RSA Commencement – with Michael Rosen

Michael Rosen has been at the heart of debates about childhood, creativity and education for three decades. In this inspirational RSA address, the poet, performer and former Children’s Laureate shows how true wisdom is won from a life-long process of learning through investigation, imagination, and discovery.

Introducing the second in an exciting new strand of specially curated RSA events…

RSA Commencement – with Michael Rosen

'Doing and Thinking’

Renowned poet, novelist and Children’s Laureate (2007-09) Michael Rosen will sharing insights and lessons from his life and childhood in this, the second ever RSA Commencement Address.

The so-called ‘commencement address’ is a time-honoured tradition in universities and high schools across the US.  A notable public thinker or doer is invited to give a speech to inspire, galvanise and advise an eager class of scroll-clutching graduates about to face the world.

But in the YouTube era, videos of these heartfelt doses of hard-won wisdom have reached a much wider audience than just graduates, and countless moving and practical commencement insights have swept the globe. 

We are delighted to be welcoming leading lights from around the world to give a uniquely RSA spin on this transatlantic institution, and to an all-inclusive demographic (as always, everyone is welcome at RSA events, from high-school students to centenarians).

Chair: Matthew Taylor, chief executive, RSA.

Further ‘reading’:

A 'Brainpickings' round-up of the very best commencement addresses online can be found here.

For a full transcript of Michael Rosen's speech, please check out his website here.