Reimagining Educational Futures: Diagnosis and Prognosis Speaker: Professor Susan L. Robertson, University of Manchester, UK; Fellow Wolfson College, University of CambridgeChair: Dr Lindsey Horner, Lecturer in Education in International Development, University of EdinburghAbout this eventDuring periods of rupture, major crises, and social transformations, speculations around how best to understand the present, and what kind of future might we imagine and materialise, come to the fore? What role does and should education play in this, and who gets to have a say? In this keynote I engage with, and explore, three main questions which I argue are central to reimagining education futures: First, what are the problems facing education systems around the globe that need resolving (diagnosis)? Second, which futures are being imagined by whom? (prognosis), and third, what frameworks might we use to evaluate the desirability or not of these proposals (ethics/reflexivity)? I conclude, drawing on the work of Hannah Arendt, to argue that educators have a special responsibility in this task.About the speakerSusan is Professor of Sociology of Education, now currently attached to the University of Manchester, UK. Prior to that she held a substantive position as Professor of Sociology at the University of Cambridge, and was Head of Faculty. Susan continues as a Fellow of Wolfson College, University of Cambridge. She has written extensively on education politics, space, governing and social justice. She is also founding editor of Globalisation, Societies and Education.This will be an in-person only event, held in Godfrey Thomson Hall, Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh.The lecture will run from 17:30-18:30 and will be followed immediately by a drinks reception in the same venue.For any enquiries, please contact us at MHSES-REI-Events@ed.ac.uk. Tags Education events Social Justice and Inclusion Research centres, groups and networks Conferences, seminars and lectures Feb 24 2026 17.30 - 18.30 Reimagining Educational Futures: Diagnosis and Prognosis This public lecture, hosted by the Social Justice and Inclusion Thematic Hub, and featuring Professor Susan Robertson, is part of the Stewart Alan Robertson Lecture Series funded by the Robertson Endowment and will be followed immediately by a drinks reception in the same venue. Godfrey Thomson Hall Thomson's Land Moray House School of Education and Sport University of Edinburgh Holyrood Road Edinburgh EH8 8AQ Register on Eventbrite by 19th February
Reimagining Educational Futures: Diagnosis and Prognosis Speaker: Professor Susan L. Robertson, University of Manchester, UK; Fellow Wolfson College, University of CambridgeChair: Dr Lindsey Horner, Lecturer in Education in International Development, University of EdinburghAbout this eventDuring periods of rupture, major crises, and social transformations, speculations around how best to understand the present, and what kind of future might we imagine and materialise, come to the fore? What role does and should education play in this, and who gets to have a say? In this keynote I engage with, and explore, three main questions which I argue are central to reimagining education futures: First, what are the problems facing education systems around the globe that need resolving (diagnosis)? Second, which futures are being imagined by whom? (prognosis), and third, what frameworks might we use to evaluate the desirability or not of these proposals (ethics/reflexivity)? I conclude, drawing on the work of Hannah Arendt, to argue that educators have a special responsibility in this task.About the speakerSusan is Professor of Sociology of Education, now currently attached to the University of Manchester, UK. Prior to that she held a substantive position as Professor of Sociology at the University of Cambridge, and was Head of Faculty. Susan continues as a Fellow of Wolfson College, University of Cambridge. She has written extensively on education politics, space, governing and social justice. She is also founding editor of Globalisation, Societies and Education.This will be an in-person only event, held in Godfrey Thomson Hall, Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh.The lecture will run from 17:30-18:30 and will be followed immediately by a drinks reception in the same venue.For any enquiries, please contact us at MHSES-REI-Events@ed.ac.uk. Tags Education events Social Justice and Inclusion Research centres, groups and networks Conferences, seminars and lectures Feb 24 2026 17.30 - 18.30 Reimagining Educational Futures: Diagnosis and Prognosis This public lecture, hosted by the Social Justice and Inclusion Thematic Hub, and featuring Professor Susan Robertson, is part of the Stewart Alan Robertson Lecture Series funded by the Robertson Endowment and will be followed immediately by a drinks reception in the same venue. Godfrey Thomson Hall Thomson's Land Moray House School of Education and Sport University of Edinburgh Holyrood Road Edinburgh EH8 8AQ Register on Eventbrite by 19th February
Feb 24 2026 17.30 - 18.30 Reimagining Educational Futures: Diagnosis and Prognosis This public lecture, hosted by the Social Justice and Inclusion Thematic Hub, and featuring Professor Susan Robertson, is part of the Stewart Alan Robertson Lecture Series funded by the Robertson Endowment and will be followed immediately by a drinks reception in the same venue.
