As British voters prepare for a referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union, Brunel will ask a panel of experts what so-called Brexit would mean for the future of Higher Education.

On 17 March, the second of Brunel University London’s Big Question events will tackle the critical issue before an audience of students, staff and the wider community.

Titled ‘Will British universities be stronger inside or outside the European Union?’, the event will give the floor to a panel of pro-Europeans and Eurosceptics from academia and industry – each asked to consider what is best for British students, what is best for UK research, and what is best for British universities.

The debate is being held in partnership with Universities UK (UUK) as part of its own high-profile campaign to keep Britain in Europe.

Chaired by renowned academic and former chairman of NHS London Professor Michael Spyer, panelists include Vice-President (England and Northern Ireland) of UUK Professor Janet Beer; celebrated entrepreneur and CEO of leading logistics company NFT Distribution David Frankish; the former special adviser to Michael Gove at the Department for Education Jamie Martin; and founder and chairman of Wetherspoon pub chain Tim Martin.

To book tickets for the free event, please visit the Eventbrite page here.

The Big Question events form part of Brunel University London’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. Two further discussions on big topical issues will be held later this year. To find out more about all the events the university has planned to celebrate its 50th, visit www.brunel.ac.uk/fifty.