 2019 story banner

John Smith Centre at the Festival of Politics 2019

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 12:00:00 BST

The Centre returned to the Festival for the third time, with a panel on women in politics

Festival of Politics 2019 banner
Festival of Politics 2019 banner

How women can stand and succeed

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 11:19:00 BST

A panel discussion on the major issues facing women in politics today, featuring experts including Ruth Davidson MSP, chaired by leading broadcaster, journalist and author Andrew Marr, as part of the Festival of Politics 2019.

Robertson Scholars in conversation with Gordon Hunt and Alison Hopper
Robertson Scholars in conversation with Gordon Hunt and Alison Hopper

Robertson Scholars meet with John Smith Trust Fellows in Edinburgh

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 00:00:00 BST

Robertson Scholars met with John Smith Trust fellows at Baroness Smith's residence and the Faculty of Advocates

Smith Family
Smith Family

John Smith 1938-1994 - 25th Anniversary

Sat, 11 May 2019 00:00:00 BST

The John Smith Centre marks the 25th anniversary of the death of John Smith

Kezia Dugdale banner
Kezia Dugdale banner

Kezia Dugdale announced as Director of John Smith Centre

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 00:00:00 BST

Former leader of the Labour Party in Scotland is to join the University of Glasgow as Director of the John Smith Centre for Public Service

John Major from 360
John Major from 360

Sir John Major delivers inaugural John Smith Public Service Lecture

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH closes the John Smith Centre Conference with the first John Smith Public Service Lecture

John Major banner
John Major banner

Public Service Conference 2019

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT

We're thrilled to announce our 2019 conference on Public Service, with guest lecture by former Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH

2019 Parliamentary Interns at Scottish Parliament
2019 Parliamentary Interns at Scottish Parliament

Parliamentary Interns visit the Scottish Parliament

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Sir Paul Grice hosts JSC Parliamentary Interns for a day of events at the Scottish Parliament

Front of main building and memorial gate
Front of main building and memorial gate

Recruitment of first John Smith Centre Director

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Applications are open for the role of the Director of the John Smith Centre

Robertson logo banner
Robertson logo banner

John Smith Public Service Award for Robertson Scholars announced

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

The John Smith Centre and The Robertson Trust are thrilled to announce the first recipients of John Smith Public Service Award

2019 interns banner
2019 interns banner

Parliamentary Internship Programme Training Session

Thu, 17 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Find out how our 2019 Parliamentary Interns prepared for constituency office life

Students sitting on a bench in the quadrangle
Students sitting on a bench in the quadrangle

Launch of the 2019 Parliamentary Internship Programme

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 13:12:00 GMT

Applications are being invited for the third year of the John Smith Centre Parliamentary Internship Programme

Ruth Davidson + Ed Balls
Ruth Davidson + Ed Balls

Ruth Davidson and Ed Balls join Management Board

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 00:00:00 BST

The John Smith Centre is pleased to welcome The Rt Hon Ruth Davidson MSP and The Rt Hon Ed Balls to the Management Board

Fraser McMillan
Fraser McMillan

John Smith Centre Research Associate

Mon, 19 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

The John Smith Centre welcomes Fraser McMillan, our first dedicated Research Associate

PIP 2018 Training Day
PIP 2018 Training Day

Parliamentary Internship Programme News

Sun, 04 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Meet our 2018 Parliamentary Interns and find out more about this year's Programme

Main building through the trees in winter
Main building through the trees in winter

Academic Conference on Public Service (**Cancelled due to adverse weather**)

Fri, 16 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMT

The John Smith Centre is hosting an academic conference on 2 March 2018 to improve our understanding of how the public things about public service

David Muir Speakers Series 2017
David Muir Speakers Series 2017

Employability Speaker Series 2017

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 10:08:00 GMT

John Smith Centre board member, David Muir, hosts a series of events at the University of Glasgow Elizabeth Allen and Wally Adeyemo, senior figures from President Obama's administration

Festival of Politics 2017 logo
Festival of Politics 2017 logo

Heroes to Zeros - Portrayal of People in Public Life

Sun, 22 Oct 2017 00:00:00 BST

David Dinsmore, Stella Creasy MP, Humza Yousaf MSP and Paul Sinclair discuss the portrayal of people in public life at the Festival of Politics

Adam McInnes and Humza Yousaf MSP
Adam McInnes and Humza Yousaf MSP

Launch of the 2018 Parliamentary Internship Programme

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:43:00 BST

After a hugely successful first year, the John Smith Centre Parliamentary Internship Programme is offering 14 paid, part-time internships with local MSPs in 2018

JSC sign
JSC sign

John Smith Centre Research Associate opportunity

Tue, 10 Oct 2017 15:26:00 BST

We are excited to be recruiting for a John Smith Centre Research Associate to research the public understanding of Public Service

Festival of Politics 2017 logo
Festival of Politics 2017 logo

Tickets on sale for Festival of Politics 2017

Fri, 06 Oct 2017 10:46:00 BST

The John Smith Centre presents "Heroes to Zeros - Portrayal of People in Public life" at the Festival of Politics with keynote speech by Stella Creasy MP

2017 PIP training day - on JSC steps
2017 PIP training day - on JSC steps

Training day for 2017 Parliamentary Interns

Tue, 23 May 2017 00:00:00 BST

Inaugural John Smith Centre Parliamentary Interns take part in a jam-packed training session designed to prepare them for working with their host MSPs

Students walking through the cloisters
Students walking through the cloisters

Launch of John Smith Centre Parliamentary Internship Programme

Thu, 09 Mar 2017 11:09:00 GMT

The John Smith Centre announces the launch of a new paid, 10-week Parliamentary Internship Programme for University of Glasgow undergraduates

Catherine Smith, Matt Carter, and Sir Anton Muscatelli
Catherine Smith, Matt Carter, and Sir Anton Muscatelli

The John Smith Centre launches at Dover House, Whitehall

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Supporters and friends of the John Smith Centre gather to celebrate the Centre's launch at a special reception at Dover House

Public Service and the Future of Democracy with Professor Michael J Sandel

Fri, 18 Sep 2015 15:24:00 BST

A special keynote lecture held as part of the Scottish Parliament Festival of Politics 2015

Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Gilmorehill Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Gilmorehill

John Smith Centre for Public Service to be created at the University of Glasgow

On the 20th anniversary of the death of the Labour Party Leader, the Rt Hon. John Smith Q.C., M.P., Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill is delighted to announce the creation of a new Centre to “promote public service as a noble vocation” and provide a lasting, fitting and meaningful tribute to the life and work of John Smith. Read more...