RECLAIMING THE SPIRIT OF PUBLIC DEBATE

SHAPING THE FUTURE THROUGH DEBATE

9 – 10 OCTOBER 2021 | CHURCH HOUSE, 27 GREAT SMITH STREET, SW1P 3NZ

BATTLEOFID

EAS.ORG

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FIDEAS | #BATTLEFEST

FREE SPEECH ALLOWED!

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REGISTRATION: SATURDAY FROM 9:00, SUNDAY FROM 09:30, GROUND FLOOR

WELCOME TO THE BATTLE OF IDEAS FESTIVAL 2021 After what feels like more than a year of delays, cancellations and disappointment, the Battle of Ideas festival is back. Since 2005, we have been carving out a space for public debate, bringing together hundreds of speakers and thousands of attendees to discuss the key issues of our time. We believe that hashing things out in the public square helps us to understand better the world as it is and, perhaps, how it should be.

Last autumn, for the first time in its history, the festival could not take place. Covid restrictions meant public gatherings were outlawed and political discussion confined to social media and Zoom calls – a powerful reminder of the importance of face-to-face interaction. The return of the Battle of Ideas festival in London is therefore much anticipated. We’re taking over historic Church House in central London – a People’s Takeover of Westminster after a year of isolation. But we’re not stopping there, with a second festival in Buxton on 30 October taking the Battle of Ideas spirit way beyond the confines of the metropolis, and satellite events across the UK and Europe. We’re making this comeback matter.

HELP US RECLAIM THE SPIRIT OF PUBLIC DEBATE One issue stands over everything: the pandemic and its consequences. The disease itself has been bad enough, but we also need to deal with the impact on society of the lockdowns. Previously sacrosanct freedoms have been called into question, public spending has skyrocketed and precedents have been set for the regulation of our lives that could have an impact on everything from the way we deal with climate change to our individual lifestyles.

The situation we find ourselves in has been touted as the ‘new normal’. We are surrounded by slogans, from Build Back Better to the Great Reset. Even our sense of history seems set to divide between BC and AC – Before Covid and After Covid. But is this new normal something to welcome or fear?

Despite life being put on hold during the pandemic, there have been big political changes over the past two years. From the collapse of Western influence in Afghanistan to the global riots following police shootings in the US, questions of political accountability have come to the fore. As natural disasters and energy crises hit the

headlines alongside motorway-blocking protesters, environmental issues have become central to almost every political campaign. And whether its concerns about Brexit hangovers or the question of how we socialise children, there is a growing feeling that enlightened groups and experts should have a greater say in how society is run, often at the expense of democratic accountability.

For some, breaking with tradition is a good thing, allowing us to reconsider all sorts of issues, from race to gender. On the other hand, some worry whether we’re in danger of losing sight of important gains made over decades, even centuries, from women’s rights to the importance of knowledge. As society risks becoming dominated by culture wars between different groups and beliefs, will we be able to agree on anything that could take society forward?

FREE THINKERS WELCOMEWe live in a time when censorship seems more prevalent than the days of shushing priests and damning judges, and yet things have changed. Contemporary attacks on free expression often come both from the state and from within a wide variety of institutions, from colleges to companies, museums to the media. Censorship can be subtle, and is often self-inflicted for fear of ostracisation. But throughout our festival’s history, we have always defended the need for a full and frank discussion of the problems facing society. Our motto is ‘FREE SPEECH ALLOWED’.

The Battle of Ideas festival is an intellectual journey, with many different routes to take through it. We have strands of debates to allow you to follow a particular area of interest in depth, or you can pick and choose from the great variety of discussions on offer as you fancy. Hop from a discussion on sex and intimacy to a debate on bitcoin. Quiz speakers on the status of science and nudge tactics before going on to argue over whether the Grenfell disaster has changed the future of housing.

What makes our festival unique is that it is not simply about listening to academics and commentators telling you what to think. For us, the audience IS the festival, and we actively encourage you to have your say, to challenge other people’s ideas and be challenged yourself. So, welcome to the festival – and we hope you’ll get stuck into the debates!

Alastair Donald and Ella Whelan co-convenors, Battle of Ideas festival

WHY THE BATTLE OF IDEAS FESTIVAL 2021?

BATTLE CHAMPIONS

STUDENT CHAMPION

SCHOOLS CHAMPION

PRODUCED BYBattle of Ideas festival in London brings together around 300 speakers for over 70 debates over the course of a single weekend.

