Languages, Cultures, and an International Mindset for Success in the 21st Century
This event celebrates the power and positivity of languages and cultures in the 21st century, highlighting their role in personal growth, global careers, and societal benefits. Inspired by Baroness Jean Coussins’ call for ‘languages positivity’, the event features her keynote on the importance of languages and international thinking. SMLC graduate Jaclyn McKie, now Head of Marketing at Isle of Arran Distillers, will also speak. With presentations, a panel discussion, and a Q&A, the event welcomes students, staff, and the public. Hosted by Professor Stephen Forcer, it includes refreshments and whisky tasting, with a potential online option to be confirmed.
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
Date: Friday 09 May 2025
Time: 13:00 - 15:00
Venue: The Debating Chamber, Glasgow University Union, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Category: Public lectures
Speaker: Baroness Jean Coussins
‘Languages, Cultures, and an International Mindset for Success in the 21st Century'
1-3pm Friday 9 May. Debating Chamber, Glasgow University Union
The School of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Glasgow extends a warm invitation for students, staff, and members of the public to sign up to this free event. Please register at the following link:
Despite the real threats facing languages and the very idea of multiculturalism, there are a great number of positive stories to tell about languages and cultures in the 21st century. From students experiencing new places and making lifelong friendships, through to economic growth and better outcomes for health and research, there is also huge personal and (inter)national opportunity for the future through languages and cultures.
This event seeks to make some noise about languages and cultures, following the call to ‘languages positivity’ promoted by Baroness Jean Coussins, co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Modern Languages and the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Glasgow for services to languages and linguists in 2024.
The event especially showcases the vast and surprising array of careers and lives that languages students have gone on lead, which encompasses more or less any area of work from fashion, sport and music to finance, international diplomacy, and the intelligence services.
The event will feature a keynote from Baroness Coussins on ‘The Importance of Languages and an International Mindset for Success in the 21st Century'.
As an invited speaker we are delighted to also welcome Jaclyn McKie, an SMLC Graduate and now Head of Marketing for Isle of Arran Distillers.
The event is thus intended to be of interest to a wide range of guests, including students of languages looking to know more about careers and employability, colleagues in the University, and anyone within or outside the University who has an interest in the role that languages and cultures can play within personal and collective opportunity.
The event will be chaired by Professor Stephen Forcer, Head of SMLC. The format will involve presentations and a panel discussion with our invited guests, and an open Q&A with the audience.
Thanks to Jaclyn we will be pleased to offer some samples of whisky, alongside free refreshments for all our guests.
We are exploring the possibility of an online option for joining. Any updates on this will be circulated in due course.