Description
Overview
Debating society offers a fantastic opportunity for students to develop their public speaking skills and make friends with a diverse group of people, for a range of skill and interest levels.
Society events are divided by 4 main activities:
Casual Debates, Competition (BP), Socials and Varsity.
What do we do?
Example topics from previous debates:
(Casual debates)
- Can objective morality exist in a secular society?
- Do we choose our beliefs?
- Should deepfake production be a criminal offence?
(Competitive - British Barliamentary)
- This house prefers the quality of art being viewed as predominantly subjective as opposed to predominantly objective
- This house would take the blue pill
- This house would ban private primary and secondary schools
Schedule
The format is currently a mixture of casual and BP so feel free to attend either half or stay for both
Casual Debates & Socials (Wednesdays 6-7pm)
- Members can expect to participate in a friendly and open environment moderated by the committee with a prompt topic. If you have a topic you would like to suggest, you can do so via instagram polls, DMs or on whatsapp.
Competitive (Wednesdays 7-8pm)
- At competitive sessions, we practice with the British Parliamentary Format. Whether you just want to try something and have a competitive outlook or want to learn how to communicate like an effective leader for change, BP is the tool you want in your toolkit. BP as a format has shaped the discourse for hundreds of years and as a student of its founding nation, learning and employing it can help you speak the language of those who make the rules. This is an opportunity well worth taking.
- We attend and organise competitions in the UK (e.g Midlands Debating Competition) and abroad (e.g World University Debating Championships).
Socials
We regularly go to The Gooseberry Bush after our Wednesday debates to unwind, eat, and drink. There will also be a variety of socials organised for our members throughout the year. These will include Ocean, bowling, karaoke, and board games nights.
Varsity/Competitions
In 2022, we attended and competed at the World University Debating Championships in Madrid
In 2024, we hosted the Midlands Debating Competition.
Contact/Social Media
If you have joined the society then join our socials to be kept up to date with the latest events!
For any questions please email: debating.society@su.ntu.ac.uk
Please find our socials on Instagram and WhatsApp below:
*We do ask that anyone looking to join the society is aware that we have a strict rule of free speech. You can say anything you want that isnt breaking the law, being overly rude towards members, or disrupting a debate.
