At the Faculty of Philology of the University of Tetova, on December 22, 2025, a lecture titled “Analyzing Brexit: International Discourse in the run-up of the UK’s 2016 EU Referendum” was delivered by Anthony Ridge-Newman, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Creative Arts and Humanities at Liverpool Hope University.
The lecture was held at the premises of the Faculty of Philology and was attended with great interest by students and academic staff. It provided an analysis of the political and international discourse that preceded the 2016 referendum in the United Kingdom, as well as the consequences of this process for Europe and international relations.
In her welcoming address, the Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Prof. Dr. Emine Shabani, praised the presence of Professor Ridge-Newman, emphasizing that it represents an important testament to the significance of international academic cooperation and the exchange of ideas. She highlighted that universities are not only spaces for learning, but also bridges that connect different perspectives, academic cultures, and ways of critical and creative thinking. According to her, the historical experience of Brexit has affected not only the United Kingdom, but also the future of Europe and beyond, opening profound debates on sovereignty, European integration, national identity, and international relations.
Dean further emphasized that for students, this lecture represents a call for critical thinking and for analyzing complex policies, as well as for understanding the direct impact of political decisions on the lives of citizens.
Meanwhile, the Head of the study program English Language and Literature, Asst. Prof. Dr. Lindita Skenderi, welcomed the attendees and spoke about the purpose of organizing this lecture, stressing that language departments are not merely places where grammar and vocabulary are taught, but spaces where meaning, identity, power, and society are examined through discourse. She highlighted that the study of the English language, as well as languages in general, is essential in today’s world, as English functions as a global medium through which political narratives, public debates, and institutional discourses are produced, circulated, and challenged beyond borders.
The Faculty of Philology of the University of Tetova continuously engages in organizing activities that promote critical thinking, intercultural dialogue, and the connection of students with contemporary developments.
