The Jean Monnet public lecture, hosted by the University’s School of Law, is entitled, 'If Obama's America is struggling to make soft power work, what chance does Europe have?' 

David Rennie joined The Economist in 2007 as European Union correspondent and Charlemagne columnist, based in Brussels. Previously he was on the foreign staff at the Daily Telegraph, with postings in Sydney (1998), Beijing (1998 to 2002), Washington DC (2002 to 2005) and Brussels (2005 to 2007).

From 2006 until he joined The Economist, David was also a contributing editor of The Spectator. He worked for the Daily Telegraph in London (1996 to 1998), and the Evening Standard (1992 to 1996).  He has reported from more than 40 countries, covering riots and earthquakes in central and north east Asia, dissidents in Cuba, elections on four continents, and the war in Afghanistan (2001).

The lecture is organised by Professor Panos Koutrakos for the University’s School of Law under the aegis of the Jean Monnet Chair in European Law granted by the European Commission.

Panos Koutrakos, Professor of EU Law at the University, said: 'David Rennie is one of the most authoritative commentators of European affairs, and the University of Bristol is delighted to welcome him. We should all learn more about the European Union, and this is an excellent opportunity to do so.’

The event takes place at 12 noon on Friday 30 April in the University’s Old Council Chamber, Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Clifton, Bristol.