This event launches a new special issue of the journal Sociological Research Online on 'character' education.

Edited by Dr Kim Allen (University of Leeds) and Dr Anna Bull (University of Portsmouth), the special issue interrogates the current 'turn to character' in the UK and examines historical and international influences of this new policy direction, as well as looking at how character education has been taken up both in government policy and in schools and how this plays out on social media and in popular culture.

This launch event will include a brief introduction to the papers in the special issue. We are delighted to welcome three respondents to the special issue:

Professor Kristján Kristjánsson, Deputy Director of the Jubilee Centre, University of Birmingham

Dr Akane Kanai, Lecturer in Communication and Media Studies, Monash University

Professor Val Gillies, Professor of Social Policy/Criminology, University of Westminster

Finally, there will be discussion with the authors of the special issue: Professor Erica Burman (University of Manchester), Dr Nick Taylor (Goldsmiths, University of London), Dr Kirsty Morrin (University of Liverpool), and Professor Ros Gill (City University).

The formal discussion (4pm-5.30pm) will be followed by a wine reception (5.30-6.30pm). All welcome.