This brochure will help you plan and navigate your visit to the festival. The debates are primarily organised by themed topic areas that we call ‘strands’ with each debate in a strand running across the day in the same room. For example, the ‘Culture Wars’ strand on Sunday includes discussions on feminism, sport, racism and equality. You can choose to follow one strand throughout the day, or pick and choose debates from different strands on the topics that interest you.

Whatever you decide to do, with such a wide range of debates and discussion, we are sure there will be plenty for you to think about and enjoy.

SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER See timetable pages 4 – 5KEYNOTE CONTROVERSIES

FREE SPEECH

BATTLE FOR THE ECONOMY

INSTITUTIONAL MELTDOWN

LIFE, DEATH & MORALITY

YOUNG LIVES

CHANGING PLACES

LETTERS ON LIBERTY

CULTURE CLUB

FOR FULL DETAILS OF ALL STRANDS, DEBATES & SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES, SEE BATTLEOFIDEAS.ORG.UK

SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER See timetable pages 8 – 9KEYNOTE CONTROVERSIES

CULTURE WARS

STATE OF THE NATION

MORAL MAZE

BATTLE OVER SCIENCE

CONTEMPORARY CONTROVERSIES

BATTLE FOR EDUCATION

LETTERS ON LIBERTY

BATTLE BOOK CLUB

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KEYNOTE CONTROVERSIESASSEMBLY HALLFIRST FLOOR

SHOULD WE RESIST THE NEW NORMAL?Kate AndrewsJames BloodworthMatthew GoodwinTom SlaterChair: Claire Fox

WHO ARE WE? IDENTITY IN CRISISDr Rakib EhsanProfessor Frank FurediChair: Ella Whelan

GOING GREEN: ECO-DOGMA OR SALVATION?Dr Shahrar AliSabine Beppler-SpahlHeydon ProwseAustin WilliamsChair: Alastair Donald

SOCIAL SOLIDARITY AFTER SOCIAL ISOLATIONPaul EmberyInaya Folarin ImanDr Tiffany JenkinsLord MoylanChair: Jacob Reynolds

LUNCH LUNCH LUNCHIS THERE A CASE FOR FOSSIL FUELS?Tony Gilland in conversation with Dr Caspar Hewett and Don Watkins

LUNCH LUNCH LUNCHIS IT OVER FOR THE ROYALS?Fraser Myers in conversation with Tessa Clarke and Rafe Heydel-Mankoo

LUNCHTHE SCOTTISH QUESTIONAlastair Donald in conversation with Marion Calder and Stuart Waiton

LUNCHEXERCISING OUR IMAGINATION: POETRY AND THE PUBLIC CONVERSATIONDr Shirley Dent in conversation with Dr Andrew Calcutt and Joe Nutt

FROM GB NEWS TO BEN & JERRY’S: BOYCOTTS OR CENSORSHIP?Nick Buckley MBEJodie GinsbergFraser MyersPeter WhittleChair: Paddy Hannam

THE FSU FILES: HOW TO FIGHT ‘CANCEL CULTURE’ AND WINSam BaylissNick Buckley MBELisa KeoghHarry MillerGillian PhilipChair: Toby Young

FREE SPEECH NATION LIVE WITH ANDREW DOYLESpecial edition of GB News show with Andrew Doyle and guests including Nick Dixon, Professor Dennis Hayes, Professor Eric Kaufmann and Abi Roberts

THE BATTLE FOR BITCOINDonald ClarkFrances CoppolaJeremy HildrethJemima KellyJames WoudhuysenChair: Tom Bailey

FROM PROFITS TO PROPHETS: WHY HAS BIG BUSINESS GONE WOKE?Laura Bierer-NielsenKonstantin KisinProfessor Vicky PryceDr Diane Wei LiangJames WoudhuysenChair: Rob Killick

WILL GREEN JOBS SAVE US?Daniel Ben-AmiBen PileMartin PowellProfessor Vicky PryceChair: Rob Lyons

WHO, WTO, NATO… INTERNATIONAL ORDER IN CRISIS?Nick Busvine OBEMary DejevskyJoan HoeyBruno MaçãesChair: Phil Mullan

CAN TV EVER BE IMPARTIAL?Becca HutsonEve KayJo PhillipsDominique SamuelsChair: Liam Deacon

