BAAS & the Eccles Institute for the Americas and Oceania present “America Now!”, a new series of live events exploring the current state of the USA and its place in the world.
In a world of hot takes these discussions will offer some much-needed deep dives, giving expert insight into some of the most pressing or peculiar aspects of modern American life – from the Supreme Court to Cowboy Carter. Events will take place every other month in the British Library Knowledge Centre.
Tickets for upcoming events are available, free of charge, via SeeTickets.
24/09/24 – Courting Controversy: What’s the Deal with the US Supreme Court?
Tuesday 24 September 2024, 18.30-19.30 BST | British Library Knowledge Centre | Free
From reversing the constitutional right to have an abortion to boosting the power of the President, the US Supreme Court has been making some headline-grabbing decisions over the past few years. With its judgments also potentially reshaping other major issues including gun control, environmental protections, and Indigenous tribal sovereignty, it seems we need to talk about the conservatism of the Supreme Court. How have we got here, and how will the court’s impact be felt on the ground for everyday Americans?
Speakers: Emma Long (University of East Anglia), Ilaria Di Gioia (Birmingham City University), & Mitch Robertson (University College London)
The British Library blog post for this session is available to read here.
Audio recording from the event will be available soon.
28/11/24 – From Cowboy Carter to Taylormania: Why Country Music Conquered the World in 2024?
Thursday 28 November 2024, 18.30-19.30 BST | British Library Knowledge Centre | Free
Country music is certainly having a moment this year. Beyoncé surprised everyone by dropping Cowboy Carter, intentionally disrupting the racial politics of Americana. Orville Peck’s interrogation of the genre’s sexual and gender politics has gone crossover and mainstream. And a singer named Taylor, who started her career as a teen on Music Row in Nashville, has taken over the world. What are we to make of this country music moment? What does it tell us about the USA’s understanding of itself and its culture? And is it going to last?
Speakers: Claire Hurley (University of Kent), Rachel Sykes (University of Birmingham), Jon Ward (King’s College London), & Robyn Shooter (King’s College London)
23/01/25 – The Inauguration of a New President: Where Will American Politics Go From Here?
Thursday 23 January 2025, 18.30-19.30 BST | British Library Foyle Room | Free
In his inauguration speech in January 2017 Donald Trump promised to ‘make America great again’ and stem the ‘American carnage’ he saw in US society. Coming just weeks after the January 6 insurrection at the US Capital, Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration speech urged the American people to come together, even though he conceded that ‘speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy these days.’ There will be a new President of the United States on 20 January 2025, following an election cycle marked by violence and division. Following the inauguration, we will reflect on the 2024 election cycle and the role of democracy in American political life. What will the new President mean for the future?
Details of events for the rest of 2025 will be announced later this year. If you have any suggestions of topics that you’d like to see discussed, please email eccles-institute@bl.uk with ‘America Now!’ in the subject line.