Class and Culture Conference
Key Information:
- Date and time
- Sat 21 October 2023
09:00 - 17:00 - Location
- Watershed, 1 Canons Road, Further info
- Contact
- Dr Craig Johnston c.johnston@uwe.ac.uk
- Cost
- Free
- Attendance
- Booking required
Description
Class as an analytical category has fallen out of favour within many areas of academia while the material impact of class continues to affect the lives of the working class who are strategically excluded from the public sphere. Questions of class do not correspond to single theories or practices, nor are they geographically confined. Building on the work of the Journal of Class and Culture and drawing on a wide and diverse range of academics and non-academics, encompassing various methodological and epistemological approaches the aim of this one-day conference is to provide a platform for an engagement with and an analysis of class. By considering class in its various forms – cultural, structural, social, and economic – the conference will demonstrate the heterogenous, dynamic, and multifaceted nature of class.
With a special focus on the class and culture the conference aims to bring together working-class academics, practitioners, and researchers from across a range of educational and public sector settings. It is open to all, specifically those who are interested in themes including education, media, sociology, criminology, psychology, community development and public health. By approaching the question of class from both historical and contemporary perspectives as an engagement with the everyday and addressing subjects and events which might appear insignificant or disconnected - but when viewed through the lens of class become important – reveals much about the societies in which we live. We welcome anyone, especially those with lived experience of the conference themes, individuals or groups who want to get more informed on issues related to class and culture and those who are keen to envision a positive future for the working-class.
This is a collaborative event by UWE Bristol, University of Hertfordshire and Intellect.
Programme
9:30 | Welcome (Tea and coffee) |
10:00 | Introductions with Deirdre O'Neill and Craig Johnston |
10:30 | Panel one: What is Class? Mike Wayne (Chair) with Dan Evans, Lisa McKenzie and Sarah McLaughlin. |
11:30 | Questions and discussion |
12:00 | Panel two: What is Culture? Dan Evans (Chair) with Mike Wayne, Phil Cohen and Orla O'Connor |
13:00 | Questions and discussion |
13:00 | Lunch in the café |
13:30 | Panel three: Class and Education Craig Johnston (Chair) with Peter Shulkie, Richard Waller, Iona Burnell Reilly |
14:30 | Questions and discussion |
15:00 | Panel four: Class and the Media Kat Flint Nicol (Chair) with Rachel Broady, Thirza Wakefield, Melanie Williams |
16:00 | Questions and discussion |
16:30 | Closing plenary with Robert Francis |
Registration and tickets
The conference is free to attend but places are very limited, so book soon.
You can book a place by emailing Dr Craig Johnston at c.johnston@uwe.ac.uk.
- Cost: Free
- Attendance: Booking required
Location
Watershed
1 Canons Road
Harbourside
Bristol
BS1 5TX
UK
Information about Intellect Publishers
Intellect is a fiercely independent academic publisher for scholars and practitioners teaching and researching in the arts, media and creative industries.
Best known for our work in the visual and performing arts, we provide publishing services in many subject areas, backed by over 30 years of steady growth, and a reputation for excellence in design and production.
We champion authors of original work with an international perspective and look to encourage and support critical debate in new and emerging subject areas. Our emphasis is on quality and scholarly integrity rather than simple marketability and rigorous peer review is central to our publishing process.
We are actively seeking book proposals and article length research for our journals. Find out more about Intellect Books, or contact James Campbell at james@intellectbooks.com to schedule a meeting.
Related events

Wed 22 October 2025, 18:00
Thriving While Leading: Global Majority voices from health and care
Hybrid
Join us at this BDAS event to celebrate leadership, identity and lived experience in the health and care sectors.

Mon 27 October 2025, 12:00
Atoms, algorithms, and arguments: Shaping public opinion on nuclear energy
Online
Join Zion Lights, an award-winning science communicator and environmental advocate, who will bring her expertise on shifting the global narrative on global energy.

Mon 27 October 2025, 12:00
Science communication seminar
Online
Zion Lights presents – Atoms, algorithms, and arguments: shaping public opinion on nuclear energy.

Tue 04 November 2025, 09:30
Inclusive research cultures
Enterprise Park 1 (EP1), UWE Bristol
The launch of the first Ethnic Inequality Conference organised by the Centre for Health and Clinical Research (CHCR) at UWE Bristol.

Thu 06 November 2025, 18:00
Navigating Change: leadership, creativity, and the future of publishing
Hybrid
This BDAS event explores the dynamic evolution of the publishing and creative industries through the lens of Stephen's extensive experience.

Wed 12 November 2025, 18:00
Between Digital and Physical Worlds: artists reimaging reality
Hybrid
Join Verity and a panel of artists to discover how immersive art, from VR to AR, is breaking boundaries and reimagining storytelling.

Thu 20 November 2025, 18:30
Philosophy symposium on AI ethics and being human
The Architect, 16 Narrow Quay
A public event for all interested in philosophy of AI, including a UWE Bristol Philosophy alumni reception.

Wed 26 November 2025, 16:00
Climate Change Primary Education and Research Network
Online
Join the ECRG Sustainability in Education research strand's meeting featuring guest speaker, Dr Rosamund Portus (UWE Bristol).

Wed 03 December 2025
Person-centred approaches in clinical health research
Room 1C008, UWE Bristol Glenside Campus
The personalised and inclusive methodologies and integration of psychosocial approaches in improving health outcomes for people with diagnostic uncertainty, stigma challenges and gaps in care pathways.