Connecting minds: preparations begin for the 2018 Public Lecture Series

Plans for this year’s Public Lecture Series are now in full swing, with a selection of our world-class experts poised to deliver engaging events that explore key global challenges and demonstrate the University’s world-leading expertise.

Southampton Connects Staff offers an insight into the upcoming an events, and explores why these lectures are so important.

What is the Public Lecture Series?

The Public Lecture Series is an annual series of lectures showcasing the University of Southampton’s expertise in a specific topical area. These lectures have all been shaped to offer an insight into the world-leading research taking place within the University, while exploring the real-world implications on the topics in question.

This year, the Public Lecture Series is focusing on issues related to population and migration, exploring the concerns and challenges related to an increasing global population and unclear migration patterns. These topics affect every country in the world; developed countries rely on migration to prevent population decline, while low- and middle-income countries struggle to measure their population to inform their policymaking.

Each event will take place at a prestigious London venue, where we will host an audience of leading thinkers, influencers and media contacts from within the respective field. Throughout the evening, our guests will enjoy an hour long lecture followed by a panel discussion including University colleagues and select group of recognised leaders in the chosen topic.

Who is taking part?

The Public Lecture Series is run by Communications and Marketing, and organised by the Engagement and Advancement Events team, who are responsible for overseeing the smooth running of each lecture. The annual event also provides our academics with the opportunity to present their research and highlight its impact on the challenges in their field.

This year’s events all showcase the University’s expertise around the topics of population and migration.

Professor Jackie Wahba

Jackie is Professor of Economics within Social Sciences at the University and will take the lead for our lecture on the costs and benefits of international students. Jackie has published extensively on migration issues, leads migration research at the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Centre for Population change and is a member of the government’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).

The University of Southampton has a very strong reputation and expertise in academic research and policy advice in population and migration.

Professor Jane Falkingham

Jane is Dean of Faculty, Social Sciences at Southampton, Director of the ESRC Centre for Population Change, and President of the European Association of Population Studies (EAPS). Jane will appear as a panellist in Jackie’s lecture, offering insights into the impact of international students on social security and the welfare state.

We will exceed 10 billion by the end of the century, and today more than half of people live in cities, which is unprecedented in human history, and this is why our research is so vital.

Professor Jakub Bijak

Jakub is Professor of Statistical Demography at the University, focusing on demographic uncertainty, population models and forecasts, and the demography of armed conflict. Jakub will lead our lecture on the uncertainty and complexity of migration, providing particular insight into how governments can manage the complexity of migration.

Migration feeds into population directly, so in most of the developed countries these days migration is the component that prevents population from declining. We need to see migration not something that’s easy to control or to manage, but as something that requires deep thinking.

Watch the video below

Professor Andy Tatem

Andy is Professor of Spatial Demography and Epidemiology at the University of Southampton, focusing his research on the characteristics and dynamics of population and migration. Andy will host a lecture on population mapping in low- and middle-income countries, specifically dealing with the challenges that face these countries as they attempt to keep their figures up to date.

Population data underlies everything about government decisions; about allocation of resources, policies, ensuring that people are counted in electoral processes, and making sure they receive the right amount of funding. Getting those numbers right is pretty important.

How can you get involved?

Everyone is welcome to watch each Public Lecture event via the livestream, which will be available on our website for each event, as well as registering for updates on upcoming lectures. This year’s lectures are taking place throughout the rest of 2018.

• Wednesday 10 October: Cost and benefits of international students
• Tuesday 20 November: Uncertainty and complexity of migration
• Tuesday 4 December: Mapping population movement

Why is the Public Lecture Series important?

Overall, the aim of the Public Lecture Series is to improve the profiles of our researchers, strengthen our national and international reputation, and boost our rankings as we seek to elevate Southampton’s status. The series provides our academics with the opportunity to showcase their research and promote discussion of real-world issues beyond our campuses.

Equipped with a suitably prominent stage, our chosen speakers will deliver insightful and thought-provoking lectures that connect their research with the wider community. Our academics will also have the chance to demonstrate how their research addresses global challenges, and how the University as a whole connects with other agencies around the world to tackle key issues.

While this year focuses on the topics of population and migration, next year has the potential to explore almost any topical subject, placing more of our researchers on a global stage and building connections that could shape the future of our planet.