FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1330hrs Monday, 19 September 2011
David Goodhart joins Demos as Director
Demos is delighted to announce David Goodhart, founder and editor-at-large of Prospect magazine, as its new director.
Goodhart set up Prospect in 1995 and turned it into Britain’s leading intellectual current affairs monthly. He is a prominent figure in public debate in the UK – a well-known broadcaster, author, commentator and journalist. He is a regular contributor to the Guardian, the Independent, the Times and the Financial Times.
As editor of Prospect, he founded the Prospect Think Tank Awards, the first awards ceremony for the sector.
Goodhart is currently working on a book, The British Dream, about multiculturalism, national identity and immigration. He handed over the Prospect editor’s chair at the end of last year to Bronwen Maddox, the former Times foreign editor, but continues to be involved as editor-at-large, mainly in a writing capacity.
David Goodhart said:
“I am delighted to be taking up the position of Director of Demos at this critical juncture for British politics. Having been at the centre of intellectual debate in British politics for over 15 years, Demos is the ideal place to continue intelligent and informed interrogation of Britain’s future.
“I extend warm thanks to Kitty Ussher whose hard work has put Demos on a strong footing for the future, and look forward to working with staff to produce the ground-breaking research that Demos is famed for.
“As well as championing Demos’ long-standing research programmes I will build on its reputation as a centre of engaged but critical thought that transcends party dogma and take forward a programme of research on cultural identity, diversity and citizenship—a field where the normal signposts of left and right don’t usually apply.
“I very much look forward to leading Demos through this exciting time with research that is socially grounded, intellectually rigorous and responsive to public concern.”
Philip Collins, Chair of Trustees at Demos, said:
“With his credentials as a public intellectual David will provide the thought leadership that will ensure that Demos is at the heart of political debate in the years to come.
“As Demos continues to flourish as the UK’s leading independent think tank, we look forward to our busiest ever party conference season and an autumn of innovative, ground-breaking research. Demos remains committed to being intensely political while remaining free of party political ties.”
David Goodhart will officially take up his post in December. He looks forward to joining Demos at this year’s forthcoming party conferences and will host receptions at Labour and Conservative Party conferences.
ENDS.
Contact
Beatrice Karol Burks
beatrice@demos.co.uk
020 7367 6325
079 2947 4938