'Can We Have a Democratic National Conversation?' with Professor Stephen Coleman

The School's Media, Power and Publics Research Theme invites you to a book talk by Professor Stephen Coleman on his new publication, ‘Shaping Citizenship through Talk Radio’ (Intellect, 2026).

Is it possible for a population to engage in a democratic national conversation? Politicians repeatedly call for national conversations about issues and policies. In doing so, they are alluding to the reflective and deliberative element of democracy that exceeds mere voting. How might public service broadcasters, capable of reaching an audience of millions, contribute to stimulating and facilitating such a conversation?  What might be expected from citizens to make such a conversation democratically meaningful?

 

Stephen Coleman is Emeritus Professor of Political Communication at the University of Leeds and presenter of The Sound of Politics podcast.