Debating in the University

By emmaeanthony on October 23, 2012 • ( 0 )

With the US Presidential debates ringing in our ears, we were reminded of Glasgow University’s debating tradition.

Programme for the Queen Margaret Union Parliamentary debate of 1925

Debate and discourse have long been encouraged at the University, with key note speakers such as Dame Sybil Thorndyke, below, taking part and opening discussion.

Dame Sybille Thorndike after addressing students, c1930s

The University has played host to a variety of speakers, both in a teaching and recreational capacity, with the purpose of encouraging debate and discourse among its students, including writers such as Janice Galloway, and Liz Lochhead.

Glasgow University Union is also credited with playing an important role in the establishment of the World Universities Debating Championship, the largest international student competition of its kind.

Evidence of Students’ debating skills, as well as their social, political, and moral beliefs, can be found throughout several of our collections, including the Records of the Queen Margaret Union, the Records of Glasgow University Union, the Records of the Student Representatives Council, and the Records of the Dialectic Society, as well as the records of several political societies.

If you are interested in finding out more about these collections, please contact us.