Humza Yousaf to lead university masterclasses on political debate

Former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf will deliver two masterclasses as part of the University of Edinburgh’s new Common Ground leadership programme. The sessions are designed to help students develop skills for robustly debating their beliefs and understanding differing viewpoints within an increasingly polarised political landscape.

Yousaf, who served as First Minister from March 2023 to May 2024, intends to use his 15 years of experience in frontline politics to address what he described as a “deeply polarised, and often toxic” public discourse. The programme aims to equip students with practical tools to build common ground, which organisers hope will assist them in navigating social and professional divides in the future.