David Olusoga to deliver South Shields Lecture

A renowned British historian and broadcaster is set to headline a prestigious public lecture in South Tyneside, continuing a long-running series that has attracted globally recognised speakers.

David Olusoga OBE has been confirmed as the speaker for the 2026 South Shields Lecture, the 16th event in the series that was first established in 2001. 

The lecture will take place at Harton Academy, in South Shields, on Friday, July 10.

Olusoga, a professor of public history at the University of Manchester, is widely known for his work exploring Britain’s history, empire and race through books, documentaries and television series. 

His broadcasting career includes programmes such as Black and British: A Forgotten History, The World’s War and A House Through Time, which featured 5 Ravensworth Terrace in the Summerhill area of Newcastle.

He was also a finalist in BBC’s The Celebrity Traitors, which was won by comedian Alan Carr.

Olusoga, who was born in Lagos, in Nigeria, and migrated to Britain at the age of five, growing up in Gateshead, said: “I’m thrilled to be giving this year’s South Shields Lecture and to be returning to my home region. 

“The first piece of long-form historical writing I ever produced was a thesis about the history of my hometown of Gateshead. 

“The history and the future of the North East – where much of my family still lives – 

has always been close to my heart.”

The annual lecture was founded by former South Shields MP David Miliband and has welcomed an array of high-profile speakers over the past two decades. Previous guests have included Hillary Clinton, Patrick Stewart, Danny Boyle, James Corden and former prime ministers John Major and Tony Blair.

David added: “David Olusoga is not just a world-renowned historian. 

“He is someone committed to learning from history and explaining its relevance to the contemporary world.  

“His voice is passionate and insightful, bringing humanity as well as learning to the topics that interest him.  

“These qualities – and his childhood in Gateshead – made him a natural for the South Shields Lecture.

“David brings his distinctive British-Nigerian identity to bear on the big questions of our time. 

“South Shields knows the benefits of global connections through the Yemeni, Bangladeshi and other minority communities that have made their home here.  

“David’s research and television work has made significant contributions to enhance public understanding of Black British History and the legacy of the British Empire.  

“His commitment to make history accessible is more important than ever. 

“I look forward to discussing the importance of public understanding of our past, and how our global connections influence our future.

“We’ll have a great evening on July 10.”

The event will be supported by sponsors including the University of Sunderland, Colmans of South Shields and Fenwick.

Sir David Bell, vice chancellor and chief executive of the University of Sunderland, added: “The South Shields Lecture has become a well-established fixture in the North East calendar, in no small part due to the excellent work done by David Miliband and Harton Academy in securing such brilliant speakers.

“We are very fortunate indeed to have David Olusoga as this year’s guest. 

“He brings a formidable intellect to timeless questions of race, culture and identity but does so in a way that is stimulating, engaging, and informative. 

“He will, I am sure, be given a very warm welcome as he returns once more to the region of his childhood."

Tickets for the lecture will be free, although organisers expect strong demand and tickets will be limited to two per household, with priority given to those who reside in the NE33, NE34 and SR6 postcodes. 

Requests for tickets should be made by email to: events@hartonacademy.co.uk

Please remember to include name, full address and contact number and the name and address of the other guest who will be attending, if two tickets have been requested.  

Successful ticket applicants will be advised by the end of April.  

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