Disagreeing Well in Public Life
15 May 2024, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm
![An image from the event titled: Disagreeing Well at UCL. The photo contains 5 panellists sat on chairs on the Bloomsbury Theatre stage.](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/events/sites/events/files/styles/large_image/public/events/disagree-well-jpg-800-500.jpg?itok=0_Uz6YTP)
Join us on UCL’s Bloomsbury campus for this interactive panel event discussing the topic: Disagreeing Well in Public Life.
Event Information
Open to
- All
Availability
- Yes
Cost
- £5.00
Organiser
-
UCL Events
Location
-
Bloomsbury Theatre15 Gordon StreetLondonWC1H 0AH
Tickets to attend this event in-person are no longer available, but you can watch the event on the Live Stream.
When politics can so often feel like a shouting match, how do we express ourselves while ensuring others are heard? How do we debate policy, while maintaining mutual respect? And in a system of competing parties and agendas, can we find common ground?
Join us to explore these questions in the third interactive panel event in UCL’s Disagreeing Well campaign - Disagreeing Well in Public Life, taking place on 15 May at Bloomsbury Theatre.
In a world increasingly polarised with ever more provocative polemic, the highly acclaimed panel from across the political spectrum will explore the role of debate and disagreement in politics – whether that be in Parliament, on the campaign trail, or online. Together with questions from the audience, the evening will attempt to find common ground, and identify what needs to be in place for people to disagree well in the public sphere.
Panel
- Ayesha Hazarika (Broadcaster and Times Radio presenter) - Panel Chair
- Luke Tryl (UK Director, More in Common)
- Luciana Berger (Chair of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance)
- Jeff Howard (Associate Professor of Political Philosophy and Public Policy at UCL)
- Su Moore (CEO, Jo Cox Foundation)
- Ryan Shorthouse (Executive Chair, Bright Blue)
If you are unable to join the event in-person, you can book for the livestream.
This event is part of UCL’s Disagreeing Well campaign, which looks at how we can coexist in a diverse community where many differences of opinion are passionately held and personally felt.
Disagreeing Well is an essential life skill that brings enormous benefits to individuals and society. By approaching disagreements with respect, curiosity and a desire to find common ground, we can nurture understanding and solve shared problems.
This event series seeks to explore what is required to help people to Disagree Well. Looking across different topics from ‘disagreeing in the online world’ to ‘disagreeing in public life’, a diverse range of speakers will share their insight, knowledge and personal experiences about how we can learn to disagree well, and reflect upon what happens when we do not.
Follow us on LinkedIn and X #UCLDisagreeingWell
Access profile
- There is step free access into the Bloomsbury Theatre
- This is a hybrid event so you can join the talks in-person or online via YouTube
- BSL interpreters are available upon request, please email ticketing@ucl.ac.uk for further details
- For full Bloomsbury Theatre access details please visit the accessable website
If you have access requirements, please call 020 3108 1000 (Mon-Fri, 12-5pm) or email ticketing@ucl.ac.uk to arrange guaranteed seating. Access information about the Bloomsbury Theatre can be found on the Bloomsbury Theatre website.
Seats will be allocated on a first come, first served basis so please do arrive promptly on the day.
This event will include discussions about complex topics and themes, with audience participation and debate. Whilst under 18’s are welcome, they must attend with an adult who understands the nature of this event.
Concessions
Tickets for UCL staff and students are freeAbout the Speakers
Ayesha Hazarika
Broadcaster and Times Radio presenter
![A photo of Ayesha Hazarika](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/events/sites/events/files/styles/small_image/public/ayesha.png?itok=iJvIXcXq)
Broadcaster, comedian and writer Ayesha is known for her insightful and witty opinions, and her informed observations on current affairs and politics.
Host of the Weekend Drivetime show on Times Radio every Saturday and Sunday, where she dissects the news and events across Westminster and beyond with a plethora of interesting and engaging guests, Ayesha is also a regular contributor on Question Time (BBC Two), Good Morning Britain (ITV), The Jeremy Vine Show (C5), The News Quiz (Radio 4), Lorraine (ITV), Have I Got News For You (BBC One), Richard Osman’s House Of Games (BBC Two), and Breaking The News (Radio Scotland).
