The University of Liverpool’s Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place has announced its annual lecture, with this year’s event focussing on the significance of football for Liverpool, its economy, and its global reputation.
The Lecture will bring together representatives from Liverpool and Everton FC, city leaders and football experts to discuss the role of football clubs in driving regeneration, uplifting communities and sustaining our connection to place.
The Heseltine Institute Annual Lecture: Football and the City will be held on Tuesday 21 October at 6pm in the Leggate Theatre, Victoria Gallery and Museum. Click here to book tickets.
Professor Catherine Durose, Heseltine Institute Co-Director said: “As the home of two of the country’s most iconic and successful clubs – Liverpool FC and Everton FC – Liverpool has always been synonymous with football. As Liverpool celebrate a record-equalling 20th top-flight title, and Everton begin a new era at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, the 2025 Heseltine Institute Lecture will provide a timely opportunity to reflect on the significance of football for Liverpool, its economy, and its global reputation.”
Sue Jarvis, Heseltine Institute Co-Director said: “Football is more than just a game for Liverpool – it is part of the city’s identity, a driver of its economy and a force that connects communities locally and globally. By bringing together voices from across football, policy and civic life, this year’s lecture will help us to think about how the benefits it brings can continue to extend beyond the pitch to the wider community.”
The Heseltine Institute’s mission is to be an internationally recognised public policy research institute, bringing together expertise from across research, policy, practice and community stakeholders, to co-create, impact and influence public policies for tomorrow’s cities.
Football focus at Literary Festival
Football will also feature in the University’s 2025 Liverpool Literary Festival. On 18 October, award-winning journalist and author Simon Hughes, who covers Merseyside football for The New York Times’ The Athletic, will give a talk about his new book Chasing Salah, a definitive biography of Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah, the most famous Egyptian footballer in the history of the sport. Click here to book.
The following day, artist and filmmaker Chris Shepherd joins Senior Lecturer in English Literature Dr David Hering to discuss his acclaimed debut graphic novel Anfield Road – a coming-of-age story set in 1980s Liverpool and named Observer Graphic Novel of the Month. Click here to book.