Six centuries of intellectual tradition.
Discover carefully curated public lectures, author talks, debates and intellectual events in London, UK — selected by The Mindful City editorial team.
Last updated: September 24, 2026
Elif Shafak · Barbican Centre · October 8, 2026
Novelist and political thinker Elif Shafak explores the city as both a physical place and an idea — how the stories told about cities determine who belongs, who is erased, and what…
Anne Applebaum · Church House Westminster (Intelligence Squared) · September 25, 2026
Historian and journalist Anne Applebaum argues about the cultural and political constraints on liberal progress in the 21st century. The session features an Oxford-style debate for…
Nick Bostrom; Kate Crawford; Ros Atkins (moderator) · Kings Place (Intelligence Squared) · September 25, 2026
An Oxford-style Intelligence Squared debate on whether governments should impose strict regulation on AI development and deployment. Leading researchers and commentators argue for …
Lisa Randall · Royal Institution · September 25, 2026
Theoretical physicist Lisa Randall discusses recent developments at the frontiers of particle physics and what they reveal about the fundamental structure of the universe. The lect…
Sarah Chan · Wellcome Collection · September 25, 2026
Bioethicist Sarah Chan explores the moral questions and policy challenges raised by gene editing technologies, focusing on equity and global regulation. The talk will be followed b…
Susan Greenfield · Wellcome Collection · September 25, 2026
Neuroscientist Susan Greenfield examines the latest research on neurodegeneration, the role of therapeutics, and social approaches to preserving cognitive health. The session inclu…
Brian Cox · Royal Institution · September 25, 2026
Professor Brian Cox outlines the latest experimental searches and theoretical ideas in particle physics, from the Large Hadron Collider to beyond-standard-model proposals. He will …
Niall Ferguson · Intelligence Squared (Central London) · September 25, 2026
Historian Niall Ferguson presents the motion in a live Oxford-style debate about the legacy of empire and its economic, cultural and political consequences. The event features rebu…
Anil Seth and Helena Kennedy · Wellcome Collection · September 25, 2026
Neuroscientist Anil Seth and human rights lawyer Helena Kennedy discuss how emerging ideas about consciousness could affect legal responsibility and clinical ethics. The panel incl…
Yuval Noah Harari; Shoshana Zuboff; Rana Foroohar; moderated by Mehdi Hasan · Intelligence Squared (Kings Place) · September 25, 2026
A high-profile Oxford-style debate on whether artificial intelligence ecosystems ultimately support democratic institutions or erode them through surveillance and misinformation. L…
Mary Beard · Conway Hall (Holborn) · September 25, 2026
Classicist Mary Beard explores the relevance of ancient history to contemporary debates about citizenship, identity and public life. She will discuss teaching the classics in a div…
Martha C. Nussbaum · Conway Hall · September 25, 2026
Philosopher Martha Nussbaum explores how classical ethical theory can inform contemporary debates about justice, education and civic life. The talk is aimed at a general audience a…
Angela Saini · Wellcome Collection · September 25, 2026
Science journalist Angela Saini examines the scientific and cultural histories that have shaped ideas about race and human difference. The event will connect contemporary research …
Jayne Murray (artist) · Bertrand Russell Room, Conway Hall · September 25, 2026
Artist Jayne Murray presents the culmination of two years of research and practice at Conway Hall, exhibiting work from her Bringing It Home project exploring art and social concer…
Zeynep Tufekci · Conway Hall, Holborn · September 25, 2026
A public lecture exploring how platform design shapes public discourse and political behaviour. Tufekci will outline evidence-based strategies for reducing polarisation and restori…
Mary Beard · British Library (St Pancras) · September 25, 2026
Mary Beard explores how classical texts and monuments have been used to justify political projects across history and what that means for modern debates about heritage. The lecture…
Nick Bostrom · Conway Hall (Holborn) · September 25, 2026
Philosopher Nick Bostrom discusses long-term ethical risks and strategic choices around advanced AI. The talk will outline frameworks for value alignment and invite audience questi…
Simon Callaghan, Peter Cigleris (pre-concert talk by Dr Jonathan Clinch) · Conway Hall (In person) · September 27, 2026
Peter Cigleris joins Artistic Director Simon Callaghan and the Piatti Quartet for a concert pairing discovery with deep romantic warmth; the evening opens with a pre-concert talk f…
Jayne Murray · Brockway Room, Conway Hall (Virtual) · September 27, 2026
Artist Jayne Murray explores the legacy of artists who connect their practice with social concerns and used their voice to disrupt the status quo; the talk is followed by an opport…
Simon Callaghan · Conway Hall · September 27, 2026
<strong>Peter Cigleris</strong>, a clarinettist with a growing reputation for his work uncovering British rarities, joins our Artistic Director <strong>Simon Callaghan</strong> and…