Talks for Life

These five talks draw out what it means to be part of our University community – the local and global nature of our learning and work together, especially in this world changing time.

This series of talks explore:

  • What am I?
  • Who am I?
  • Why am I here?
  • Where am I?
  • How can I become the person I want to be?

These questions are personal and universal. They are questions that provide space for doubt, for curiosity, for affirmation, for sharing emotions and dreams and fears. There are no single answers. And they are questions which are essential to delivering to the UN Global Sustainable Development Goals and the University’s 2030 strategy.

Talks for Life: An introduction and welcome to the University by Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh; and Liz Grant, Professor of Global Health and Development and Director Global Health Academy. 

We hope that these talks will enable you to:

  • Have a strong sense of how valuable you are as people who can make a difference. 
  • Have a grasp of why compassionate action matters, and the ways in which compassion can bring about individual, communal, societal and ecological change - acts of kindness. 
  • Have an understanding of some of the global challenges facing the world with inspirational examples of initiatives to help solve the problems - thinking global in a local context, repurposing new solutions for old problems, and old solutions for new problems 
  • Have the courage to ask unanswerable questions, and to share thoughts, feelings, worries, dreams, ambitions and hope. 

Available from Monday 14th September

Speakers: 

Rory Lawson and Andrew Bell

Rory is a former Scotland Rugby Captain 

Description: 

Rory Lawson, one of our alumni reflects on the question What am  I?  

Rory describes his life journey and what matters in life from being former Scotland Rugby Captain to an Executive Leadership Coach. 


Rory Lawson, one of our alumni reflects on the question What am I?  Rory describes his life journey and what matters in life from being former Scotland Rugby Captain to an Executive Leadership Coach.  

Available from Tuesday 15th September 

Speakers: 

Sarah Brown and Justin van Fleet

Sarah is Chair of  the global Education Charity,  Theirworld    

Justin is President of Their world and Executive Director of the  Global Business Coalition for Education

Description: 

Sarah Brown and Justin van Fleet reflect on the question Who am I? 

Sarah and Justin lead a global campaign to support all children into education. In this video they share their life journey, their experiences, up and downs and their passion to change the world.    


Sarah Brown and Justin van Fleet reflect on the question "Who am I?".  

Available from Wednesday 16th September

Speakers: 

Karine Polwart   

Karine is one of Scotland’s most famous folk singers

Description: 

Karine Polwart reflects on the question Why am I here.  

Karine has won multiple awards for her Scottish folk singing. In this recording, she encourages us to look for the heart of Edinburgh in the songs and poetry of the city. 


Karine Polwart reflects on the question "Why am I here?". Karine has won multiple awards for her Scottish folk singing. In this recording, she encourages us to look for the heart of Edinburgh in the songs and poetry of the city. 

Available from Thursday 17th September

Speakers: 

Sir Geoff Palmer OBE and Rev Ewan Aitken 

Sir Geoff is Scotland’s Diversity and Inclusion champion.  

Ewan is Chief Executive Officer of the Edinburgh Cyrenians

Description: 

Sir Geoff Palmer and Rev Ewan Aitken reflect on the question Where am I?  

They explore issues of race and homelessness in the city of Edinburgh and the part we can play in challenging systems and living authentically.


Sir Geoff Palmer and Rev Ewan Aitken reflect on the question Where am I?  They explore issues of race and homelessness in the city of Edinburgh and the part we can play in challenging systems and living authentically. 

Available from Friday 18th September

Speakers: 

Hon Kirsty Duncan Deputy Leader of the government in the House of Commons Canada 

Description: 

The Hon Kirsty Duncan reflects on the question How do I become the person I want to be.  

She describes her life choices and looks at what makes things important, encouraging us to follow our dreams


The Hon Kirsty Duncan reflects on the question "How do I become the person I want to be?". She describes her life choices and looks at what makes things important, encouraging us to follow our dreams.

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