Celebrating class: Centenary Conference
Date 04 March 2026
Time 10:00 - 16:00
Location Miller Building, Room G05, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading
Event Information
On March 4th, 2026, the University of Reading will host an internal conference showcasing the research, lived experiences and artworks from the Celebrating Class: Working Class Identities at Reading Centenary project. The conference and accompanying exhibition in the library foyer will bring to life a thought-provoking exploration of how social class has impacted our learning community throughout our history, touching on themes of belonging, identity and achievement. The programme includes talks from the project team and their findings from the archives, as well as in-depth interviews with working class staff and students. The event culminates in a keynote from Dr Alex Blower, founder of Boys’ Impact, a UK wide network dedicated to improving educational outcomes for working class men. This event builds on a centenary project which has also seen current students exploring working class identity through creative writing and art. Attendance is free, and all University of Reading staff are invited not only to listen but also to contribute ideas for class inclusion at Reading, with interactive discussions planned throughout the day.