THE SOCIAL JUSTICE MARCH THROUGH THE INSTITUTIONSCarrie ClarkMaya ForstaterLuke GittosMarc SidwellChair: Claire Fox

ASSISTED DYING: HAS ITS TIME COME?David PearceProfessor Katherine SleemanDr Kevin YuillChair: Joel Cohen

GIRL, BOY, OTHER: HOW DO WE TALK TO KIDS ABOUT GENDER?Chrissie DazRose Frimpong Dr Deborah Hayton Dr Claire McGuigganKaty Jon Went Chair: Ella Whelan

20 YEARS IN AFGHANISTAN: WHAT HAPPENED?Peymana AssadDr Philip CunliffeMick HumeBruno MaçãesAli MirajChair: Bruno Waterfield

FROM TEEN VACCINES TO SCHOOL STRIKES – WHO’S IN CHARGE?Tarjinder GillEmma GillandSally MillardMartin RobinsonChair: Mo Lovatt

FILM: ISLAMOPHOBIA – THE ACCUSATION THAT SILENCES DISSENT?Ruby AliChristopher BeckettKhadija KhanChair: Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthbert

DEBATING MATTERS:‘TECH COMPANIESSHOULD ACT TOSTOP ONLINEMISINFORMATION’Schools: Richmond upon ThamesCollege vs Queen Elizabeth’sGrammar School, FavershamJudges:Pamela Dow, Steve Kelleher, Ellie Lee

GROUNDED? LOCKDOWN AND THE FUTURE OF TRAVELMadalina BenderschiJennifer HowzeAlexander JanKevin McCullaghShelagh McNerneyChair: Austin Williams

REMOTE WORKING: WILL WE BE ZOOMING OUT OF THE OFFICE?Julia Hobsbawm OBETony MatharuAdam RawcliffeRebecca ReidRichard TiceChair: Para Mullan

FROM GRENFELL TO THE GREENBELT: THE FUTURE OF HOUSINGMartin BoydSimon ElmerCharlotte GillDr Michael OwensChair: Sam Parker

LETTERS ON LIBERTY: THE FREEDOM OF THE OPEN ROADLecturer: Hilton HollowayRespondents: Rita KrishnaLord SharpeChair: Niall Crowley

LETTERS ON LIBERTY: UNSHACKLING INTIMACYLecturer: Ralph LeonardRespondents:Neil DavenportSuzi GodsonChair: Dr Shirley Lawes

CAN CULTURE SURVIVE THE CULTURE WARS?Jan BowmanDolan CummingsJonathan GrantJosephine HusseyDr Philip KiszelyChair: Jane Sandeman

IS ‘CANCEL CULTURE’ KILLING COMEDY? REALLY? Speakers include:Alex DaleAndrew DoyleSimon EvansChair: Andy Shaw

HATE, HERESY AND THE FIGHT FOR FREE SPEECHDr Piers BennJames MurrayKathleen StockJames TooleyDr Joanna WilliamsChair: Timandra Harkness

THE POST–PANDEMIC RECOVERY: HOW IS IT GOING?Brian DennyLiam HalliganCatherine McBridePhil MullanChair: Rob Lyons

IS THE NHS FIT FOR PURPOSE?Dr Frankie AndersonParth PatelProfessor Karol SikoraChristopher SnowdonDolly TheisChair: Dave Clements

CARE FOR THE ELDERLY: THE FORGOTTEN MINORITY?Sue CookJon HolbrookJenny MorrisonEd RennieChair: Hilary Salt

PANDEMIC OR PANDAEMONIUM: ARE THE KIDS ALRIGHT?Jennie BristowLiz ColeDaria ErmolenkoSarah StandishChair: Louise Burton

VACCINE PASSPORTS: THE KEY TO THE CITY?Silkie CarloAlberto GiubiliniAlan MillerAli MirajChair: Austin Williams

