BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:-//AddEvent Inc//AddEvent.com v1.7//EN VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20261025T010000 RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYDAY=-1SU;BYMONTH=10 TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260329T020000 RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYDAY=-1SU;BYMONTH=3 TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:Time: 5pm arrival (for a 5.15pm start) until 6.30pm\, with optional networking from 6.30pm onwards.\n \n \nBritain is experiencing a depression - not necessarily an economic one\, but a cultural and political downturn marked by declining optimism\, weakened self-esteem\, and a widespread sense that change is no longer within our grasp. Renowned pollster and political analyst James Kanagasooriam has just completed a landmark national study examining a central factor behind this malaise: agency.\n \nAgency is the belief that you can make things happen. James’ research reveals that a weakening sense of agency across British society is not only shaping public mood\, but constraining the country’s ability to recover and thrive. His new methodology allows agency to be measured at scale for the first time\, producing insights with profound implications for business\, employment\, leadership\, and public life.\n \nIn conversation with Eddie from the John Smith Centre\, James will explore two parallel paths Britain must take to regain its confidence:\n\n1. Economic growth\, and\n2. A cultural and psychological rebuilding of agency- people believing again in their power to improve their lives\, workplaces\, and communities.\n \nThis interactive session will explore the findings of his research\, explain why rising agency is essential for growth\, and offer actionable insights for leaders.\n \nAbout the John Smith Centre\nThe John Smith Centre is a non-partisan organisation working to open doors to public life and politics for Britain’s young people. We believe every young person in the UK deserves the chance to shape the world they live in. Through internships\, courses\, campaigns and research\, we break down barriers for those who want to make a difference\, especially those who are from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds. Our board includes high profile figures from across the political spectrum who have come together to honour the memory of former Labour leader John Smith and his commitment to public service.  \n \nAbout James Kanagasooriam\nJames Kanagasooriam is one of Britain’s leading political strategists and data analysts\, widely known for pioneering new approaches to voter insight and cultural attitudes. Former Chief Research Officer at Focaldata and a key architect behind major national polling projects\, James is recognised for introducing the concept and measurement of “agency”- the belief that individuals can shape their own lives - into UK political analysis at scale. His work blends behavioural science\, data modelling and on-the-ground political understanding\, making him a sought-after adviser to businesses\, policymakers\, and organisations seeking to understand the forces reshaping Britain today. James leads the John Smith Centre’s polling research. X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:Time: 5pm arrival (for a 5.15pm start) until 6.30pm, with optional networking from 6.30pm onwards.
 
 
Britain is experiencing a depression - not necessarily an economic one, but a cultural and political downturn marked by declining optimism, weakened self-esteem, and a widespread sense that change is no longer within our grasp. Renowned pollster and political analyst James Kanagasooriam has just completed a landmark national study examining a central factor behind this malaise: agency.
 
Agency is the belief that you can make things happen. James’ research reveals that a weakening sense of agency across British society is not only shaping public mood, but constraining the country’s ability to recover and thrive. His new methodology allows agency to be measured at scale for the first time, producing insights with profound implications for business, employment, leadership, and public life.
 
In conversation with Eddie from the John Smith Centre, James will explore two parallel paths Britain must take to regain its confidence:

1. Economic growth, and
2. A cultural and psychological rebuilding of agency- people believing again in their power to improve their lives, workplaces, and communities.
 
This interactive session will explore the findings of his research, explain why rising agency is essential for growth, and offer actionable insights for leaders.
 
About the John Smith Centre
The John Smith Centre is a non-partisan organisation working to open doors to public life and politics for Britain’s young people. We believe every young person in the UK deserves the chance to shape the world they live in. Through internships, courses, campaigns and research, we break down barriers for those who want to make a difference, especially those who are from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds. Our board includes high profile figures from across the political spectrum who have come together to honour the memory of former Labour leader John Smith and his commitment to public service.  
 
About James Kanagasooriam
James Kanagasooriam is one of Britain’s leading political strategists and data analysts, widely known for pioneering new approaches to voter insight and cultural attitudes. Former Chief Research Officer at Focaldata and a key architect behind major national polling projects, James is recognised for introducing the concept and measurement of “agency”- the belief that individuals can shape their own lives - into UK political analysis at scale. His work blends behavioural science, data modelling and on-the-ground political understanding, making him a sought-after adviser to businesses, policymakers, and organisations seeking to understand the forces reshaping Britain today. James leads the John Smith Centre’s polling research. UID:1775624706addeventcom SUMMARY:NED - Agency\, Optimism and Britain’s Future\, featuring renowned pollster and political analyst\, James Kanagasooriam and Eddie Barnes from the John Smith Centre  DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260318T170000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260318T190000 DTSTAMP:20260408T050506Z TRANSP:OPAQUE STATUS:CONFIRMED SEQUENCE:0 LOCATION:Cavendish\, 1 Bartholomew Close\, London\, EC1A 7BL X-MICROSOFT-CDO-BUSYSTATUS:BUSY BEGIN:VALARM TRIGGER:-PT30M ACTION:DISPLAY DESCRIPTION:Reminder END:VALARM END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR