England in the World workshop
Brexit revealed how English voters could determine a key UK policy decision and how some world views held in England were at odds with those in other parts of the UK. Much has been written about the effect of devolution on UK politics, but aside from the UK’s relations with Europe, we still know little about how views in England compare with those in the rest of the UK on international matters such as transatlantic relations or emerging powers. This workshop, organised as part of a British Academy-Leverhulme funded project, will bring together a range of experts to discuss for the first time what we know of how the English view the world, how these compare with views held elsewhere in the UK, how England’s place in the UK and world are viewed outside the UK, and what the future holds for the United Kingdom’s – or a post-UK England’s? – international relations.
Speakers include
John Denham (University of Southampton), Tim Oliver (Loughborough University London), Richard Wyn Jones (Cardiff University), Evie Aspinall (British Foreign Policy Group), Nick Pearce (University of Bath), Julie Smith (University of Cambridge), Paul Gillespie (University College Dublin and The Irish Times), Helene von Bismarck, Srdjan Vucetic (University of Ottawa), Ben Wellings (Monash University), Nicholas Scott (King’s College London), and Michael Kenny (University of Cambridge).
Programme
10:00-10:30 – Welcome (tea and coffee)
10:30-12:00 – How do the English view the world?
How do views on international matters held by people in England compare with those elsewhere in the UK? Are there differences within England? How strong are these views and what drives them? Is there an English world view and does it differ from a British world view?
12:00-13:00 – Lunch
13:00-14:30 – How does the world view England?
How do outside observers and governments view the UK’s future? What are their views of England’s influence on the UK and the UK’s place in the world? What effect did Brexit have on views held elsewhere in Europe? Do any differences within the UK leave it vulnerable to outside interference and influence?
14:30-14:45 – Tea and coffee break
14:45-16:15 – The future of England and the UK in the world
Will international matters divide or unite the UK? How might future relations with the EU be shaped by English views? What might the end of the UK mean for the international relations of England and the other parts of the UK? What should the next UK government keep in mind about the UK’s different identities when it comes to international matters?
For further details and to register to attend
Contact Dr Tim Oliver: t.l.oliver@lboro.ac.uk