N E W S

[09-January-2012]

Successfull BPS seminar with Charles Kennedy

The Rt Hon Charles Kennedy, MP for the Liberal Democratic Party, visited Oslo exclusively to address a BPS seminar on 9 January 2012. The seminar, which was held at the University of Oslo, attracted a substantial audience. It had the title "A Liberal Vision for Britain".

Kennedy used the occasion to reflect upon a series of challenges faced by the Liberal Democrats since entering the coalition government in May 2010. He furthermore paid attention to the issue of Scotland, the seminar itself corresponding with the the British government's announcement of plans for a Scottish independence referendum.

All photos: Tron Trondal, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo

Mr Kennedy also discussed the current difficulties between Britain and the EU, highlighted by Prime Minister David Cameron's veto against tighter fiscal coordination among the member states. Finally, the issue of tuition fees was discussed against the backdrop of the funding and guiding principles of the higher education sector in the years to come.

Ample time was set aside for a Q & A session where Mr Kennedy responded to questions from students, media representatives and BPS members in the audience.

Become a BPS member in 2012!

Membership in the British Politics Society Norway is open to all individuals and institutions with an interest in British politics, society, language, and culture.

Membership for one year costs NOK 100,- and gives you the following benefits:

Subscription to four editions of our journal British Politics Review
Invitation to all our events
The right to vote at our Annual General Meeting

[15-November-2011]

British Politics Review 4/11 on Norwegian-British relations

It accounts for little drama but plenty of warmth: The Norwegian-British relationship has been quintessential ever since Norway acquired its independence in 1905. Yet, it is also a relationship in continuous adjustment, an adjustment which has accelerated since the end of the Cold War.

In this year’s final issue of British Politics Review, we offer an additional twist to the British-Norwegian analysis.

Particular attention in this issue is devoted to Scotland’s Norwegian affiliations, seen in Nationalist rhetoric (Lesley Riddoch) and in its nation-building of the past (Kristin Flood Strøm).

Other articles address the state of Norwegian-British defence relations (Clive Archer), student exchange across the North Sea (Rachel Sweetman), Norway's adoption of the British Teach First initiative (Elisabeth Buk-Berge), and the exchanges between Attlee’s and Gerhardsen’s Labour governments in the immediate post-war era (Tony Insall).

Finally, two contributions account for cultural dimensions to the relationship: the Norwegian penchant for English football (Stig Inge Bjørnebye), and Per Petterson’s novels travel to the Anglosphere (Adam Gallari).

Successful joint conference with ASANOR

On 28-30 October 2011, BPS co-hosted a conference at Rica Park Hotel, Drammen with the American Studies Association of Norway (ASANOR). Under the heading "Contemporary challenges in the US and the UK", the event convened academics, teachers and others with an interest in current affairs on both sides of the Atlantic.

All photos: Robert Mikkelsen, ASANOR

Starting off with a keynote lecture by Professor Bernt Hagtvet (University of Oslo) on the decline of the left, the conference included paper presentations and debates on topics ranging from foreign policy and the Arab spring via reforms of political institutions to challenges in teaching British and American Civilisation in Norwegian schools. The event was a great encouragement towards further collaboration between students of the "English-speaking peoples".

[2-May-2010]

Join our page on facebook

Are you a BPS member or are you just interested in our work? BPS now has its own page on Facebook. We update the page regularly with information about our activities and work. The page also represents a forum for BPS members and other followers to discuss processes and events in British politics, culture and society.

To become a member of the group, click on the link above or search for "British Politics Society" in the Facebook search field. Then press the "like" button.


	N E W S


	[09-January-2012] Successfull BPS seminar with Charles Kennedy The Rt Hon Charles Kennedy, MP for the Liberal Democratic Party, visited Oslo exclusively to address a BPS seminar on 9 January 2012. The seminar, which was held at the University of Oslo, attracted a substantial audience. It had the title "A Liberal Vision for Britain". Kennedy used the occasion to reflect upon a series of challenges faced by the Liberal Democrats since entering the coalition government in May 2010. He furthermore paid attention to the issue of Scotland, the seminar itself corresponding with the the British government's announcement of plans for a Scottish independence referendum. All photos: Tron Trondal, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo Mr Kennedy also discussed the current difficulties between Britain and the EU, highlighted by Prime Minister David Cameron's veto against tighter fiscal coordination among the member states. Finally, the issue of tuition fees was discussed against the backdrop of the funding and guiding principles of the higher education sector in the years to come. Ample time was set aside for a Q & A session where Mr Kennedy responded to questions from students, media representatives and BPS members in the audience.

			Become a BPS member in 2012! Membership in the British Politics Society Norway is open to all individuals and institutions with an interest in British politics, society, language, and culture. Membership for one year costs NOK 100,- and gives you the following benefits: Subscription to four editions of our journal British Politics Review Invitation to all our events The right to vote at our Annual General Meeting Contact us to learn more about membership!

			[15-November-2011] British Politics Review 4/11 on Norwegian-British relations It accounts for little drama but plenty of warmth: The Norwegian-British relationship has been quintessential ever since Norway acquired its independence in 1905. Yet, it is also a relationship in continuous adjustment, an adjustment which has accelerated since the end of the Cold War. In this year’s final issue of British Politics Review, we offer an additional twist to the British-Norwegian analysis. Particular attention in this issue is devoted to Scotland’s Norwegian affiliations, seen in Nationalist rhetoric (Lesley Riddoch) and in its nation-building of the past (Kristin Flood Strøm). Other articles address the state of Norwegian-British defence relations (Clive Archer), student exchange across the North Sea (Rachel Sweetman), Norway's adoption of the British Teach First initiative (Elisabeth Buk-Berge), and the exchanges between Attlee’s and Gerhardsen’s Labour governments in the immediate post-war era (Tony Insall). Finally, two contributions account for cultural dimensions to the relationship: the Norwegian penchant for English football (Stig Inge Bjørnebye), and Per Petterson’s novels travel to the Anglosphere (Adam Gallari).

	Successful joint conference with ASANOR On 28-30 October 2011, BPS co-hosted a conference at Rica Park Hotel, Drammen with the American Studies Association of Norway (ASANOR). Under the heading "Contemporary challenges in the US and the UK", the event convened academics, teachers and others with an interest in current affairs on both sides of the Atlantic. All photos: Robert Mikkelsen, ASANOR Starting off with a keynote lecture by Professor Bernt Hagtvet (University of Oslo) on the decline of the left, the conference included paper presentations and debates on topics ranging from foreign policy and the Arab spring via reforms of political institutions to challenges in teaching British and American Civilisation in Norwegian schools. The event was a great encouragement towards further collaboration between students of the "English-speaking peoples".

			[2-May-2010] Join our page on facebook Are you a BPS member or are you just interested in our work? BPS now has its own page on Facebook. We update the page regularly with information about our activities and work. The page also represents a forum for BPS members and other followers to discuss processes and events in British politics, culture and society. To become a member of the group, click on the link above or search for "British Politics Society" in the Facebook search field. Then press the "like" button.