Luciana Berger
Chair at Maternal Mental Health Alliance
![Photo of Luciana Berger](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/events/sites/events/files/styles/small_image/public/luciana_berger_photo_002.jpeg?itok=Sw2Kuxay)
Luciana is Senior Adviser at iNHouse Communications. In a voluntary capacity Luciana has been Chair of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance charity since September 2020, she is an advisory board member of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, Vice-President of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and Vice-President of the Jewish Leadership Council.
Luciana served as the Member of Parliament for Liverpool Wavertree for almost a decade until the end of 2019. During her time in the House of Commons, Luciana held prominent front bench and back bench roles. Luciana was the Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Shadow Minister for Public Health and Shadow Cabinet Member for Mental Health between 20010 and 2016. Luciana was a leading member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee between 2016 and 2019.
Jeff Howard
Associate Professor of Political Philosophy and Public Policy at UCL
![Photo of Jeffrey Howard](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/events/sites/events/files/styles/small_image/public/jh_photo_new_gen.jpg?itok=beKeOApW)
Jeffrey Howard is Associate Professor of Political Philosophy & Public Policy at University College London, where he directs the Digital Speech Lab. He is also a Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Ethics in AI at Oxford University and Co-Editor of the journal Political Philosophy. A UKRI Future Leader Fellow and British Academy Rising Star, his work explores how to improve public discourse in the digital age.
Luke Tryl
UK Director at More in Common
![Photo of Luke Tryl](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/events/sites/events/files/styles/small_image/public/luketryl_2.jpg?itok=2FoJ91k6)
As UK Director, Luke leads More in Common’s ground-breaking UK public opinion and thought leadership work. He has worked to shine a light on what the public thinks about topics as diverse as immigration, climate change, gender identity and mental health. With a focus on the nuances and complexity of public opinion, he has helped policymakers, business and civil society navigate issues often regarded as tricky and divisive.
Before joining More in Common, Luke's career spanned politics, public opinion and government. He served as a Special Advisor to Nicky Morgan during the Cameron administration and as Director of Strategy at the education inspectorate Ofsted.
Ryan Shorthouse
Executive Chair at Bright Blue
![photo of Ryan Shorthouse](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/events/sites/events/files/styles/small_image/public/ryan-bw-headshots.png?itok=zDIKkil_)
Ryan is the Founder and Executive Chair of Bright Blue. He was Chief Executive from 2014-2023. Under his leadership, Bright Blue has grown significantly in size, reputation and impact. The organisation was shortlisted for the 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 UK social policy think tank of the year and UK environment and energy think tank of the year in the prestigious annual Prospect Magazine awards.
Ryan was appointed a Commissioner of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). He is also a Senior Visiting Fellow at King’s College London and a Visiting Fellow at the University of Bath. He is also a trustee of the What Works Centre, Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO), and was previously a trustee for the Early Intervention Foundation (2017-2023), Young Women’s Trust (2014-2019) and the Daycare Trust (2010-2015).
Su Moore
CEO at Jo Cox Foundation
![Photo of Su Moore](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/events/sites/events/files/styles/small_image/public/su_moore_1_002.jpg?itok=NZs1l1KF)
Su is the CEO of The Jo Cox Foundation, a charity founded in 2016 to make positive change on issues that Jo Cox MP was passionate about. She has led the Foundation's Respectful Politics work, with a particular focus on the Jo Cox Civility Commission, dedicated to finding implementable solutions to the issue of abuse and intimidation of elected politicians.
Su has been CEO of the Foundation since early 2021, having originally joined the team in 2019 as the Great Get Together Campaign Director. She has a varied background, including jobs in the arts, charities, media and sports, with organisations including London 2012, the British Council and GB Snowsport. Outside of the Foundation, she is a Trustee of the Bishopsgate Institute.