Public Lecture | The State of a Nation

University of Gloucestershire presents this unique public lecture in February 2026, titled ‘The State of a Nation’, where , former national security professional in UK Government, National Security Officer at Microsoft, and Board adviser, will bring her expertise in technology, security, and geopolitics to explore our well-rehearsed past, our fragmented present, and think forwards to a neo-democratic future.

In her own words: “Geopolitical uncertainty is rapidly driving behaviours that risk further undermining democracy and fracturing the rules-based international order, which the West has dominated and enjoyed for nearly a century. Whilst unbridled technological innovation, and bifurcation, is accelerating both the progress, and decline, of humanity - to put it lightly.

And yet we have been here before. Repeatedly. And we know what we need to emerge from this. Regenerated, improved, connected. Will we get it right, this time?"

The lecture will be based on previous lectures that Jo has given at the University of Gloucestershire, and the University College London, her esteemed career as a national security professional and political scientist, and research for her public engagements in 2026. One not to be missed.

The lecture will be followed by a question and answer session.

This event takes place at the University of Gloucestershire's Park Campus in Cheltenham. Please arrive at Main Reception, in the Elwes Teaching Centre, where you will be welcomed by our Corporate Events team. If you have any queries at all, please do get in touch with us at [email protected]

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Host or Publisher University of Gloucestershire