Bringing Birmingham to You: US Election Special

Location
Online - a link will be sent to you before the event
Dates
Thursday 8 October 2020 (20:00-21:30)

Bringing Birmingham to You – US Election Special

Thursday 8 October
8.00pm – 9.30pm BST | 3.00pm - 4.30pm EST | 12.00pm - 1.30pm PST
Zoom – link to follow

This is the most important American election since 1945, and possibly since 1860 before the Civil War. These are not only decisions on the White House and Congress, but on the fate of the US system and the country's values.

Join panellists Scott Lucas, Michell Chresfield and Liam Kennedy for a unique take on the upcoming US presidential election. Professor Robin Mason, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) will chair an informative discussion and then welcome you to put your questions to the panel.

A basic understanding of the American political system will be beneficial.

About the panellists:

Professor Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics and Professor of American Studies. 
Scott began his career as a specialist in US and British foreign policy, but his research interests now also cover current international affairs. A professional journalist since 1979, Scott is the founder and editor of EA WorldView, a leading website in daily news and analysis of Iran, Turkey, Syria, and the wider Middle East, as well as US foreign policy.

Dr Michell Chresfield, Lecturer in United States History. 
Michell's research interests include cultural and intellectual history, the history of science and medicine, and the history of racial formation and identity making in twentieth century America. Prior to joining UoB she was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pittsburgh, a liberal arts college in the United States.

Professor Liam Kennedy, Director of the Clinton Institute for American Studies at University College Dublin.
Liam has diverse research interests and teaching experiences, spanning the fields of American cultural and media studies, globalisation and Irish-US relations. He is the author or editor of nine books and is founding editor of America Unfiltered, a media platform for commentary on contemporary American foreign policy, politics and media.

Steve Bridges, former Diplomat and Consul General
In his 30 year career as a Diplomat, Stephen served the UK in Africa, Asia and the USA including as Ambassador to Cambodia, acting High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh and as Her Majesty’s Consul General for the Midwest USA in Chicago until August 2017. Stephen also has extensive private sector experience having worked in the renewable energy and natural resources sectors and most recently as an international trade and political economy consultant in USA. He now represents the US State of Indiana in UK and serves as an advisor to the UK financial and professional services sector. He holds several non-Executive Directorships and has an honorary doctorate from the University of Birmingham.