A popular social historian and writer, whose parents studied at Lancaster, is all set to host the University’s first free Public Lecture of 2024 which examines the general university experience.

Professor Joe Moran will speak at the event (6pm to 8pm) on Thursday, February 22, at The Storey in Lancaster city centre.

In this revealing and thought-provoking lecture titled ‘Degrees of separation: Universities then, now and tomorrow’, Professor Moran will draw on the experience of his parents and look at how the general university experience has changed over 60 years.

He will discuss ‘the university’ as an ideal and as a real place and will explore both the theoretical and practical aspects asking what a university should stand for, who should be allowed to study there and what should a degree lead to?

He will also discuss if universities still have value as a physical space in an age of online learning?

Professor Moran is a lecturer in English and Cultural History at Liverpool John Moores University and has a particular interest in the cultural and social history of the everyday.

His parents came to study at Lancaster University when it first opened in 1964.

They were from working-class backgrounds, with non-standard qualifications, and Lancaster was the only university to accept them.

Tickets for the free lecture are limited and available to reserve here.

Complimentary drinks will follow the lecture.