On Wednesday 6th February, Nic Cheeseman, Professor of Democracy and International Development at the University of Birmingham, visited the Sixth Form to deliver a lecture entitled “How to Rig an Election: Lessons from Ten Years Working in the Field”. In a fascinating and eye-opening presentation, Professor Cheeseman discussed the various ways in which dictators, throughout history, have sought to hold on to power. He also discussed the demise of democracy, and the fact that, despite more and more countries holding elections, fewer and fewer are actually of good quality, and the populations of those countries are, on the whole, ‘less free’ than before they became democracies. Anybody interested in finding out more can purchase Professor Cheeseman’s book, entitled How to Rig an Election, co-authored by Brian Klaas.
Future ready: Year 12 explore university pathways
It was a privilege for our year 12 pupils attend a jam-packed morning of higher education sessions given by leading academics and admissions staff from Birmingham, Aston, Warwick, Leicester and Nottingham Universities.
