EVENT SERIES

The THINK series

THINK cover image

THINK

The THINK series is a cornerstone of the Essex Education. Engaging with the critical issues of the day is one of the things that makes Essex students unique. At Essex we encourage critical, innovative and forward thinking. Our award-winning THINK series is rebellious and revolutionary. We engage with controversial issues that cross disciplines and discuss the issues and moral dilemmas that really matter.

Open to all, each debate welcomes a panel of guest speakers to introduce their views before the floor is opened for discussion. From sex work to climate change and from capitalism to global population, nothing is off limits. Having won the Guardian award for Student Experience in 2016, our THINK series continues to challenge convention at every opportunity. 

The THINK series is Essex. Are you?

Disclaimer:

“THINK debates address controversial topics. The debate format is intended to provide a forum in which controversial claims can be challenged and contested. The views expressed in THINK debates are those of the speakers; they should not be understood to represent the views of the organisers or hosts or of the University of Essex.”

Some debates will cover topics and issues that some students may find disturbing. If you are affected by any of the debates, our Health and Wellbeing Services can provide help and support. 

 

Previous THINK events

Spring term 2022

THINK Seminar: The Nordic Model: Feminist or Oppressive?
Host: Dr Ellisif Wasmuth

THINK Debate: The Nordic Model: Feminist or Oppressive?
Speaker: Ida Elin Kock
Speaker: Agnete eill - Kvinnefronten

Autumn Term 2021

THINK Seminar: Citizen's Income: For or Against?
Host: Dr Ellisif Wasmuth

THINK Debate: Citizen's Income: For or Against?
Speaker: Adam Fox - Labour Party
Speaker: Catherine Rowett - Green Party

THINK Seminar: Climate Emergency: Is the UK's response sufficient?
Host: Dr Ellisif Wasmuth

THINK Debate: Climate Emergency: Is the UK's response sufficient?
Speaker: Mike Childs - Friends of the Earth
Speaker: Jack Richardson - Conservative Environment Network
Speaker: Sir Bernard Jenkin MP - Conservative Party
Speaker: Councillor Mark Cory - Liberal Democrats

THINK Seminar: Climate Emergency: Should we consider Geoengineering?
Host: Dr Ellisif Wasmuth

THINK Debate: Climate Emergency: Should we consider Geoengineering?
Speaker: Professor Matthew Watson - University of Bristol

Spring Term 2021

THINK Seminar: Regulating Big Tech?
Host: Dr Ellisif Wasmuth

THINK Debate: Regulating Big Tech?
Speaker: Jessica Dheere - Ranking Digital Rights
Speaker: Christoph Schmon - Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)


Watch a recording of this lecture

THINK Seminar: Should nuclear energy play a part in the UK’s response to the Climate Emergency?
Host: Professor Wayne Martin

THINK Debate: Should we close all nuclear power plants?
Speaker: Zion Lights from Nuclear For Zero Net
Speaker: Rupert Read a former Green Party Candidate


Watch a recording of this lecture

Autumn Term 2020

THINK Seminar: The Future of Work
Host: Professor Wayne Martin

THINK Debate: The Future of Work
Speakers: Fabian Wallace-Stephens from The Royal Society of ArtsHarrison Moore from Earwig and Nikki Pound from Trade Union Council


Watch a recording of this lecture

THINK Seminar: Democracy in America 2020
Host: Professor Wayne Martin

THINK Debate: Democracy in America 2020
Speakers: Nancy Abadu from Voting Rights ProjectDavid Runciman from Cambridge University


Watch a recording of this lecture

THINK Seminar: Repairing UK Democracy
Host: Dr Ellisif Wasmuth

THINK Debate: Repairing UK Democracy
Speakers: Michela Palese from the Electoral Reform Society and Caroline Molloy from openDemocracy


Watch a recording of this lecture

2019-20

2018-19

  • (No) Time to protest? Student activism in the age of tuition fees : Fasiha Hassan, Tancrede Chartier and Amelia Horgan
  • Sexual assault: friend or foe, no means no : Tom Stranger, Bryony Rickard, Ciara Lally and Taran Baragwanath
  • To V or not to V: the ethics of eating meat : Sophie Kennerley 
  • Out-trumping Trump : Immigration and Detention in the UK: Rahaf Sallouta, Yasmine Chafai and Flora Wanyu
  • Mental Health Uncut : What's going wrong? : Denise McKenna and Harry Watkins
  • The Great British Rip Off : Corruption in the UK : Tamasin Cave and Rachel Davies 
  • Apocalypse? Now? Your survival guide to climate change : Angela Terry, Larch Maxey and Chris Robertson

2017-18

  • Friend or Fone: Are smart phones out-witting us? : Geoff White and Glenn Wilkinson
  • University education: woke or wake up! : Femi Nylander
  • Shark-infested banking: A salary for your soul? : Kweku Adeboli
  • Justice day: Fulfilment through forgiveness : Jacob Dunne and Joan Scourfield
  • #sexiswork : Names not disclosed for privacy reasons
  • Brexit: Bleak or On Fleek : Marie Leconte and Ian Dunt
  • Body Image: Pride vs Prejudiceope Virgo and Martin Woodsford
  • Eradicate Hate: A new look at extremism: Owen Jones and Isobel Kingscott

2016-17

  • Porn Stars Speak! Voices from inside the porn industry : Vex Ashley and Samantha Bentley
  • Black Lives Matter : Wail Qasim and Tony Sewell
  • The Gender Agenda : Helen Lewis and Jack Monroe
  • Extremism, Radicalisation and the Politics of Hate : Matthew Collins, Abi Wilkinson and Haydar Zaki
  • Refugees : Nina Murray and Martha Harding
  • The War on the War on Drugs : Jason Reed, Neil Woods and Anne-Marie Cockburn
  • Workplace Sexism : Shami Chakrabarti and Cathy Newman

2015-16

  • Should sex work be decriminalised? : Laura Lee
  • Political violence or peaceful protest? : Jo Berry and Pat Magee
  • Closing the borders? Migration in Britain : Steve Woofle, Sir Bob Russell and Johnathan Portes
  • Death penalty: Does it deter crime? : Ben Gunn and Oliver Robertson
  • Nothing to hide; nothing to fear: the balance between surveillance and privacy : Shami Charkrabarti and Julian Richards
  • The Syrian refugee crisis: What to do? : Maurice Wren, Maria Wilby and Abdul Razouk
  • War on drugs? Time for legislation? : Danny Kushlick