Latest News

2020 Parliamentary Interns
2020 Parliamentary Interns

Parliamentary Internship Programme 2021 - applications open!

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 00:00:00 BST

Open to all 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students at the University of Glasgow

Anna Soubry
Anna Soubry

Anna Soubry Power Hour - 6 October

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 00:00:00 BST

Register for our online event with Anna Soubry, former Conservative and Change UK Member of Parliament, at 7pm on 6 October

John Nicolson, Katy Balls and tom Hamilton
John Nicolson, Katy Balls and tom Hamilton

Power Hour - The Briefing Room: Do TV Debates Matter? 28 September

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 00:00:00 BST

Join Kezia Dugdale, Katy Balls, John Nicolson MP and Tom Hamilton ahead of the first US presidential election to consider if TV debates make a difference to voters

Shirley-Anne Somerville
Shirley-Anne Somerville

Opportunities for minority ethnic people - £470,000 to fund 50 leadership placements

Sat, 05 Sep 2020 00:00:00 BST

New development programme will aim to remove barriers that can be faced by minority ethnic people moving into leadership positions in society

Trilogy on Trust
Trilogy on Trust

New reports expose low trust in politics and institutions

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 00:00:00 BST

Kezia Dugdale launches the John Smith Centre's 'Trilogy on Trust' series

Panel members of British Future event
Panel members of British Future event

Divided Society: What could keep us together or pull us apart beyond COVID-19?

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 00:00:00 BST

Kezia Dugdale to take part in British Future and Talk/Together panel discussion on 4 September

Torsten Bell
Torsten Bell

Torsten Bell Power Hour - 22 September

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 00:00:00 BST

Join us for our Power Hour with Torsten Bell, Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation, at 1pm on 22 September

Wendy Chamberlain MP
Wendy Chamberlain MP

Wendy Chamberlain MP Power Hour - 25 Aug

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 00:00:00 BST

Register now for our Power Hour with Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain at 7pm on 25 August

Preet Gill MP and John Smith Centre logo
Preet Gill MP and John Smith Centre logo

Power Hour with Preet Gill MP

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 00:00:00 BST

Shadow Secretary of State for International Development to take part in the latest John Smith Centre Power Hour on 27 July at 1pm

Mark Diffley
Mark Diffley

Power Hour with Mark Diffley

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 00:00:00 BST

Pollster Mark Diffley to take part in our latest Power Hour series event

Person holding Black Lives Matter sign
Person holding Black Lives Matter sign

#BLM and the call for change

Sat, 13 Jun 2020 00:00:00 BST

Centre Director Kezia Dugdale outlines the Centre's response to #BLM and the call for change

Joe Pike and John Smith Centre logo
Joe Pike and John Smith Centre logo

Power Hour with Joe Pike

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 00:00:00 BST

Sky News political correspondent Joe Pike to take part in latest Power Hour series event

MPs sitting in House of Commons watching video call with remote MP
MPs sitting in House of Commons watching video call with remote MP

Use of virtual parliaments during COVID-19

Sun, 17 May 2020 00:01:00 BST

Kezia Dugdale writes for the Herald Sunday on how parliaments are adopting technology to varying degrees of success during crisis

Power Hour with Stewart McDonald MP

Tue, 12 May 2020 00:00:00 BST

Glasgow South MP is the latest guest to join the John Smith Centre's Power Hour series

Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson

Centre Director writes for The Scotsman on Covid19 and what it means for trust in our leaders

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 16:37:00 BST

Reflecting on the trust we place in our leaders to make decisions on our behalf, Kezia Dugdale considers the Prime Minister's role in the pandemic facing the UK and the wider world

Three leading politicians unite to comment on John Smith Centre Research

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Key findings from the John Smith Centre report into women, politicians and public service were published on International Women’s Day 2020

Civility in Politics Awards
Civility in Politics Awards

John Smith Centre nominated in inaugural Civility in Politics Awards

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT

The John Smith Centre has been nominated for the Campaigner of the Year award at the inaugural Civility in Politics Awards

Alison Thewliss employability event
Alison Thewliss employability event

Alison Thewliss MP to visit the John Smith Centre **Cancelled due to ongoing UCU action**

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT

The SNP MP for Glasgow Central will give an employability talk and Q&A at the University of Glasgow

2020 Parliamentary Interns
2020 Parliamentary Interns

2020 John Smith Parliamentary Internship Programme begins

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Eight interns begin their internships with a training session and a visit to the Scottish Parliament

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

Rt Hon. Ed Balls to deliver 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 John Smith Centre event lineup
Festival of Politics 2019 John Smith Centre event lineup

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 logo
Festival of Politics 2019 logo

Festival of Politics 2019: 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 Ruth Davidson MSP and chaired by leading broadcaster Andrew Marr

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

2019 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
2019 interns

2019 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 thinks 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

John Smith Centre launch at Dover House
John Smith Centre launch at Dover House

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

Festival of Politics 2015 logo
Festival of Politics 2015 logo

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

Baroness Smith and a photo of John Smith Baroness Smith and a photo of John Smith

John Smith Centre to be created at the University of Glasgow

On the 20th anniversary of the death the Rt Hon. John Smith QC MP, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill is delighted to announce the creation of the John Smith Centre for Public Service. Read more...