You are warmly invited to the Local Governance Research Centre (LGRC) Inaugural Annual Lecture at DMU, which is titled ‘The Challenges of Remaking the Geo-Constitution in England: Understanding the History, Geography and Politics of (De)Centralisation, Devolution and Localism’. It takes place on Thursday 31 January, 5.30-7.30pm, in Lecture Theatre 0.08, Hugh Aston Building.
The lecture will be delivered by Professor Jane Wills (University of Exeter) and will explore the shifting geography of English statecraft over the last 500 years, focusing on the challenges encountered in recent efforts to decentralise, devolve and localise political decision making.
The concept of the geo-constitution will be used to expose the importance of having the institutional and social infrastructure required to underpin the localisation of political power. Building on work already published in Locating Localism: Statecraft, Citizenship and Democracy (2016, Policy Press), the lecture will include new research conducted to explore the process and impact of asset transfer to a number of Cornish town councils.
This research exposes the importance of mundane facilities such as parks, roundabouts and toilets to the public, and the role of these assets in (re)empowering a rescaled local government.
The lecture will be followed by responses from two prestigious speakers: Sarah Longlands (Director, IPPR North) and Mark Sandford (House of Commons Library). The event will be an opportunity to critically reflect on the politics and practice of localism, the prospects and challenges of devolution and the future of local government.
The evening begins at 5.30pm with a reception. The lecture will start at 6pm and after the talk and discussion there will be a drinks and canapés reception in the Hugh Aston Atrium.
If you would like to attend please email eventsoffice@dmu.ac.uk, highlighting any dietary or access requirements that you may have.
If you require any further information or have any queries, then please do not hesitate to contact the Events Office on eventsoffice@dmu.ac.uk or call 0116 250 6066.
Please note spaces are limited so it is advisable to confirm your attendance as soon as possible.
We do hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be a very interesting event.
Posted on Wednesday 16 January 2019