Forthcoming Events in our 2025-2026 Programme
Our meetings are held at Seven Arts 31A Harrogate Rd, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3PD.
If possible please arrive by 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. There will be a £6 entrance fee to cover costs.
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Our Scheduled Events in 2025-26:
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Forthcoming Talk:
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 10th December starting at 7.30p, at Seven Arts 31A Harrogate Road
Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3PD. Please arrive by 7.15pm to allow a prompt start. Please note that the usual arrangements for paying at the door by cash or card will be in place.
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`Some Consequences of Thatcherism on Higher Education', a talk by Dr Hugh Hubbard
About the talk
During March-April 2025 on Radio 4 as part of The History Podcast, David Dimbleby presented a six-part series "Invisible Hands" tracing the history of Free Market Capitalism through Hayek, Keith Joseph, Privatization, the Big Bang of 1986, James Goldsmith to Thames Water. However, this excellent series did not address the impact on education and the rise of managerialism. In this talk I shall explore some of the consequences of the idea of "Free Market Capitalism" on Higher Education and the significant role played by Keith Joseph, Minister of Education 1981-86 and erstwhile MP for Leeds North-East (this constituency!).
Many of the education policies initiated during the Thatcher government did not manifest until the 1990s through to today. This talk will look at some of the seeds sown during the 1980s and the developments during the subsequent decades with the rise of managerialism in Higher Education; the talk will be illustrated through some of the consequences at the University of Leeds.
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About Hugh Hubbard
Dr Hugh Hubbard was a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Leeds working on materials science and the development of batteries. He has been active within the UCU (University and Colleges Union) and the forerunner union, the AUT, for 30 years.
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Future Talks will include:
Dr Hugh Hubbard Some Consequences of Thatcherism on Higher Education
January 14th , ‘UK dentistry in the 21st century - back to the future? By Tom Thayer, Consultant in Oral Surgery.
A talk about the Leeds Climate Action Project
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​You can contact use via email at cafeeconomqiueleeds2019@gmail.com, and visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cafeeconomiqueleeds.
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If you would prefer to use your phone you can access our Facebook page by scanning the following QR code into your camera:
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​​​​You can also contact us via our' Contact Us' page, which you access by clicking on the 'More' icon, you can contact us, send us a message or, if you wish, ask to join our mailing list, which we will only use to advertise our own events and events from other organisations which we think you may also be interested in. We would also love to hear your suggestions for topics or speakers for our future events.
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