Dr Elizabeth Kahn is an Associate Professor in Political Theory and Director of the Centre for Political Thought in the School of Government and International Affairs (SGIA).
On 17 December 2024, SGIA hosted the regional Ethics Cup competition for schools in the North East of England at Durham University. Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham won first place followed by Teesdale School who will compete at the finals on 10 June 2025 at the University of St. Andrews.
As the Director of the Centre for Political Thought, I teach political theory and organise research events where political theorists and historians of political thought come to Durham and talk about their ideas. In terms of research, I'm really interested in structural injustice and theories of obligation for individuals in with regards to it. Exploring what injustices like sweatshop labour or climate change mean for the ethical reflections of individuals, how should they see themselves and their duties with regards to them?
The Ethics Cup is a competition led by St. Andrews University. The idea is to have a debate around political, ethical and social issues. But, instead of focusing on winning, defeating your opponent, having wonderful oratory or anything like that, the focus is on actually thinking through the issues in a nuanced way and trying to resolve them. So instead of attacking each other, the idea is that the different teams help each other develop a more nuanced position through their discussion. For the Ethics Cup regional, we invited schools from the local area to join, compete, talk and discuss these ethical issues with us at Durham University. It's a great opportunity for pupils to visit campus and explore complex issues with us.
I've always loved philosophy and politics, and I feel that The Ethics Cup competition really brings together these subjects. I‘m also really passionate about connecting our University with the local community and we are always seeking out ways to do that and to induct the next generation of students into thinking about these questions. I think it's absolutely key that we reflect on ethical, social and political questions, that it's really important that we continue to talk about how we want our world to be and how we should do things going forward.
On the one hand, it gives them a connection to the University. On the other hand, I think it will give them a connection to political and ethical questions that they, as future citizens, are going to have to think through. Also, we really hope that it encourages pupils to think through exploring these questions at University. It's about inspiring them to think about studying these subjects or related at university level and feeling like there is a home for creative independent thought and that it's something that they too can be part of.
I think Durham is an exciting and magical place in some ways. It's got such a rich history and it's so interesting. The first thing you see when you arrive, say by train is the castle and the cathedral. There are these big, imposing, old buildings that sit on top of a hill. I think that really gives you a sense that Durham is an interesting and intriguing place. Meanwhile, when you come off the train, one of the first places that you see is the Miners’ Hall, which contains the Pitman's Parliament and gives you an idea of the industrial history here.
This was a mining area and people came from many different villages into Durham City to think through their trade union issues. Mining is also connected with a beautiful tradition in the area of communities funding, and building their own facilities and services, including art clubs. Durham's got a rich and exciting history with the trade unions, the church and the University itself. I’m also inspired by some of the exciting things that our students and student societies have been putting together in recent years. It’s a really interesting, unusual and stimulating place to be.
