As part of the 2018 MacKenzie Lecture in Politics, Professor Matthew Flinders of the University of Sheffield, will discuss 'The Civic Journey: Redefining Citizenship for the 21st Century'.

A number of difficult and divisive events ranging from the Brexit referendum to tragic incidents in fragmented communities have brought recent attention to the changing nature of citizenship in the United Kingdom. What can be termed ‘the citizenship challenge’ therefore focuses upon a need to identify and emphasise those elements of modern life that can bind and bring together an increasingly diverse political community.  And yet it can be suggested that the citizenship challenge has itself become imbued with a ‘the politics of pessimism’ in that we have arguably lost the capacity to promote fresh ideas, design novel solutions or approach issues with a sense of renewed civic purpose. This lecture rejects such negativity and promotes a new ‘politics of optimism’ through a focus upon the notion of a re-imagined civic journey.

Matthew Flinders is Professor of Politics and Founding Director of the Sir Bernard Crick Centre for the Public Understanding of Politics at the University of Sheffield. He is also President of the Political Studies Association of the United Kingdom, a member of the Economic and Social Research Council’s Capability Committee and is currently serving as the Special Adviser to the House of Lords Select Committee on Citizenship and Civic Participation

The event will take place on Thursday 15 February at 6pm in the Sir Charles Wilson Lecture Theatre and all are welcome to attend. 

First published: 1 February 2018

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