Congress to Campus

Ever wondered how American election campaigns are run? Find out from the people who have lived them - former US Congresspeople.

Congress to Campus is a totally free event for students in Year 12/Level 3 Year 1, delivered in partnership with the British Library, the Arthur Miller Institute for American Studies, and UEA's American Studies department.

You'll hear from two former US Congresspeople as they reflect on their time in government and answer your questions. Ask about the difficulties of an increasingly divided politics, how legislation actually gets passed, and what goes on behind the scenes in Congress.

When and where?

Congress to Campus takes place on Wednesday 5 November 2025 between 9.30am and 2.30pm.

This is an in-person event hosted at UEA.

Here's an outline of the schedule:

9.30am - Arrive on campus

10.15am - Take your seats in the lecture theatre

10.30am - Talk and Q&A with two former US Congresspeople

Midday - Lunch break

1.15pm - Politics session with a UEA academic

2.30pm - End of event

Who is it for?

To be eligible for Congress to Campus, you should:

• Be in Year 12 or Level 3 Year 1 and

• Live in Norfolk or Suffolk

When allocating places, priority will be given to students who meet our widening participation eligibility criteria. You can find a full list of the criteria at the bottom of this page.

Anyone with an interest in politics, history, or American studies is welcome to sign up. If you're studying A Level Politics or A Level History, the insights you gain at this event will be useful for any American or comparative politics elements of your course.

How do I sign up?

Sign-ups for Congress to Campus 2025 are now closed.

If you signed up for Congress to Campus, we will email you to confirm whether we are able to offer you a place. Please check your inbox regularly.

Speaker info

Curious about the congresspeople you'll be hearing from? Here are some brief speaker biographies:

Michael Ross (Democrat - Arkansas)

Michael Ross served in the House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013. He represented Arkansas' 4th District and remains the last Democrat to represent Arkansas in the House. Prior to his election, Ross worked for former Governor Bill Clinton and spent ten years as a state Senator. In the House, he served on the Committee for Energy and Commerce, focusing on health and matters of commerce, manufacturing, and trade.

Jeff Duncan (Republican - South Carolina)

Jeff Duncan served in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2025, representing South Carolina's 3rd District. Prior to his election, Duncan worked in community banking and ran his own real estate company. He served as a state Senator for eight years. In the House, Duncan served on the Committee on Homeland Security and and the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Frequently asked questions