FREE SPEECHHOARE MEMORIAL HALLFIRST FLOOR

BATTLE FOR THE ECONOMYCONVOCATION HALLFIRST FLOOR

INSTITUTIONAL MELTDOWNROOM 511FIFTH FLOOR

LIFE, DEATH & MORALITYROOM 512FIFTH FLOOR

YOUNG LIVESOLD OFFICELOWER GROUND

CHANGING PLACESROBERT RUNCIE ROOMLOWER GROUND

LETTERS ON LIBERTYCOUNCIL ROOMGROUND FLOOR

CULTURE CLUBABBEY ROOMGROUND FLOOR

10:15 – 11:45

12:15 – 13:30

14:45 – 16:15

16:45 – 18:15

LUNCH13:30 – 14:45

SESSIONS 13:45 – 14:30

BATTLE OF IDEAS FESTIVAL 2021 WELCOME ADDRESS WITH ALASTAIR DONALD, BEN DELO & JAMES TOOLEY • ASSEMBLY HALL

BATTLE OF IDEAS FESTIVAL 2021 DRINKS RECEPTION55 BROADWAY, LONDON SW1H 0BD

ABOVE ST JAMES’S PARK UNDERGROUND STATION

BATTLE OF IDEAS FESTIVAL 2021 WELCOME ADDRESS WITH ALASTAIR DONALD, BEN DELO AND JAMES TOOLEY • ASSEMBLY HALL

BATTLE OF IDEAS FESTIVAL 2021 DRINKS RECEPTION55 BROADWAY, LONDON SW1H 0BD

ABOVE ST JAMES’S PARK UNDERGROUND STATION

9:45 – 10:00

18:15 – 20:30

LUNCHFROM EGG FREEZING TO ABORTION: A WOMAN’S RIGHT TO CHOOSE?Ella Whelan in conversation with Ann Furedi and Sandy Starr

CHURCH HOUSEThere could be no better venue for a weekend festival of open-ended discussion - what we’re calling a People’s Takeover of Westminster - than Church House.

Dubbed the ‘Parliament House of the Church of England’ when first proposed in 1886, it is now home to the headquarters of the Church of England. The original Church House was founded in 1887, built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, but it took until June 1937 for the foundation stone to be laid by Queen Mary.

Now a Grade II listed building, Church House was designed by the renowned architect Sir Herbert Baker. Its walls resonate with history and debate - as a chamber for the General Synod, it also provided a meeting place for the two Houses of Parliament during the Second World War. Many historic speeches and events took place within the building during this time, in particular Churchill’s announcement from the stage of the Hoare Memorial Hall of the sinking of the battleship Bismarck and the loss of HMS Hood off Greenland.

The building became a venue for important press conferences, including those before the Coronation and after Churchill’s death. In 1945, the first meetings of the United Nations Preparatory Commission and Security Council were held in the Hoare Memorial Hall. After the war, the building became a collecting-point for documents and testimonies to be submitted at the Nuremberg trials.

BATTLE OF IDEAS 2021 FESTIVAL DRINKS RECEPTIONSATURDAY 18:15 – 20:30

A chance for festival attendees to relax, continue the debates informally and enjoy a drink on behalf of Blue Orchid Hotels.

Ella Whelan, co-convenor, Battle of Ideas festival

With

Ben Delo

Claire Fox, director, Academy of Ideas

Tony Matharu, founder, Blue Orchid Hotels; founder, Central London Alliance

55 BROADWAY, LONDON SW1H 0BD (ABOVE ST JAMES’S PARK UNDERGROUND STATION)

BATTLE OF IDEAS 2021 END OF FESTIVAL DRINKSSUNDAY 18:30 – 20:00

Following the final festival panel debates, come have a drink on us, offer a toast to liberty and carry on the debates informally in this special drinks reception, courtesy of the vice chancellor of the University of Buckingham.

BISHOP PARTRIDGE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, CHURCH HOUSE

“Battle of Ideas festival is vital for debate. Always energising and unmissable.”Julia Hobsbawm OBE, chair, The Workshift Commission

“This is why I like #BattleFest. There’s a very broad range of views, but no nastiness and a chance for all to be heard.”Lisa Mckenzie, academic; author, Getting By: estates, class and culture in austerity Britain

“In a world where people are increasingly fearful of speaking out in case they cause “offence”, this festival is a wonderfully refreshing opportunity to hear and contribute new ideas and challenges to staid, orthodox thinking.”Lord Moylan

“Battle of Ideas festival gave me hope that there are many individuals willing to debate and take a collaborative approach to resolving some of today’s greatest social and political challenges.”Jessica Butcher MBE, commissioner, Equality and Human Rights Commission

“For me, volunteering for #BattleFest is about being part of an organisation that is innovative. The festival has a great atmosphere, where people can meet interesting speakers and volunteers.”Roberta, Battle of Ideas festival volunteer

“A fantastic couple of days of genuine honest debate with people from a range of different points of view.”Tarjinder Gill, teacher; writing lead, Primary English Education Consultancy

