Pioneers: Stuart Hall

Discover the University of Birmingham pioneers who have studied, innovated and inspired in Birmingham and beyond for over a century. 

Stuart Hall was born in Jamaica and came to Britain in 1951 to read English at Oxford University. He moved to Birmingham in 1964, founding the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies at the University of Birmingham with Richard Hoggart. At the Centre, Hall pioneered a new field - Cultural Studies - which transformed the ways in which we understand popular culture, politics, everyday life, class, race, gender and sexuality. Cultural Studies now informs research in universities across the globe.

In this talk, Professor Nick Beech will provide an account of Hall’s work at the Centre, how he collaborated with his students and colleagues, and how the people, life, culture and politics of Birmingham were central to that.

 In 2025 the University is celebrating 125 years. This milestone marks a legacy of driving change and shaping society. The public programme at the Exchange explores boundary pushing research of the past, present and future. Come along and discover how University research impacts you, and help us shape the future together.