Roscoe Lecture series

A decade of debate

Over the last decade Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has invited some of the country's leading commentators to join the people of Liverpool in discussing the issues that really matter to them.

With speakers ranging from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Mary McAleese, the President of Ireland, and Ken Dodd to Sir Patrick Moore, these public lectures have used humour, cutting edge research and political insight to explore what it means to be a good citizen in today's society.

LJMU's ethos can be summed up in three words: 'Dream Plan Achieve'. No one embodies this more than one of Liverpool's greatest citizens, William Roscoe, the namesake of our popular lecture series.

Roscoe helped transform 19th century society by campaigning against the evils of slavery. More than 200 years after his death, democratic life in the UK is again undergoing radical changes and it's more vital than ever to give a platform to a plurality of voices and opinions. 

Through the Roscoe Lectures, LJMU is able to do just that, giving people from different walks of life the opportunity to exchange ideas, forge connections and hopefully gain greater understanding in a time of increasing diversity and change.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 11th Anniversary Roscoe Lecture Series

"I applaud LJMU's decision to focus its series of public
lectures on the issue of citizenship"

Kofi Annan
Secretary General of the United Nations

"William Roscoe was an admirable man who holds a well deserved place in history for his work advocating the abolition of slavery. The Roscoe Lecture Series is a fine legacy that commemorates his important role and serves as a good vehicle to promote active citizenship in today's society."

Jimmy Carter
39th President of the United States of America