What is Oxford’s history of inequality and migration?

Oxford as a city has a very particular history. The town grew around the University in the late 14th Century and arguably the university has dominated its development ever since. The city has grown an international reputation as one of the oldest centres of learning, but actually what is it like living here? Beyond the University what has happened with industrial boom and decline? What are the realities of inequality and migration?

Nicola Headlam, will introduce some of the background to these issues and how the city has been planned over the years. Bridget Anderson will help us to think about migration and who is a migrant within this context.

Getting there:

The Oxford Bus Company City 5 route runs from Oxford Station through the City Centre and to Knights Road and Pegasus Road, which is a five-minute walk to the stadium. Stagecoach Service 1 starts from Speedwell Street and follows the same route to Knights Road and Pegasus Road.

Oxford Bus Company route and timetable

Stagecoach route options

Parking

The stadium has unreserved spaces for around 2,000 cars. Parking is free of charge and on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

On arrival, please use the main entrance.

Talking Oxford

Many people in Europe and North America demand more control over immigration. Others are concerned about the social, economic, and personal costs of restricting migration. How is it possible to reconcile these different views? How can those who study immigration listen to the full range of different views and provide useful insights to all?

One way forward might be to come up with questions worth asking. For example, can we imagine communities that include everyone and result in improvements of life all around? If not, where are lines to be drawn and who is to draw them?

These questions are crucial for Oxford, which contains the third highest ethnic minority population in the South-East, and 28% of residents are born outside the UK[1]. This makes human migration central to the lives and experiences of city residents, even if these experiences vary in different areas of the city.

We are going to hold four events to talk about migration in areas of Oxford where inequality and disadvantage is most felt. We want to consider the relevance of migration to people's lives in Oxford and find new ways of thinking and talking about migration.

These events will be a chance to think about important issues of our time and our city. We hope they will be fun. There will not be lofty presentations from Oxford Dons and you will not be tested on what you know. If you are interested in the world and want an opportunity to challenge yourself to think about how you feel about things then please come!