About the day
This event is now closed for applications.
Sign up for our taster day to discover what it would be like to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at degree level. You will have the opportunity to meet current staff and students and to explore the campus and the benefits of studying at 糖心Vlog.
This event is free to attend. Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and eligible students can also receive a travel bursary to attend the taster day.
As an attendee, you will participate in three hands-on sessions:
Session 1: Hate Speech and Free Speech
Contemporary democracies are rife with鈥痟ate鈥痵peech. This phenomenon is particularly visible on social media, where鈥痟ate鈥痵peech鈥痯roliferates at increasing speeds and on an unprecedented scale. 鈥疊ut what exactly is鈥痟ate鈥痵peech? How might鈥痟ate鈥痵peech鈥痟arm its targets? What, relatedly, should the state do in response to鈥痟ate鈥痵peech? Should it implement laws banning鈥痟ate鈥痵peech? Or would doing so violate people’s right to free鈥痵peech? Moreover, are鈥痟ate鈥痵peech鈥痓ans a better response than simply using more鈥痵peech, or counter speech?
Session 2: Knowledge, Gender, and Race: Introducing Epistemic鈥疘njustice
Thinking about what knowledge is can often seem like an abstract project, detached from the real world. But in recent times, so-called "social epistemology" has explored how social factors shape what we can know. In this talk, we will explore鈥痚pistemic鈥痠njustice: the idea that there are ways in which you can be harmed in social settings that relate to what you can know and say.
Session 3: Why Economics?
Economics is one of the most popular subjects at university—but what is it? Beyond inflation and interest rates, it explores how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions in a world of limited resources. At its core, economics is about understanding human behaviour and the choices we make—from parenting decisions to income inequality and climate change. This taster session provides a brief introduction to the subject, exploring its scope, real-world relevance, and the range of careers it can lead to. Whether you're considering studying economics or simply curious, this session offers a valuable insight into the discipline.
Information
This taster day will be held at our Whiteknights campus. It will run from approximately 10:00 to 15:30 (or 16:30 with an optional campus tour), allowing you time to really immerse yourself in the subject and relevant department.
Make the most of your taster day
- Let us know any accessibility requirements.
- Check if you’re eligible for a travel bursary.
- Make sure to arrive with plenty of time. You will be sent a schedule for the day about a week before the event.
- Think about what you want to get out of the day, and prepare any questions for staff and students.
FAQs
What should I wear for the taster day?
Wear loose, comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear as we will be touring the university campus.
Can I park on site?
You can park on site for the taster day, but you will need to collect a parking permit and display it in your vehicle for the duration of the event. Parking permits can be collected at the registration point.
For more information, please email outreach@reading.ac.uk.
Is there somewhere to buy lunch?
We will provide a free lunch; please make sure you communicate any dietary requirements when you register for the event.

