Charlie Winstanley is an undergraduate student at the University of Sheffield, studying History. From a colourful political background in the Socialist Workers Party, he got into competitive debating through the Debating Matters competition at his 6th Form College in Blackburn (winning the Highly Commended Individual award at the National Final in 2007). Since, he has retained his links with the competition, chairing regional debates in Manchester and Sheffield, and interned for the competition in the summer of 2007. Over the past few years he has kept busy, writing several articles published on online review magazines and organising an economics reading group at Sheffield University. For the first part of last year he also worked as the project co-ordinator for an undergraduate research bursary scheme, and is currently writing an essay on symbology and propaganda he intends to put to tender.

Charlie is currently working with The Great Debate on our Schools Programme and will be a judge at the Newcastle University Year of Sustainability school debate event in November 2011.