The Conversation Room
Step into Ushaw and experience The Conversation Room – a new programme of inspiring and thought-provoking sessions designed to spark curiosity, invite reflection, and ignite meaningful discussion.
Bringing together voices from a wide range of fields, these gatherings explore architecture, history, religion, wellbeing, and more – all within the beautifully atmospheric setting of the Francis Thompson Room at Ushaw.
Each session is hosted by a guest contributor and encourages open minds and thoughtful exchange.
Confirmed talks take place at 6:30pm on the following dates:
8 October – Battle of Britain in the North East
Durham artist Denis Fox will share his unique perspective on The Battle of Britain, exploring this pivotal WWII event through the lens of art and memory. Blending historical insight with artistic interpretation, Denis offers a moving tribute to those who shaped this defining moment in British history.
15 October – A Friendly Welcome? Sectarian Violence and the Irish in the North East
Join Dr Jonathan Bush for a captivating and timely exploration of one of the lesser-known stories of 19th-century British history. This public lecture uncovers the complex and often turbulent experience of Irish immigrants who settled in Tyneside and County Durham in the aftermath of the Great Irish Famine.
17 October – Lafcadio Hearn and the Invention of the Haiku
Lafcadio Hearn was in Japan at the time when Japanese literature was first being discovered in the West. It is well known that he contributed to this process by translating many traditional folk and ghost stories. However, fewer people realise that Hearn also translated hundreds of haiku before this iconic Japanese poetic form became popular abroad. This free public talk explores Hearn’s haiku translations in the context of the Japanese and European reception of the haiku at the turn of the twentieth century.
Presented by Stefano Evangelista is Professor in English and Comparative Literature at the University of Oxford. He has written extensively on Lafcadio Hearn’s engagement with Japanese art and culture, his fascination with Decadent literature and his work as a translator. His books include Literary Cosmopolitanism in the English Fin de Siècle (Oxford University Press, 2021). The event will be chaired by Dr Fraser Riddell from the Department of English Studies at Durham University.
5 November – Joseph Hansom – Visionary Architect of the Gothic Revival
A captivating talk on Joseph Hansom by Paul Waddington, the renowned architect behind many of the North East’s most iconic Gothic Revival buildings. Best known for designing Ushaw’s stunning chapel and inventing the Hansom cab, Hansom’s legacy blends innovation with artistry. Discover his life, work, and enduring influence in this latest instalment of our Conversation Room series.
19 November – Wildlife in Durham
Discover wildlife and nature conservation from the Tees to the Tyne. This talk highlights the special places and species that are cared for by Durham Wildlife Trust as well as the projects and activities the Trust is currently undertaking.
26 November – Francis Joseph Sloane: A Grateful Alumnus
Lucia Luck shares the fascinating story of Francis Joseph Sloane (1794–1871), a devoted alumnus of Ushaw College. Sloane (1794–1871), a devoted alumnus of Ushaw College. Drawing on her MA research, Luck explores Sloane’s heartfelt correspondence with the college over nearly five decades, revealing his generosity, enduring affection, and the broader context of Catholic life in 19th-century England.
Pay as you wish for the talks, pre-book your place below.