lecturer; researcher; co-author, Volunteer Tourism: the lifestyle politics of international development
Jim is the author or three books and numerous papers and articles on tourism and culture, most recently ‘Volunteer Tourism: The Lifestyle Politics of International Development’ with Pete Smith. He has written for THES, spiked and has appeared on TV and radio commenting on the tourism industry and its critics. Jim is a defender of mass tourism and runs the Tourism’s Horizon: Travel for the Millions project. Jim is on the advisory board of Academics for Academic Freedom – where he convenes the Canterbury and Kent branch.
In his spare time, Jim follows the mighty Derby County and occasionally blogs.
Emma is currently a lecturer in criminology at the University of Kent, as well as an ESRC PhD Candidate in sociology within the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research at the University of Kent. She is conducting a qualitative research project that investigates the changing occupational terrain of the legal aid lawyer in times of precariousness. As a lecturer at the University of Kent, Emma has taught on a variety of modules ranging from drugs, culture and control to criminal justice in modern Britain. Outside of her academic work, Emma is also a University and Schools ambassador for the University of Kent, an ESRC South East DTC student representative and she teaches Zumba in her spare time.
Catherine is a retired solicitor/senior lecturer, having been employed by the University of Kent in the Kent Law Clinic for over 20 years to supervise and teach undergraduate law students. The Kent Law Clinic is a free legal and advice service for the public in which law students work on cases under supervision. Catherine undertook a wide range of work but primarily employment and in latter years, asylum and immigration. Since her retirement she has been looking after grandchildren and volunteering for Kent Refugee Help, a small local charity. She visits foreign national prisoners facing deportation and helps them access legal advice.
Verity is an ESRC PhD candidate in Social Policy with the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research at the University of Kent. Verity is conducting a qualitative research project that investigates the workings of risk consciousness in the provision and use of the Emergency Contraceptive Pill in the UK. As an assistant lecturer at the University of Kent, Verity has taught seminars and given lecturers to undergraduates on modules from social policy to reproductive health. Outside of her PhD work, Verity has been a Trustee for the sexual health charity the FPA, sits on the board of public advisors for SXT and lobbies for women’s sexual and reproductive health rights in the UK.
Tobias studied politics and international relations at the University of Kent in Canterbury and subsequently worked for Conservative Campaign Headquarters. He also interned at the Academy of Ideas in 2017. He is a keen amateur footballer, playing in goal for Fairfield FC in his hometown of Burgess Hill and a long term Liverpool FC supporter.
Alan was elected to Medway Council in 1997. He has been a member of Medway Cabinet since 2001. Alan was deputy leader from 2001 to 2015 and has been the leader from 2015 to the present day.
His portfolio responsibilities are strategic leadership of the council, finance and communications.
Alan is interested in country sports and Tottenham Hotspur FC.
He is a business consultant and author of 11 books on country sports and the countryside, together with over 1,200 published articles in the national sporting press.
chief executive, Ideas Matter
Geoff is chief executive of the Ideas Matter charity, which organises Debating Matters, and the residential schools Living Freedom and The Academy. He also supervises administration and event management for the Battle of Ideas festival, runs the associate member scheme for the Academy of Ideas and convenes its’ Book Club. Geoff is the office resident expert in sports.
Richard taught subjects ranging from Classics to History, Mathematics to De Bono’s Thinking Skills in independent and maintained schools, finally becoming a deputy head in a secondary school in Kent. Richard then taught in five universities, finally as Director of Teacher Education at the University of Hull. In addition, Richard has been a law lecturer in a university Centre for Policing Studies. His publications are in mathematics, education and in the law of education. Richard’s current job is being the South West Regional Secretary of the teacher trade union NASUWT.
Beth worked as a fundraiser and charity manager before co-founding the Centre for Philanthropy at the University of Kent, where she now leads a team conducting research and teaching courses on philanthropy and fundraising, including the first MA Philanthropic Studies outside of North America. She researched and wrote the annual Coutts Million Pound Donor Report from 2008-2017, co-authored Richer Lives: why rich people give (2013), The Logic of Charity: Great Expectations in Hard Times (2015) and co-edited The Philanthropy Reader (2016). Her latest book The New Fundraisers: who organises charitable giving in contemporary society? won the AFP Skystone Research Partners book prize for 2018
Richard has been head of additional learning support at Canterbury College for three years. Prior to that he was the college’s diversity adviser. He has also worked in a variety of fields from care to fine art for auctioneers; all of which have helped shape his views on various fronts.
He is a practising artist and completed a PhD in Art History and Philosophy at UKC.