“What a refreshing change to the empty groupthink that informs so much of public life!”Andy Shaw, co-founder, Comedy Unleashed

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KEYNOTE CONTROVERSIESASSEMBLY HALLFIRST FLOOR

WHAT ARE WESTERN VALUES – AND SHOULD WE DEFEND THEM?Professor Aaqil AhmedDr Stephen Blackwood Professor Frank FurediJodie Ginsberg, Tim StanleyChair: Claire Fox

FROM COVID TO CLIMATE CHANGE: CHALLENGING THE CULTURE OF FEARSherelle JacobsLaurie Laybourn-LangtonNikos SotirakopoulosBruno Waterfield Chair: Rob Lyons

FEMINISM’S CIVIL WARJulie BindelBelinda de LucyNaomi FirshtInaya Folarin ImanChair: Ella Whelan

CAN SPORT SURVIVE THE CULTURE WARS? Duleep AllirajahDonald ClarkSophie CorcoranOscar LopezChair: Geoff Kidder

FROM HGV DRIVERS TO BRICKLAYERS: HOW DO WE SOLVE THE SKILLS CRISIS?Tom BewickVictoria HewsonKelvin HopkinsRick Moore, Linda MurdochChair: Justine Brian

THE IRISH BORDER QUESTION: CAN THE UNION SURVIVE?Speakers include: Peter CardwellMick Fealty/ Slugger O’TooleAndrée MurphyPeter RamsayChair: Kevin Rooney

LET’S TALK ABOUT RACEArif AhmedKatharine BirbalsinghDr Jim ButcherDr Marie K DaoudaTomiwa Owolade Chair: Ike Ijeh

FROM ANIMAL SENTIENCE TO VEGANISM: IS HUMAN EXCEPTIONALISM UNDER THREAT?Dr Piers BennAnn Furedi, Lord MoylanDr Jeanette Rowley Chair: Kirk Leech

IS IT TIME TO RETHINK THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE?Max Sanderson in conversation with Professor Bill Durodiéand Professor Sunetra Gupta

CAN OUR DATA BE USED FOR GOOD? THE ETHICS OF RESEARCHTracey Follows Dr Emma Gordon Timandra HarknessGuy HerbertChair: Jacob Reynolds

FROM CHINA WITH LOVE? SOCIAL CREDIT SYSTEMSTracey FollowsRuby OsmanDr Patrik SchumacherDr Radomir TylecoteChair: Austin Williams

BOOKSHOP BARNIE: KERRY BROWN ON CHINAAuthor; Kerry BrownChair: Austin Williams

IS IT TIME TO SCRAP EXAMS?Speakers include:Dr David JamesDavid PerksChair: Toby Marshall

SELLING OUT: THE MCDONALDISATION OF UNIVERSITIESDr Philip CunliffeRebecca LoweLisa MckenzieProfessor Len ShackletonChair: Professor Dennis Hayes

LETTERS ON LIBERTY: TAKING CONSCIENCE SERIOUSLYLecturer: Dolan CummingsRespondents:Dr Adrian HiltonDr Vanessa PupavacChair: Prof Ellie Lee

WHAT’S THE POINT OF READING NOVELS IN AN ERA OF NETFLIX?Elisabetta GasparoniGeorge HarrisonPhil HarrisonDr Maren ThomChair: Simon McKeon

DISINFORMATION AND CONSPIRACY: TACKLING THE CRISIS OF TRUSTDr Tim BlackWilliam CloustonSean Lang, Mo LovattAllison PearsonChair: Alastair Donald

STUCK IN THE PRESENT WITH YOU: POLITICAL CHANGE IN AN ERA OF PESSIMISMAaron BastaniLord Maurice GlasmanJacob ReynoldsBaroness Tina StowellRobert TombsChair: Claire Fox

LUNCH LUNCH LUNCHIS LEVELLING UP REALLY LEVELLING DOWN? THE GREAT INEQUALITY DEBATE Kevin Rooney in conversation with Hilary Salt and Don Watkins

LUNCH LUNCH

RACISM AND HOW TO FIGHT ITKunle OlulodeProfessor Patrick Vernon OBE Chair: Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthbert

PROTECTION FOR ME BUT NOT FOR THEE? THE EQUALITY CONUNDRUMAllison BaileyJessica Butcher MBESamantha DaviesJames HeartfieldBarry WallChair: Mo Lovatt

