About GSS
The Global Scholars Symposium (GSS) is a landmark project that Gates and Rhodes scholars collaboratively founded in 2008, which connects postgraduate scholars and influencers across the globe. This annual student-run symposium aims to bring scholars together to engage in thought-provoking dialogue, with the help of dynamic speakers who challenge scholars to think and act in new ways. The GSS aims to forge fellowship of fellowships and generate ideas for change through a two-day immersive programme. This annual event features six keynotes, six panels, and two sets of small-group, interactive workshops. Each year’s symposium theme is chosen by the organising committee, which provides the contour to the highly interdisciplinary discussion. GSS has historically attracted remarkable speakers including the Dalai Lama, David Suzuki, Wanjira Mathai, former Canadian prime minister Paul Martin, Dr Mo Ibrahim, Baroness Helena Kennedy, Dr Joseph Nye, Dominic Barton, and Professor Jeffery Sachs.
The GSS takes place annually, with the location alternating between Oxford (the Rhodes House) and Cambridge (the Cambridge Union). The GSS is primarily funded by an endowment given by the John McCall MacBain (JMM) Foundation to the Rhodes Trust, and made possible by the generous support of the Gates Trust.
The GSS is entirely student run, and the leadership represents the close collaboration of Gates and Rhodes Scholars. The symposium is currently open to all postgraduate students in the UK through an application process. The symposium attests to the Gates Trust and the Rhodes Trust’s commitment to reaching out to the wider community of scholars across the UK, and to create synergy in a world punctuated by divisions.
The GSS takes place annually, with the location alternating between Oxford (the Rhodes House) and Cambridge (the Cambridge Union). The GSS is primarily funded by an endowment given by the John McCall MacBain (JMM) Foundation to the Rhodes Trust, and made possible by the generous support of the Gates Trust.
The GSS is entirely student run, and the leadership represents the close collaboration of Gates and Rhodes Scholars. The symposium is currently open to all postgraduate students in the UK through an application process. The symposium attests to the Gates Trust and the Rhodes Trust’s commitment to reaching out to the wider community of scholars across the UK, and to create synergy in a world punctuated by divisions.
Uniqueness of GSS
Entirely Student Run
GSS is a collective of future global leaders The only symposium which brings together recipients of UK's most prestigious scholarships.
Cross-disciplinary Approach
GSS scholars represent more than 140 nationalities and a wide array of disciplines. The platform brings together impactful ideas aimed at addressing shared global challenges.
Knowledge Creation, Knowledge Sharing
GSS scholars although from immensely diverse backgrounds, are united by a deep commitment towards knowledge creation.
GSS is a collective of future global leaders The only symposium which brings together recipients of UK's most prestigious scholarships.
Cross-disciplinary Approach
GSS scholars represent more than 140 nationalities and a wide array of disciplines. The platform brings together impactful ideas aimed at addressing shared global challenges.
Knowledge Creation, Knowledge Sharing
GSS scholars although from immensely diverse backgrounds, are united by a deep commitment towards knowledge creation.
Theme
The theme for GSS 2019 is “Cultivating Innovation”, delving into the ideas and developments championing the fourth industrial revolution. We aim to learn how innovative minds bridge gaps across disciplines, master cyberphysical systems and predict socio-economic implications of such progress. We hope this weekend will prepare us for the promise and perils of innovation.
Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Programme
Saturday, June 1, 2019
Time |
Session |
Speaker |
Topic |
Venue |
9.00 - 9.45 |
Registration (coffee & pastries) |
- |
- |
Foyer |
10.00 - 10.30 |
Welcome & Warden's Address |
Elizabeth Kiss |
- |
Milner Hall |
10.30 - 11.40 |
Keynote Address 1 |
Lynn Marlor |
Cultural Innovation |
Milner Hall |
11.40 - 12.00 |
Group Photo |
- |
- |
Milner Hall |
12.00 - 13.00 |
Lunch |
- |
- |
Atlantic and Biet |
13.00 - 14.00 |
Panel 1: Low and Middle Income Countries |
Ms. Carla Grados, Mr. Ramit Debnath, Ms. Natalia Norori, Kumeren Govender (Moderator) |
Remodeling Appropriate Resources for use in Constrained Settings |
Milner Hall |
14.00 - 14.45 |
Keynote Address 2 |
Omar Ghobash |
Can we innovate in the Arab world? |
Milner Hall |
14.45 - 15.45 |
Workshops - I |
1. Devlin Gandy 2. Rhodes Disability Group 3. Natalia Norori 4. Gregg Bayes-Brown |
1. Protecting our Research Localities in the Age of Social Media 2. Access & Disability 3. Maximizing the impact of your work by implementing open research practices 4. Communicating innovation |
JMM Room / Roseberry / Said Room / Scholars Common Room |
15.45 - 16.15 |
Coffee Break |
- |
- |
Atlantic and Biet |
16.15 - 17.15 |
Social: Speed-date Mentoring |
All speakers and delegates |
- |
Roseberry |
17.15 - 18.15 |
Walking Tour of Oxford |
- |
- |
Oxford |
18.15 - 19.00 |
Pre-Dinner Drinks |
- |
- |
King's Arms |
19.00 - 22.00 |
Dinner |
- |
- |
Milner Hall |
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Time |
Session |
Speaker |
Topic |
Venue |
9.00 - 9.30 |
Registration (coffee & pastries) |
- |
- |
Foyer |
10.00 - 10.30 |
Keynote Address 3 |
Edward Hughes |
Cooperative AI: Modelling and Resolving Complex Social Dilemmas using Deep Reinforcement Learning |
Milner Hall |
10.30 - 11.30 |
Panel 2 – Health and Genomics |
Dr. Waheed Arian, Dr. Alka Saxena, Dr. Giles Yeo Stepheni Uh (Moderator) |
Charting Unmapped Territories |
Milner Hall |
11.30 - 12.30 |
Lunch |
- |
- |
Atlantic |
12.30 - 13.30 |
Keynote Address 4 |
Shai Reshef |
The Education Revolution: How Online Learning Will Solve the Crisis in Higher Education |
Milner Hall |
13.30 - 14.30 |
Workshop -II |
1. Arjit Patra 2. Carla Grados 3. Oxford Imps (Fuaad Coovadia, Matthew Jordan) |
1. AI based medical imaging at point-of-care 2. Incubating Impact 3. Improvisation = Innovation |
JMM Room / Roseberry / Said Room / Scholars Common Room |
14.30 - 15.00 |
Coffee Break |
- |
- |
Atlantic |
15.00 - 16.00 |
Ted-style Talks |
Selected Delegates |
- |
Milner Hall |
16.00 - 17.15 |
Keynote Address 5 |
Dr. Friederike Otto (moderated by Stefano Vrizzi) |
Angry weather: How Climate Change is Affecting Extreme Weather Events Around the World? |
Milner Hall |
17.15 - 17.30 |
Closing Remarks |
- |
- |
Milner Hall |
Venue
GSS 2019 will take place at the Rhodes House at the University of Oxford, home to the world's oldest and most celebrated fellowship awards.
Accommodation
Oxford boasts of a number of inns and hotels located in close proximity to the venue.
Travel and logistics
The nearest airports to Oxford are Heathrow and Gatwick. Oxford is also accessible by rail and bus.
Oxford boasts of a number of inns and hotels located in close proximity to the venue.
Travel and logistics
The nearest airports to Oxford are Heathrow and Gatwick. Oxford is also accessible by rail and bus.
Register as a Delegate
Registration is open from 5 PM on Friday, 31 May 2019. The cost of attending is £20 (early bird) and £30 (after 15 May 2019). Transport and accommodation costs will need to be covered by the delegates. Payment information is at the end of the form below.
Note: Iftaar boxes will be provided to those Muslim delegates fasting during the symposium.
Any questions? Please email globalscholarssymposium@gmail.com with the subject line [DELEGATE QUESTION].
Note: Iftaar boxes will be provided to those Muslim delegates fasting during the symposium.
Any questions? Please email globalscholarssymposium@gmail.com with the subject line [DELEGATE QUESTION].
Our Team
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Farah Jawitz
Rhodes Scholar |
Maitha Al Memari
Rhodes Scholar |
Iain Sander
Rhodes Scholar |
Stepheni Uh
Gates Cambridge Scholar |
Toluwalase Awoyemi
Rhodes Scholar |
Thomas Dowling
Rhodes Scholar |
Delegates Committee
Farah Jawitz
|
Richard Williams
|
Elisha Kipkemoi
|
Beshayer Alrum
|
Venue, Logistics & Socials Committee
Maitha Al Memari
|
Mutum Yaikhomba
|
Mariana Ibrahim
|
Speakers Committee
Stepheni Uh
Stefano Vrizzi
|
Toluwalase Awoyemi
Deena Tissera
|
Romi Carriere
Brahma Mohanty
|
Shijoy Varughese
Kim van Daalen
|
Media and Communications Committee
Iain Sander
|
Sara AlQubaisi
|
Adenipekun Ayokunle
|
Finance Committee
Thomas Dowling
Partners
Special thanks to the McCall MacBain Foundation for their generous support of GSS 2019
and to the following scholarships for their continued support