Academic Programme
The Academic Programme consists of two separate weeks of seminars, lectures and visits on topics relevant to the Fellows. The first week takes place in Edinburgh in June, with the second week taking place in London later on in the Programme.
A new style Academic Programme was launched during the 2009 Edinburgh week. A team of Fellows presented the key problems and challenges they face before questioning a series of ‘witnesses’ on their areas of expertise. The interactive sessions produced some very lively exchanges. Emma Gray (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman) and Dr Niamh Nic Shuibhne (School of Law, University of Edinburgh) were questioned on the ‘Politics of Human Rights’. Prof. Susan Deacon (Queen Margaret University) and Prof. James Mitchell (University of Strathclyde) took part in a session on ‘Domestic Policy Making and Accountability in Scottish Politics’. On the topic of ‘Devolution and Sovereignty’, John Edward (Head of European Parliament Office) and Professor David McCrone (University of Edinburgh) were questioned by Fellows.
At the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Trust Advisor Rt Hon George Reid delivered a fascinating lecture to the group in which he discussed the themes of: devolution, the workings of the Scottish ‘people’s parliament’, the importance of civil society, futures thinking, conflict resolution, and the recent European elections.
During the London week of the Academic Programme, the Trust’s Deputy Chairmen Conservative MP Damian Green and Liberal Democrat MP Sir Menzies Campbell held a discussion with the Fellows on ‘Standards in Public Life’, answering questions on the expenses scandal, MPs’ outside interests and the future of Parliament. Channel Four News presenter Jon Snow spoke to the Fellows on the ‘Meaning of a Free Press’, whilst Jonathan Cohen of Conciliation Resources led the session on Conflict Resolution. Lord Bach, Lord Kingsland and Baroness Stern gave the 2009 Fellows a unique insight into the UK criminal justice system, followed by a talk from the Rt Hon Stephen Byers MP on the legislative process. Other topics included Corporate Social Responsibility, Foreign and Defence Policy Making, Lobbying and Think Tanks, and Road Safety.