Sheldonian Series
The Sheldonian Series is a termly event convened by the Vice-Chancellor aimed to promote discussions about the big issues of the day, informed by our commitment to free and inclusive speech, diversity of thought and the vibrant exchange of ideas. This event is open to all students and staff, and will feature scholars and voices from a range of fields and viewpoints.
Sheldonian Series
The Sheldonian Series continues this academic year, centring around issues relating to 'Power'.
The series will explore 'Cancel Culture' in Michaelmas term (Tuesday 21 October 2025), ‘Activism’ in Hilary term (Wednesday 4 February 2026) and the theme of ‘Satire’ in Trinity term (Wednesday 20 May 2026).
Register your interest to be notified when registration opens for the next event in the series:
Past events
Sheldonian Series: Cancel Culture
The first event of the series for this academic year took place on Tuesday 21 October 2025. The panel discussed 'Cancel Culture' - whether cancellation a threat to free expression, or a necessary means of accountability. You can view a recording of the event below or read the news story here.
Panellists:
- David Isaac (moderator) - Provost of Worcester College
- Sunder Katwala - Director of the British Future think tank
- Helen Mountfield KC - Principal of Mansfield College and trustee for Index on Censorship
- Zoe Williams - Journalist, columnist and author at The Guardian
- Lord Young of Acton - General Secretary of the Free Speech Union and Conservative peer
Sheldonian Series: Truth
The third event in the series took place on Tuesday 13 May 2025. A recording of the event is available to watch below. You can read the news story here.
Speakers
- Moderator: Richard Ovenden, OBE, Bodley’s Librarian and the Helen Hamlyn Director of the University Libraries, Head of Gardens, Libraries, & Museums (GLAM), University of Oxford;
- Panellist: Mitali Mukherjee, Director of the Reuters Institute, University of Oxford;
- Panellist: Professor Kimberley Johnson, Professor of Social and Cultural Analysis at New York University and Winant Visiting Professor of American Government, University of Oxford;
- Panellist: Fraser Nelson, journalist at The Times newspaper and columnist and editor of The Spectator from 2009-2024.
Sheldonian Series: Life
The second event in the series took place on Tuesday 11 February 2025. A recording of the event is available to watch below. You can read the news story about the event here.
Host:
- Professor Irene Tracey, CBE, FRS, FMedSci
Speakers:
- Professor Jayne Birkby, Associate Professor of Exoplanetary Science
- Rev Canon Prof Luke Bretherton, Regius Professor of Moral & Pastoral Theology
- Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt FRS FREng, Principal of Jesus College and Professorial Research Fellow in Computing Science
Sheldonian Series: Democracy
The inaugural event in the series took place on Monday 25 November 2024.
Read our news story: Sheldonian Series launches with an energetic and open exchange of views on 'Democracy'.
Moderator:
- Rachel Sylvester, Political Columnist at The Times
Speakers:
- Henry Zeffman, BBC Chief Political Correspondent
- Sonia Sodha, Chief Leader Writer and a Columnist at the Observer
- Professor Ben Ansell, Professor of Comparative Democratic Institutions
- Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America and former Director of Policy Planning at the US State Department
- Professor Simon Johnson, Nobel Prize winner in Economics Sciences