Economics Symposium 2026# Expand for Programme
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9.30am -10.15am |
Introduction and Facts - Richard Glover Richard Glover is a former consultant in electronics who specialised in medical imaging and treatment instruments, and hearing protection. He has studied and taught Economics and Philosophy in the School for many years and has headed the Economics Faculty for the past six. A particular interest is the relationship between property rights and the common good, which mirrors some aspects of the migration challenge. |
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10.15am - 11.00am
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History, Global movements over Millenia - David Hipshon Dr Hipshon’s talk will aim to give a broad historical perspective of migration, with a few case studies relevant to Britain and elsewhere, in order to discern any patterns or general principles which might inform current debate. Dr David Hipshon is an historian who has taught the subject for many years. For both his Master’s degree at Cambridge and his PhD at King’s College London he specialised in British and European Medieval History. He has written two books on Richard III and is currently completing one on Cosimode’ Medici. He has also written numerous articles on a wide range of historical themes and on the teaching of history for BBC History Magazine, History Today, the Journal of Ecclesiastical History and others. The Case for Gradual Change - Ian Alston Edmund Burke believed that the interests of the whole should always prevail and that changes, especially to the population should always be gradual. Change in society large comes through the efforts of individuals and is made lasting through the setting up of groups. Burke himself integrated 50 refugee children from France into English society. The inspiring story of a lady who in retirement has devoted her life to forming Buddy groups for refugees follows. Ian Alston spent his career teaching in secondary schools but believes he came closest to mastering the art when, in retirement, he taught children in primary schools through conversation. A migrant from the Antipodes, he has long been Chair of The Edmund Burke Society. Q&A: 5 minutes as time allows |
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11.00am - 11.30am |
Tea, coffee |
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11.30am - 12.30pm
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How to Enter and remain in the UK Legally - Ian Mason Ian will outline the current system for legal immigration into the UK including obtaining leave to remain, asylum claims and the role of the Human Rights Act and Judicial Review. Ian Mason is a former barrister who has also served as Principal and Head of Law and Economics in the School. He has studied and taught Practical Philosophy and Economics-with-Justice in the School for many years and is the author of two books on Economics-with-Justice: One World, One Wealth (2013) and Economics Live (2025). The Council of Europe, ECHR - John Meltzer John Meltzer was a partner in the London office of the global law firm Hogan Lovells for over 25 years. His practice focussed on international litigation including class actions and cross-border disputes in over 35 different countries. He also worked with various NGOs, such as the Open Society Foundations, in promoting the observance of human rights and bringing claims on behalf of victims of state torture before the UN Human Rights Committee. Q&A: 10 minutes as time allows |
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12.30pm-1.30pm |
Lunch |
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1.30pm-2.30pm |
Experiences After Arrival - John De Val John De Val explores what the arrangements are at present for asylum seekers and the conditions for granting asylum, and draws on his personal experience of what asylum seekers told him about the conditions in their home countries, why they had headed for the UK, and the pressures they were under while awaiting their case to be determined. John De Val is now retired following positions working on economic and financial matters in transport and water industries, in both public and private sectors. John maintains a lifelong interest in economics by tutoring classes in the subject with both the School and the University of the Third Age in Cambridge. In the past he has also volunteered as a visitor to an asylum seeker reception centre. |
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2.30pm-3.00pm |
Tea, coffee |
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3.00pm-4.00pm |
Policy - Dr Andrew Purves Immigration policy is hard, involves choices and trade-offs, either beneficial to the host country or the new arrivals, but not everyone can come in. We examine recent Policies operating in the UK and ideas from around the world, to help decide what is appropriate.for an ageing western economy in search of growth. Andrew Purves took a Master’s in Spatial Planning in 2016/18, at the Bartlett School of Planning, UCL, and was awarded a PhD in 2023 from the same School. He has a special interest in the concept of Economic Rent, how it arises and is captured by landowners, whereas it could be collected as public revenue. Andrew has taught Economics with Justice at the School of Philosophy and Economic Science in London for 20 years. He is now working as a Research Fellow at UCL, in London. The Danish Model - Richard Glover Traditionally an open and egalitarian country, radical policy shifts over recent decades have made Denmark's immigration policy one of the most restrictive. The result are dramatic, inspiring others to consider the same. Not everyone is happy, but is it the way to go? |
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4.00pm-5.00pm |
Panel discussion and Q&A |