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Department of Sociology

 

The Department of Sociology and Murray Edwards College sponsor an annual memorial lecture to commemorate and celebrate the inspiring life and work of Jo Cox MP, former student of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Cambridge.

Jo Cox MP, a former student of Social Political Sciences and Pembroke College, University of Cambridge, was murdered whilst working in her constituency, Batley and Spen, in June 2016. Jo dedicated her life to helping others: campaigning tirelessly for a fairer, kinder and more tolerant world.

To celebrate Jo’s life and all of the inspiring work she was involved with, the Department of Sociology and Murray Edwards College at the University of Cambridge sponsor a memorial lecture on an annual basis in Jo’s honour.

This year the lecture was delivered by the former speaker of the House of Commons, Mr John Bercow, who worked with Jo during her time in parliament and helped install a crest in her honour on the benches where she gave her maiden speech.

The event was introduced by the Head of the Department of Sociology, Professor Sarah Franklin, and chaired by Jo’s sister, Kim Leadbeater, who is also an ambassador for the Jo Cox Foundation.

Mr Bercow said: “From my experience of hearing her, engaging with her and learning from her, I was repeatedly reminded that Jo Cox was filled with and fuelled by a love for humanity”

“In Jo’s DNA was an unflagging and uncompromised commitment to equality, to human rights, and to the pursuit of social justice at home and abroad.”

 “Jo’s life and career were a demonstration against despair. My sense of Jo was she believed that just because you can’t do everything, doesn’t mean you do nothing”

You can watch a recording of the lecture below:

The Department of Sociology and Murray Edwards College would like to extend their thanks to Mr Bercow, the Jo Cox Foundation, the More in Common team and Jo's family for their kind involvement this year's lecture.