Professor Chris Brink was born and grew up in a sleepy rural town on the southern edge of the Kalahari desert. Since then, as a student and academic, he has lived and worked in the UK, South Africa, Australia and the USA. Now that he's here and leading Newcastle University he's determined to harness his academic and leadership experience to clarify the University's role and standing and build a new type of university that's fit for the future.

If you want to learn what universities of the 21st century are for; what Chris Brink means by the co-production of knowledge; have a better understanding of the role of a civic university and the main drivers for Newcastle's engagement; or learn about innovative ways to widen student recruitment ...or just to meet Chris Brink - this conversation is a must!