Childism, Children’s Rights and the Challenge of Children’s Empowerment Speaker: John Wall, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Religion, and Childhood Studies at Rutgers University - Camden, New Jersey, USAAbout this eventThis talk introduces the concept of childism. Childism has emerged in academic and social movements in the past decade as a critical theory akin to feminism, anti-racism, and decolonialism. What is distinct about childism is that it focuses on the specific empowerment of children as children. Children are a third of the world’s population, yet they find themselves marginalised in many domains of politics, economics, climate policy and cultural expression. All too often their human rights are not recognised nor realised. What kinds of adultism or patriarchy do children face? How are children and their allies fighting and organising against it? And how would greater responsiveness to children transform deeply-rooted beliefs and power structures?About the speakerJohn Wall is a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Religion and Childhood Studies, and Director of the Childism Institute at Rutgers University, United States. His nine books, journal articles and public media explore the intersection of political philosophy and children’s rights. He is best known for developing the critical theory of childism, or children’s social empowerment, as well as for research and advocacy around children’s rights to vote.This will be an in-person only event, held in the Usha Kasera Lecture Theatre.For any enquiries, please contact us at: MHSES-REI-Events@ed.ac.ukWe would like to acknowledge the support and collaborations for this lecture and the linked Talbot Rice Gallery Exhibition (‘The Children are Now,’ Oct 2025-Feb 2026):The Binks HubCAHSS Challenge Investment Fund, University of EdinburghCentre for Research on Families and RelationshipsChildren’s ParliamentChildren and Young People Thematic Hub, MHSES University of EdinburghChildhood and Youth Theme, CAHSS University of EdinburghThe Talbot Rice Gallery Tags Children and Young People Nov 28 2025 17.30 - 19.00 Childism, Children’s Rights and the Challenge of Children’s Empowerment This public lecture, hosted by the Children and Young People Thematic Hub and partners, and featuring Distinguished Professor John Wall, is part of the Stewart Alan Robertson Lecture Series funded by the Robertson Endowment. Usha Kasera Lecture Theatre Old College University of Edinburgh South Bridge Edinburgh EH8 9YL Register on Eventbrite by 25th November
Childism, Children’s Rights and the Challenge of Children’s Empowerment Speaker: John Wall, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Religion, and Childhood Studies at Rutgers University - Camden, New Jersey, USAAbout this eventThis talk introduces the concept of childism. Childism has emerged in academic and social movements in the past decade as a critical theory akin to feminism, anti-racism, and decolonialism. What is distinct about childism is that it focuses on the specific empowerment of children as children. Children are a third of the world’s population, yet they find themselves marginalised in many domains of politics, economics, climate policy and cultural expression. All too often their human rights are not recognised nor realised. What kinds of adultism or patriarchy do children face? How are children and their allies fighting and organising against it? And how would greater responsiveness to children transform deeply-rooted beliefs and power structures?About the speakerJohn Wall is a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Religion and Childhood Studies, and Director of the Childism Institute at Rutgers University, United States. His nine books, journal articles and public media explore the intersection of political philosophy and children’s rights. He is best known for developing the critical theory of childism, or children’s social empowerment, as well as for research and advocacy around children’s rights to vote.This will be an in-person only event, held in the Usha Kasera Lecture Theatre.For any enquiries, please contact us at: MHSES-REI-Events@ed.ac.ukWe would like to acknowledge the support and collaborations for this lecture and the linked Talbot Rice Gallery Exhibition (‘The Children are Now,’ Oct 2025-Feb 2026):The Binks HubCAHSS Challenge Investment Fund, University of EdinburghCentre for Research on Families and RelationshipsChildren’s ParliamentChildren and Young People Thematic Hub, MHSES University of EdinburghChildhood and Youth Theme, CAHSS University of EdinburghThe Talbot Rice Gallery Tags Children and Young People Nov 28 2025 17.30 - 19.00 Childism, Children’s Rights and the Challenge of Children’s Empowerment This public lecture, hosted by the Children and Young People Thematic Hub and partners, and featuring Distinguished Professor John Wall, is part of the Stewart Alan Robertson Lecture Series funded by the Robertson Endowment. Usha Kasera Lecture Theatre Old College University of Edinburgh South Bridge Edinburgh EH8 9YL Register on Eventbrite by 25th November
Nov 28 2025 17.30 - 19.00 Childism, Children’s Rights and the Challenge of Children’s Empowerment This public lecture, hosted by the Children and Young People Thematic Hub and partners, and featuring Distinguished Professor John Wall, is part of the Stewart Alan Robertson Lecture Series funded by the Robertson Endowment.
