Watch the highlights from Birkbeck Connects – our debates about east London
Leading artists, journalists and academics discussed the creativity and innovation of east London
Leading artists, journalists and academics discussed the creativity and innovation of east London during three lively debates organised by Birkbeck. The three-part series of events, called Birkbeck Connects, also featured a breathtaking display on the trapeze and performances by young poets.
The events took place in autumn 2013 to celebrate the opening of University Square Stratford. USS is a new state-of-the-art £33 million university campus shared by Birkbeck, University of London, and the University of East London.
Video highlights of all of the events are available below. The first video is a compilation of all of the debates. The remaining three focus on each of the individual events.
Birkbeck Connects, selected highlights: exploring creativity in east London
Birkbeck Connects, part 1: east London – a creative business
Panellists: Gavin Poole (CEO of iCITY), Vivian Archer (manager of the Newham Bookshop), Amica Dall (director of Assemble), Hadrian Garrard (director of CREATE London), Alvin Carpio (community organiser for Catch22) and Dr Sophie Hope (lecturer in Arts Management at Birkbeck)
Birkbeck Connects, part 2: east London – real and imagined
Panellists: Jerry White (Professor of History at Birkbeck), Stella Duffy (theatre director and writer), Andi Osho (comedian), Hugh Muir (journalist), and Freddie Opoku-Addaie (choreographer and performer)
Birkbeck Connects, part 3: creative east London – who’s it for? who cares?
Panellists: Ruth MacKenzie CBE (former director of the Cultural Olympiad), Sarah Weir OBE (chief executive of The Legacy List), Kerry Michael (artistic director and chief executive of the Theatre Royal), Emma Underhill (director and curator of UP Projects), Jay Miller (artistic director of The Yard Theatre), Rob Swain (Professor of Theatre Practice at Birkbeck) and Dr Ben Cranfield (lecturer in Arts Management at Birkbeck)
Professor Philip Dewe, Vice-Master of Birkbeck, said: “Birkbeck Connects was a fantastic opportunity to discuss the reality of east London – a place associated with creativity, innovation, and many myths. Birkbeck is playing its part in the regeneration of the area by promoting learning and raising aspirations at University Square Stratford – the splendid new campus in the heart of Stratford.”
Reports about the three events are also available:
- Birkbeck Connects, part 1: east London – a creative business
- Birkbeck Connects, part 2: east London – real and imagined
- Birkbeck Connects, part 3: creative east London – who’s it for? who cares?