WHO IS THE PARTY OF THE POOR?Katy BallsEmily BarleyLord Maurice GlasmanSebastian PayneTom SlaterChair: Jacob Furedi

DISUNITED KINGDOM: THE REBIRTH OF NATIONS?Dr Richard JohnsonPenny LewisAlex SalmondChristopher SnowdonMax Wind-CowieChair: Alastair Donald

ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS: WHAT ROLE DOES RELIGION PLAY TODAY?Speakers include:Rev. Canon Dr Giles FraserAbbot Christopher JamisonJane SandemanChair: Claire Fox

FROM GILLICK COMPETENCE TO VACCINES: THE PARENTAL CONSENT CONUNDRUMKathryn FlettDr Ashley FrawleyDr Tony HintonBeverley MarshallChair: Ann Furedi

THE STATUS OF SCIENCE AFTER THE PANDEMICSpeakers include:Dr Daniel GlaserDr Günes Taylor Dr Stuart RitchieChair: Sandy Starr

A ‘NUDGE’ TOO FAR? THE RISE OF BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOCRATIC RULEDr NobuLali DangazeleLaura DodsworthProfessor Frank FurediProfessor Peter JohnChair: Timandra Harkness

THE RISE AND RISE OF BIG TECHAmali de Alwis Dr Norman LewisJason Miller Andrew OrlowskiFreddie SayersChair: Martyn Perks

BALLOON DEBATE: WHAT’S THE GREATEST MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH?Speakers include:Steve KelleherHilary SaltGabriele SartorisDr Günes TaylorCompère: David Bowden

LUNCHLAUNCH: THE NEW TABOO Inaya Folarin Iman in conversation with Rob Lownie and Daniel Sharp

LUNCHCLIMATE CHANGE: ARE SCHOOLS GETTING IT RIGHT?Dr Alex Standish in conversation with Kirsty Holderand others

LUNCHHOT OFF THE PRESSTo be announced

LUNCHIS WOKE POLITICS THE DEATH OF ROCK’N’ROLL?Dr Carlton Brick in conversation with Dr Philip Kiszely and Joel Mills

REIMAGINING SCHOOLSDr Tony BreslinRowenna DavisMark LehainHarley RichardsonChair: Gareth Sturdy

HISTORY WARSNicolas KinlochDr Sean LangDr Alka Sehgal CuthbertSean WalshChair: Kevin Rooney

LETTERS ON LIBERTY: ART AGAINST ORTHODOXYLecturer:JJ CharlesworthRespondents:Manick GovindaVicky RichardsonChair: Dr Wendy Earle

PUBLISH AND BE DAMNED?Tim AbrahamsBen CobleyMasimba MusodzaEmma WebbChair: Pauline Hadaway

CULTURE WARSHOARE MEMORIAL HALLFIRST FLOOR

STATE OF THE NATIONCONVOCATION HALLFIRST FLOOR

MORAL MAZEROOM 511FIFTH FLOOR

BATTLE OVER SCIENCEROOM 512FIFTH FLOOR

CONTEMPORARY CONTROVERSIESOLD OFFICELOWER GROUND

BATTLE FOR EDUCATIONROBERT RUNCIE ROOMLOWER GROUND

LETTERS ON LIBERTYCOUNCIL ROOMGROUND FLOOR

BATTLE BOOK CLUBABBEY ROOMGROUND FLOOR

10:30 – 12:00

12:30 – 13:45

15:00 – 16:30

17:00 – 18:30

LUNCH13:45 – 15:00

SESSIONS14:00 – 14:45

BATTLE OF IDEAS 2021 END OF FESTIVAL DRINKSBISHOP PARTRIDGE HALL, FIRST FLOOR

BATTLE OF IDEAS 2021 END OF FESTIVAL DRINKSBISHOP PARTRIDGE HALL, FIRST FLOOR18:30

#BATTLEFEST

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JOIN THE AOIThe Battle of Ideas festival takes place annually with Academy of Ideas associates receiving significant reductions on ticket prices. The Academy of Ideas also runs a range of forums covering education, the economy, social policy, arts and society, and a book club. 

Join us as an associate, come along to the festival and our various forum discussions and subscribe to our monthly newsletter. Help us shape the future through debate.

