This term marked the return of our Academic Lecture Programme, launching with two thought-provoking talks from leading university academics. Designed to give pupils a taste of university-level study, the programme encourages intellectual curiosity and engagement with complex, real-world ideas.
Professor Anna Saunders, an expert linguist from the University of Liverpool, opened the series with Landscapes of Memory in Berlin. Professor Saunders explored Berlin as a city shaped by memory, examining how its landscape reflects a turbulent and often dark history. She discussed the challenges of commemorating events such as the Holocaust, noting that “Berlin is a city that makes us think about how things are remembered and the language needed to do this,” and highlighted the difference between memorials that celebrate a heroic past and those that confront collective shame. Pupils also learned about Berlin’s history as a divided city and the concept of ‘counter-memorials’, which are designed to provoke active reflection rather than fade into the background over time.
Our second lecture, The Role of Government and Institutions in Developing Countries, was presented by Dr Douglas Scott, a lecturer in Economics at the University of York. Dr Scott offered a fascinating insight into the factors that influence why some countries become wealthy while others remain in poverty. He explained that, although developing countries are all different, many share common challenges such as lower productivity, poorer health outcomes, and weaker institutions. Using powerful real-world examples, including satellite images of North and South Korea, he illustrated the impact that governance, infrastructure, corruption and historical legacies can have on long-term development.
The programme continues throughout the half term, with upcoming lectures covering subjects including Economics, Spanish culture, Bioengineering, Mathematical Modelling and Geology. The series forms an important part of our Sixth Form enrichment, giving pupils a valuable insight into university-level study and academic thinking.