Equality Action Public Lecture 2025 – Communities: After the Riots

29th Jan 2025

📅 Date: Thursday, 20th February 2025
⏰ Time: Pre-lecture reception at 6:00 PM, Lecture begins at 7:00 PM
📍 Venue: Loughborough University, EHB110A 
🎟 Free to Attend – Booking Required 👉 Reserve your ticket

What Does ‘Community’ Mean in Today’s Society?

How do we build stronger, more inclusive communities in the face of social and political unrest? What makes a community thrive, and what threatens its cohesion? How do we navigate differences without erasing them?

These questions sit at the heart of this year’s Equality Action Annual Public Lecture, featuring Baroness Ruth Lister as keynote speaker. A leading authority on social justice, poverty and citizenship, Baroness Lister brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this timely discussion.

Join us as we explore the strengths and challenges of modern communities, particularly in the wake of unrest and division.

About Our Keynote Speaker – Baroness Ruth Lister

Baroness Ruth Lister CBE FBA FAcSS is an Emeritus Professor of Social Policy at Loughborough University and a Labour member of the House of Lords. A former Director of the Child Poverty Action Group and now its Honorary President, she has spent her career advocating for social justice, poverty reduction and inclusive policymaking. She is also Vice Chair of Compass and Patron of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum.

Her lecture will challenge us to reflect on what community means, why it matters and how we can build spaces where differences are valued rather than erased.

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Following the keynote speech, a panel of distinguished experts will offer insights and engage in a Q&A session, giving attendees the opportunity to dive deeper into the discussion.

🗣️ Panel Members:

• Richard Herrick – Asylum Policy Officer, East Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership
• Helen Carter – CEO, Loughborough Wellbeing Centre
• Veronica Moore – Director of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Services, Loughborough University
• Dr Jeevun Sandher – MP for Loughborough

📌 Event Schedule:

• 6:00 PM – Pre-lecture reception with refreshments (EHB atrium)
• 6:45 PM – Audience seated
• 7:00 PM – Chair’s introduction & keynote speech (7:05 – 7:40 PM)
• 7:45 PM – Panel introductions
• 8:00 PM – Q&A session
• 8:30 PM – Event concludes

Parking & Accessibility

🚗 General Parking: We recommend using Car Park 5 (Pre-pay online or via phone)
♿ Accessible Parking: Car Park 1 is designated for Blue Badge holders only.

📍 Campus Map: Loughborough University Campus Map

Reserve Your Spot 

This is a unique opportunity to hear from one of the UK’s leading voices on social justice and take part in an important conversation about the future of our communities.

🎟 Secure your free ticket: Book here

For more information, contact 01509 261651 or email contact@equalityaction.org.uk.