About this day
For A-level students
This outstanding enrichment day for enthusiastic A-level Sociology students is coming to the Midlands this autumn, to take place in the beautiful Elgar Concert Hall at the University of Birmingham. In a cutting-edge and inspiring programme, leading sociologists, academics and media personalities will address a range of challenging and powerful questions on how society functions, the factors which influence our choices and how we experience life. Presenting a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in today’s big sociological issues, this day will take students beyond their classroom experience, and leave them buzzing with new ideas and fresh perspectives.
Topics covered on this day will include education, crime, disability, race, and media. This exciting day will include an invaluable lunchtime exam session to propel students to even greater success. Join us for an inspirational, immersive and interactive day of sociology!
Book now to secure your places!
“Excellent, it exceeded all of our high expectations. This event really brought learning to life!”
— St John Bosco College, Autumn 2025 —
“The day was interactive and every talk was enlightening – it showed everyone’s passion for sociology!”
— Student, Autumn 2025 —
Programme & speakers
Families, feminism and gender Ann Oakley, Sociologist and Writer
Award-winning sociologist and writer Professor Ann Oakley will present a fascinating session on feminism and the impact of gender within the family and society. There will be plenty of opportunity for audience questions.
About Professor Ann Oakley
Ann Oakley is a writer and a sociologist. She is best known for her work on sex, gender and social science and has written numerous academic works and many novels. She is founder-director of and Professor of Sociology and Social Policy at the Social Science Research Unit, UCL Social Research Institute. In 2011 the British Sociological Association awarded her one of their first Lifetime Achievement Awards for her extraordinary contribution to the history of the development of sociology in Britain.
What’s so sociological about disability? Tom Shakespeare CBE, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
In an illuminating session based on up-to-date research, Tom will show how ‘disability’ is ripe for sociological analysis, from the point of view of medical sociology, social policy, cultural sociology, or political sociology. But it’s not just an academic issue; it’s about changing lives and transforming the world.
About Professor Sir Tom Shakespeare CBE
Tom Shakespeare is a Professor of Disability Research. His primary research interests are in disability studies, medical sociology, and social and ethical aspects of genetics. He has focused on qualitative research about the lives of disabled people and the barriers that they face and led projects about disability and sexuality.
Celebrity culture and the media Ellis Cashmore, Sociologist and cultural critic
Sociologist Ellis Cashmore will explore the evolution of celebrity culture and the rise of the paparazzi, reality TV, influencers and a new type of media. He will draw on decades of research and some recent case studies to unpick and examine the mechanics behind modern celebrity and what it reveals about our values, desires and identity.
About Professor Ellis Cashmore
Ellis Cashmore is a sociologist, cultural critic and author. He is currently a visiting professor of sociology at Aston University and has previously lectured at universities in the USA and Hong Kong. He has published widely on celebrity culture, the media, racism and sport.
'Murder Media': Social Media, Drill Music and the Digital Performance of Gang Violence Craig Pinkney, Criminologist
This session explores how social media, drill music and online culture have transformed the landscape of serious youth violence and gang-related harm. Craig will examine how online platforms are now being used to perform, document, escalate and sometimes monetise violence between groups and individuals, and explore the links between gang identity, reputation, retaliation, trauma, status and digital culture. Using real-life examples and frontline insight, students will be encouraged to think critically about the changing nature of gangs and youth violence in contemporary society.
About Craig Pinkney
Craig Pinkney is a nationally and internationally recognised criminologist and urban youth specialist. With over two decades of frontline and strategic experience, Craig is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading experts in serious youth violence, gangs, exploitation, social media conflict and urban youth culture. His work has taken place across the UK, Europe, the Caribbean, the USA and Australia, supporting governments, statutory agencies, professional sport organisations, education providers and community partners to better understand and respond to complex safeguarding and violence-related issues. He has received multiple awards for his contribution to education, community leadership, research, and violence prevention.
How has Black Lives Matter affected racism in education? Kalwant Bhopal, University of Birmingham
This lecture will explore the impact of Black Lives Matter on education. It will argue that Black Lives Matter created a backlash which worked to perpetuate a system of white supremacy in education.
About Professor Kalwant Bhopal
Kalwant Bhopal is Professor of Education and Social Justice at the University of Birmingham. Her research focuses on processes of racism, exclusion and marginalisation in white spaces. Her book, White Privilege: the myth of a post-racial society, came out in 2018 and her most recent book is Race and Education.