Straight Talk - Multiculturalism: Has it a future?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:45 in Discussion Forums

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Where: Dialogue Society, 402 Holloway Road, N7 6PZ, London
Date: 09 February 2012
Time: 18:45-20:30
With: Professor Tariq Modood, Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy at the University of Bristol
David Goodhart, Founder and Editor at Large of Prospect Magazine, Director of think tank Demos

Abstract
Biography of Prof Tariq Modood
Biography of David Goodhart
Objective
Target Audience
Methodology
Format

Abstract

This new series of programmes will probe urgent contemporary issues in an interview format. It is called Straight Talk for a reason: an expert will face direct, searching questions from a seasoned interviewer. Questions and answers together will help frame the issue and open it up for the audience to debate further.

Through Straight Talk the Dialogue Society aims to provide a platform for experts and opinion-makers to have their say, provided they are willing to be challenged by the interviewer and by the audience.

Biography of Prof Tariq Modood

Tariq Modood is Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy at the University of Bristol and is also the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship. He has held over 40 grants and consultancies (UK, European and US), has over 30 (co-)authored and (co-)edited books and reports and over 150 articles or chapters in political philosophy, sociology and public policy.

Professor Tariq Modood is strongly committed to public engagement and is a regular contributor to the media and policy debates in Britain. He was awarded an MBE for services to social sciences and ethnic relations in 2001 and was elected a member of the Academy of Social Sciences in 2004. Professor Tariq Modood served on the Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain, the IPPR Commission on National Security and on the National Equality Panel, which reported to the UK Deputy Prime Minister in 2010.

Biography of David Goodhart

David Goodhart is the Director of the London based think tank Demos and Editor-at-large of Prospect, a British current affairs magazine which he founded in 1995. David was formerly a senior correspondent of the Financial Times and has produced several radio documentaries for the BBC.

David is a prominent figure in public debate in the UK. He is a well-known broadcaster, author, commentator and journalist who regularly contributes to the Guardian, the Independent, the Times and the Financial Times. David is currently working on a book, The British Dream, about postwar multiculturalism, national identity and immigration.

Objective:

The Dialogue Society Straight Talk series will:

Facilitate an engaging and expansive platform which will offer an opportunity for speakers and members of the audience to enter into a constructive and critical dialogue about important and sometimes controversial issues.
Offer an opportunity to explore and tackle problematic issues through open and transparent dialogue
Provide an opportunity for the public to put forward their concerns to professionals in the discussed field
Open new areas for thought and research

Target Audience:

General Public
Academics and researchers
Think Tanks
Press
Students and others interested in current affairs

Methodology:

The Straight Talk series will operate through a series of sessions. The sessions will include an interview conducted by a prominent journalist that has related interests to the field discussed. The interviewee(s) will be well-known within the discussed field and will be questioned on their perspectives and research.

Session leaders will be professionals engaged in media in a variety of capacities and consequently able to give valuable insights into the discussed topic. Participants will be able to enter into discussion with speakers during the Q and A session following the interview and over refreshments afterwards.

Format:

The sessions will be held in the evening, during weekdays and are expected to attract an audience of between 20 and 50 participants.

The sessions will follow a probing interview format with an interviewer and interviewee(s).The Straight Talk will last for 45 minutes followed by a 35 minute Q and A and will end with a networking opportunity over refreshments.