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University of Southampton Pro-Chancellor, Jon Sopel, will deliver a lecture on his latest book on Wednesday 13 December 2017.

Synopsis:

There are very few British journalists working today who understand the American political and cultural landscape as well as Jon Sopel.

As the BBC’s North America Editor, Jon has had rare access and insight to those shaping the world’s most powerful nation. He’s travelled on Air Force One, interviewed President Obama at the White House and has been eye to eye with the President Donald J. Trump, including a notoriously combative press conference where the Commander-in-Chief hissed menacingly, ‘I know who YOU are…’

But Jon Sopel also understands the other United States of America; a contrary, confused country where people feel powerless and unheard. Against a perpetual backdrop of terrorist threats and mass shootings, he’s witnessed a grave fracturing of American society. Jon watched on the ground as the Ferguson riots escalated around him, only six years after America elected its first black President and one year after the birth of the #blacklivesmatter movement. He’s travelled extensively through the former manufacturing heartlands where the American dream has disappeared along with the companies that used to invest there. And he’s seen the rage of the American electorate mirrored in the face of its mercurial new President.

As part of the lecture Jon will read an extract from his book, discuss his views on politics in America today as well as take questions from the audience.

Date & Time: Wednesday 13 December, 18:00-19:00

About Jon Sopel:

Jon Sopel is a graduate of the University of Southampton, completing his BSc in Politics and Sociology in 1981. He has enjoyed a distinguished career with the BBC and currently serves as North America Editor based in Washington, DC.

In 2007,Jon was voted Political Journalist of the Year by the Public Affairs Industry. In 2013, he was shortlisted for National Presenter of the Year at the Royal Television Society Journalism Awards.

Jon was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Southampton in 2011.

Watch live-stream: Jon Sopel Lecture