For further details, visit academyofideas.org.uk/support

THE ACADEMY ONLINEREGISTER NOW

THEME: THE ELITE – OLD AND NEW Saturday 13 NovemberAcademy Online is boi charity’s answer to the shrinking of horizons imposed by the pandemic. Attendees from around the world gather together to interrogate the intellectual history behind the most important contemporary trends in a day of lectures and discussions. In November, Academy Online will return to discuss the changing face of the elite. From corporate virtue signalling to a renewed debate about ‘globalists’ and the role of international institutions in shaping policy, many suggest that there is a ‘new elite’ who draw power less from material factors and more from their success with cultural issues such as symbols, ideas and causes.How do we understand the elite? Are elites simply moving with the times, adapting to new causes and values? How far does the elite’s anxious embrace of new values signal a change in the composition of the elite – or is it just the same old powerful forces finding a new, more modern justification of their power?Tickets are free, with a suggested donation of £25For further details and tickets, visit: theboi.co.uk/academy-online-iv

Open debate has been suffocated by today’s censorious climate and there is little cultural support for freedom as a foundational value.

We stand on the shoulders of giants, but we can’t simply rely on the thinkers of the past to work out what liberty means today or how best to argue for it.

Drawing on the tradition of radical pamphlets from the 17th century onwards – designed to be argued over in the pub as much as in parliament – each Letter stakes a claim for how to forge a freer society in the here and now.

Buy Letters on Liberty and take on the challenge of fighting for freedom in the 21st century.

See academyofideas.org.uk/letters-on-liberty

BUXTON BATTLE OF IDEAS FESTIVALSaturday 30 October 2021

Devonshire Dome, Buxton

battleofideas.org.uk/buxton

BATTLE OF IDEAS FESTIVAL IS CURATED BY THE BATTLE OF IDEAS COMMITTEE COMPRISING VOLUNTEER SESSION PRODUCERSTHE FESTIVAL INCLUDING WEBSITE AND BROCHURE IS PRODUCED BY THE DEDICATED TEAM AT THE ACADEMY OF IDEAS: ALASTAIR DONALD, CLAIRE FOX, GEOFF KIDDER, ROB LYONS, MO LOVATT, JACOB REYNOLDS & ELLA WHELAN

IT SUPPORT & REGISTRATION CO-ORDINATION SIMON BELT, SIMPLY BETTER IT

UK BATTLE SATELLITES PROGRAMME MO LOVATT & UK SALON NETWORK

WEBSITE & BROCHURE DESIGN WINTER DESIGN

BROCHURE PRINTING DIANE EGLIN & TEAM AT RAPSPIDERWEB

BANNERS PRINTING ANDY SHARROD & TEAM AT MIRAFIELD GRAPHICS

FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHS TOM FENN, MARCOS BEVILACQUA, MARCUS JAMIESON-POND, STUART MITCHELL & CHRIS SHARP

FESTIVAL FILMING CERI DINGLE, ANDREW HIRST & WORLDWRITE / WORLDBYTES TEAM

SPECIAL THANKS TO MADALINA BENDERSCHI, MICHAEL CLARKSON, BEN DELO, LAETITIA DETHY, OLI FOSTER, DENNIS HAYES, STEPHEN HARGRAVE, ADAM HILL, BILYANA ILIOVSKA, CRISTINA KOPPEL, JAN MACVARISH, ROSIE MARSHALSAY, TARA MATHARU, RUTH MIESCHBUEHLER, OMAR MOHAMED, SAULE NAVICKAITE, BRENDAN O’NEILL, SAM PARKER, VIV REGAN, HELEN SMITH & CHRISTINE SWEETMORE.

BATTLE SUPPORTERS

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL AT CHURCH HOUSE AS OUR SPECIAL PARTNER FOR PROVIDING THE BATTLE OF IDEAS FESTIVAL WITH A HOME, IN PARTICULAR: VEDRANA DANCERELLE, SUE WHITE, SARAH ROSS, BRADLEY HILL & THE AV TEAM & LOUISE DONOVAN & THE CATERING TEAM.

FINALLY, WE ARE HUGELY GRATEFUL TO OUR TEAM OF ENTHUSIASTIC & COMMITTED VOLUNTEERS, ESPECIALLY BRADLEY COOPER-BARNARD, SASKIA CLUBB & CALLUM BREESE FOR THEIR HELP BOTH BEFORE AND DURING BATTLE OF IDEAS FESTIVAL 2021.

FREE THINKERS WELCOME!

ACADEMYOFIDEAS.ORG.UK

BATTLEOFIDEAS.ORG.UK

#battlefest@instofideas