OTR: Democracy & Education with Prof Davide Rizza

🧑🏻‍🏫 DEMOCRACY & EDUCATION — A CONVERSATION WITH UEA ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR — DR DAVIDE RIZZA

🕊️What role does education really play in a democracy? How are we responsible for the things around us through action, or lack thereof?

In this discussion-led session, Davide Rizza, UEA Associate Professor of Philosophy, explores the relationship between education, democracy, public life, and the way societies learn to think. Drawing primarily on John Dewey’s influential work Democracy and Education, the conversation will examine how education shapes not only knowledge, but also our ability to participate meaningfully in civic life, communicate across differences, and resist manipulation and propaganda.

Moving beyond narrow ideas of schooling as simple information transfer, this session asks broader questions about curiosity, inquiry, critical thinking, and what it means to develop an engaged and reflective public. Along the way, the discussion may also touch on related works and thinkers — including Deschooling Society — exploring how modern institutions influence the way we learn, think, and relate to one another.

Rather than a formal lecture, the evening is intended as an open intellectual conversation: a space for reflection, questions, differing perspectives, and thoughtful discussion about the challenges facing education, democracy, and public discourse today.

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🗓️ 28 May 2026
🕕 18:00 start
📍TBC (Please keep an eye out for more details!)

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🌿 ABOUT OFF THE RECORD

Off The Record (OTR) is an independent discussion community for people who value honest conversation, critical thinking, and intellectual depth. OTR salon sessions are designed as open, respectful spaces to learn new things, explore complex topics beyond slogans, soundbites, or performative debate — with curiosity, nuance, and good faith at the centre.

You can find like-minded people or agree to disagree. Your participation can range from active engagement to quiet listening.

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If you've any questions about the event, do get in touch with me

Email: **idaliakulik@hotmail.com**
Phone/WhatsApp: 07504000953

Clandestinely Yours,
Idalia Kulik