Vulture capitalism

Contributor(s): Professor Lelia Green, Professor Jessica Ringrose, Dr Kim Sylwander, Giselle Woodley | With the ubiquity of technological devices, young people are more visible and accessible than ever before, and they are encountering, using and producing an unprecedented amount of sexualised imagery. Although evidence suggests that ‘sexting’ is considered a normal practice among teens, there are, nonetheless, inherent risks. Teens who sext run a range of legal, financial, health, educational and sociosexual risks, yet still they do it. Apart from image-based sexual harassment and abuse, teens also face emerging risks such as AI-informed deepfakes and sextortion. In this public event, four speakers will discuss empirical findings from three different countries: Australia, Sweden and the UK.

Contributor(s): Professor Michael Posner | Join us for the launch of Conscience Incorporated by Michael Posner. In today’s world, where corporations wield immense power and influence, how can business leaders balance the pursuit of profits with ethical responsibility? Drawing from decades of experience as a human rights lawyer, former State Department official, and Director of the Centre for Business and Human Rights at NYU Stern School of Business, Posner presents a clear roadmap for business leaders to align profitability with ethical practices. Through well-researched case studies of major corporations—including Nike, Coca-Cola, Walmart, and Meta—he explores how companies can, and must, do better in addressing human rights abuses within their supply chains, labour practices, and digital platforms. With governments, particularly in Europe, stepping in to regulate corporate behaviour, Conscience Incorporated is a guide for executives, investors, and policymakers navigating the evolving landscape of corporate accountability.

Contributor(s): Professor Patrick Wallis | In his latest book, The Market for Skill: apprenticeship and economic growth in early-modern England, which forms the basis of this event, Patrick Wallis shows how apprenticeship helped reshape the English economy between 1500-1800. By detailing the activities of apprentices and masters, the strategies of ambitious parents, the interventions of guilds and the decisions of town officials, he shows how the system contributed to the growth of cities, the movement of workers, and the spread of new technologies. He argues that this success was because it was a flexible institution which allowed apprentices to change their minds and exit contracts early, providing a vital training accessible to most young people, whatever their background.

Contributor(s): Dr Nick Cowen, Dr Paola Romero | This event will explore the relationship between Rawlsian liberal egalitarianism and neoliberalism, based on Nick Cowen's book Neoliberal Social Justice. His timely and provocative book challenges the conventional wisdom that neoliberal capitalism is incompatible with social justice. In the book Nick tackles the crucial intersection of economic liberty and moral philosophy, highlighting the perspectives of John Rawls and Adam Smith. He confronts the ongoing debate between classical and egalitarian liberalism, showing how commerce does more than create consumer goods but also shapes society’s moral character, often in a positive direction. The lecture will explore how and whether market economies can be a driving force for social equality and the case for recognizing basic economic liberties as fundamental rights. This lecture is significant for anyone passionate about political theory, economics, and social justice, as Cowen illuminates the indispensable role of economic activity in developing moral powers.

Contributor(s): Professor Sir John Kay | Join us as John Kay, one of Britain’s leading economists, discusses his new book The Corporation in the 21st Century: Why (almost) everything we are told about business is wrong, a radical reappraisal of the nature and activities of business - what it is for and how it works.