5 September 2011

The history of Dundee’s Globalized economy begins new season of Arts Café

The history and economic and cultural significance of Dundee’s jute trade will be discussed tomorrow night in the first of a new season of Dundee Arts Café events.

Professor Jim Tomlinson, a renowned economic historian from the University of Dundee, will explain how - by the outbreak of the First World War - Dundee was one of the most economically globalized cities in the world because of its striking dependence on its main industry.

As the jute industry in Dundee declined, the city’s dependence on the rest of the world decreased. This means that, today, Dundee’s economic fortunes rest much more on political decisions in London and Edinburgh than on international events

Professor Tomlinson’s explores how and why these changes came about, and asks what significance it has for the city’s prosperity in the face of the current world economic crisis in his talk titled ‘Dundee and Globalization, 1850 - 2010’.

This talk is the first in a new season of Dundee Arts Café. Following on from last year’s highly successful inaugural season, the programme has returned with a new season of nine talks based on local cutting-edge research and work in Arts and Humanities.

The event takes place at 6pm on Tuesday, 6th September in The McManus. Entry is free and open to all. Professor Tomlinson’s talk will be followed by the opportunity for members of the audience to quiz the expert and discuss topics openly.

Please arrive early to avoid disappointment. Doors will open at 5.30pm.

Notes for Editors

Photo opportunity at the event from 5:40pm until end of event, approx. 7:30pm. Professor Tomlinson and the organisers will be available for brief interviews from 5:40-5:55pm and at the end of the event.

Dundee Arts Café showcases the best of local research in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Started in September 2011 it is a joint venture between the University of Dundee, Abertay University and The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum.

For further information please contact Jon Urch, 01382 386669 or email j.urch@dundee.ac.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277