Your preview of the Battle of Ideas festival, 28 & 29 October 2023

Get your tickets to our annual festival, where the only ban is on self-censorship and where free speech isn't just allowed - it's celebrated

Crisis seems to be the word of the year - energy crisis, cost-of-living crisis, climate crisis, housing crisis… The list goes on. Living in the midst of rolling crises can be exhausting, especially when so many of the challenges we face have been long in the making.

Here at the Academy of Ideas we’ve always believed that in order to understand the present, we need to unpeel the reasons for trends beyond present fashions and soundbites and get to grips with influences from the past. From the NHS to the dire state of the British economy, the problems we face have not emerged overnight. By engaging in frank and open discussion, we’ve got more of a chance of coming up with the solutions for the future than we would staying at home shouting at the television.

This is why the Battle of Ideas festival exists - to provide an open, public space where the only ban is on self censorship. There is so much to discuss, from the sudden emergence of Chat GPT and AI into our daily lives to the future of sport in an age of kneeling, chanting and boycotts. We will ask the big political questions - like what’s in store for the US post election, or what a Labour Party victory might change for British politics? We’ll also dig deep into some of the more niche trends in public life - like why we’re all obsessed with True Crime, or whether it’s possible to be gender critical on campus any more?

Those of you who know the Battle will recognise our Keynotes strand, where we try to tussle with big ideas. Have we given up on progress? Why is social conservatism making such a comeback - particularly among a younger generation keen to spurn sexual freedom? And how does something like conscience play into the way we understand duty and responsibility in today’s political battles?

As well as panel debates, we’ll have lectures from new authors, breakfast banters on hot-off-the-press issues, expert explainers answering questions like ‘who are the elite’? and ‘what is the blob’? Fans of our Letters on Liberty will be pleased to know we’re planning a series of themed discussions on freedom, as well as strands investigating key issues in the arts, science, medicine and technological innovations.

It might sometimes feel like little has changed in politics - indeed, apathy and exhaustion is something we want to investigate at this year’s festival. But it’s also true that a lot has changed since the last time we met at Church House in October 2022. We have a new King being crowned, a new-ish relationship with the EU under Rishi Sunak’s Windsor Framework and the prospect of a new government if the polls are to be believed about a 2024 General Election. We’ll also be looking beyond domestic issues to international questions - like the shifting geopolitical tensions in Europe as the war in Ukraine continues, and what the consequences might be for worsening relationships with China.

This is just a flavour of some of the ideas we’re throwing around the office as we plan for this year’s festival. There is a lot to cover - from questions over surrogacy to the future of museums; from the influence of Andrew Tate on young men to finding real solutions to climate alarmism; or from figuring out WhatsAppened (sorry!) to privacy to understanding the scandals in maternity services. Not to mention the cost of childcare, energy security, geopolitical earthquakes and the future of populism. 

With over 100 debates across the 48 hours of the Battle of Ideas festival, join the thousands of attendees who come together to figure out the future of political life. Just up the road from Westminster, think of us as the people’s parliament. Tickets are now on sale with super early-bird discounts. Click the button below to get yours - see you there.

Our paid Substack subscribers can take advantage of discounted ‘associate’ rates, so sign up now!

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Free tickets for school pupils

We are delighted to make the following special offer to school pupils: a free day-ticket to the Battle of Ideas festival, for either Saturday 28 or Sunday 29 October. And if you want to attend the whole weekend you can do so for just £10 for the other day!

Just email schoolschampion@academyofideas.org.uk stating which day you would like to attend free, the name of your school and an email address to send your free ticket to.

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Volunteer at the Battle of Ideas festival 2023

Volunteering as a steward or a coordinator at the festival is a great way to get behind-the-scenes access - and a free ticket! All volunteers gain experience in how we manage the festival, become the face of the weekend and enjoy all the perks of being part of a team that makes our big, bold intervention into public debate a reality.

There are no age limits or qualifications required to volunteer - if you’re passionate about free speech and public debate, we want you on our team.

To sign up, head to the Battle of Ideas website or hit the button below.