Archived Events
Our Events
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The Funding Gap
The Funding Gap
An evening workshop to discuss the funding crisis amongst groups that work with and for women in STEM and to devise a practical plan to financially support the essential work being done by grassroots and industry-focused groups.
In person | Virtual event
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The Hertha Orgler Memorial Lecture: “I Had a Dream Last Night”
The Hertha Orgler Memorial Lecture: “I Had a Dream Last Night”
It is common knowledge that we process our day to day experiences at night. We reframe and process them there according to our lifestyle, our personality. Sigmund Freud already mentioned that dreams are directed towards the next day and tone our emotions and expectations towards the future.
In person | Virtual event
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Finding You in a Very Big Universe
Finding You in a Very Big Universe
You probably aren’t the centre of the Universe, but you might just have a piece of the centre of the Universe in you. With Tony Kearney
In person | Virtual event
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Compassion: the Key to Happiness
Compassion: the Key to Happiness
Join Action for Happiness for an inspiring evening with Thupten Jinpa as he reveals how compassion can lead to more happiness, less stress, a sense of purpose, better health and a longer life.
In person | Virtual event
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Art versus Genocide – Armenian Survival
Art versus Genocide – Armenian Survival
Nouritza Matossian, a writer of seminal biographies and daughter of genocide survivors, asks the question: why did it take a hundred years for the world to recognise the Armenian Genocide of 1915 by the Young Turks in the Ottoman Empire? A million and a half citizens were uprooted, tortured, killed, robbed of goods and lands. Most countries condemn 'the first genocide of the 20th century', yet England and the USA support Turkey in its denial.
In person | Virtual event
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Sex Talk
Sex Talk
Matthew Hodson, Chief Executive of GMFA (The Gay Men’s Health Charity), hosts a special evening that will see him speaking on the current state of gay men’s sexual health, and on the work carried out by GMFA.
In person | Virtual event
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Rhinegold Live: Jennifer Pike
Rhinegold Live: Jennifer Pike
Jennifer Pike was the youngest ever winner of BBC Young Musician of the year when aged 12 was awarded the title back in 2002. Since then, she has performed extensively as a soloist with major orchestras worldwide, including the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Vienna Symphony. She has received several other musical awards and is a sought-after recitalist. In 2015 she will make her debut at Carnegie Hall with The New York Chamber Orchestra and also appear with Malmo, Ulster, Oslo, BBC NOW and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
In person | Virtual event
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Vanessa King – Making the Most of Your Strengths
Vanessa King – Making the Most of Your Strengths
Vanessa King teaches on... Making the Most of Your Strengths. A self-development workshop in partnership with Psychologies Magazine (www.psychologies.co.uk)
In person | Virtual event
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How to be an Effective Altruist
How to be an Effective Altruist
Peter Singer talks about how effective altruism is built upon the simple but profound idea that living a fully ethical life involves doing the "most good you can do."
In person | Virtual event
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Cults and Brainwashing: The hidden – and not so hidden – epidemic
Cults and Brainwashing: The hidden – and not so hidden – epidemic
Alexandra Stein will discuss cults and brainwashing, focusing on the leadership, structure, ideologies and processes involved. These attributes are common to a variety of dangerous relationships, from one-on-one cults to extremist political groups. There is an urgent need to teach young people about these phenomena at all levels of education. This talk will include suggestions about creating a culture of awareness in order to prevent recruitment to these systems and to increase accountability of the abuses that occur within them.
In person | Virtual event
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CFI UK Conference: Searching for Satan: Miscarriages of memory, fractured families and Satanic panics
CFI UK Conference: Searching for Satan: Miscarriages of memory, fractured families and Satanic panics
Discover how the unreliability of memory has led to grave miscarriages of justice, including panics about Satanic abuse. Can memories really be ‘recovered’ by therapists? To what extent can we rely on the memories of witnesses in historic abuse cases? Some deeply disturbing cases will be investigated.
In person | Virtual event
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The Decline of the Honey Bee and the End of Human Kind?
The Decline of the Honey Bee and the End of Human Kind?
Man and bee have lived together in harmony and symbiotic support for millenia. But recent years have seen dramatic declines in honey bee populations around the world. Luke Dixon will discuss man's responsibilities in the husbandry of bees and the harvesting of honey.
In person | Virtual event
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Itay Talgam on Inspiring Brilliance
Itay Talgam on Inspiring Brilliance
Itay Talgam, in a rare visit to the UK, tells us what the great conductors can teach us about inspiring unpredictable brilliance in ourselves and others.
In person | Virtual event
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5×15, 5 speakers, 15 minutes each
5×15, 5 speakers, 15 minutes each
Join 5x15 with Irvine Welsh, David Spiegelhalter, Leslee Udwin, Viv Albertine and Itay Talgam.
In person | Virtual event
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Adler in the Home, Family, Community and Schools
Adler in the Home, Family, Community and Schools
Parents, Libby Stevenson and Federica Vermeir, describe how their encounter with Adlerian psychology had a positive effect on their families and led to their training to become facilitators of parenting courses.
In person | Virtual event
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Values and Humanist Values
Values and Humanist Values
Anthony Grayling talks about issues in his new book, "The Challenge of Things" which was published in March 2015.
In person | Virtual event
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The Improbability Principle: Why Coincidences, Miracles, and Rare Events Happen Every Day
The Improbability Principle: Why Coincidences, Miracles, and Rare Events Happen Every Day
Coincidences happen, incredibly unlikely things occur, and the apparently miraculous comes about. The improbability principle says that such extraordinarily improbable events are commonplace. It shows that this is not a contradiction, but that we should expect identical lottery numbers to come up more than once, lightning to strike twice, and financial crashes to occur.
In person | Virtual event
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Buying Happiness
Buying Happiness
The Guardian’s Oliver Burkeman (This Column Will Save Your Life), psychologist Philippa Perry (How to stay Sane), political economist William Davies (The Happiness Industry: How the Government and Big Business Sold us Well-Being) and leading economist and behavioural scientist Andrew Oswald ask who is responsible for our happiness and have our emotions become a new resource to be bought and sold?
In person | Virtual event
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Utrecht Quartet
Utrecht Quartet
Pre-concert talk by Roderick Swanston at 5.30pm: Planning the Future of the String Quartet. Schumann warned his Dutch protégé to admire but not copy late Beethoven. What ways out did Schumann and Verhulst manage in their search for new paths?Eeva Koskinen - violin Katherine Routley - violin Mikhail Zemtsov - viola Sebastian Koloski - celloVerhulst: Quartet No.1 Beethoven: Quartet in F Op.135 Schumann: Quartet in F Op.41/2
In person | Virtual event
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SoapBox @ Thinkers Corner – Election Analysis
SoapBox @ Thinkers Corner – Election Analysis
The election will have passed and a government may be in place. In any event, on this day it is a chance for you to have your say.
In person | Virtual event
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Christopher McDougall presents his Natural Born Heroes: UK Book Launch
Christopher McDougall presents his Natural Born Heroes: UK Book Launch
Internationally bestselling author Christopher McDougall hosts the London launch for his new book Natural Born Heroes.
In person | Virtual event
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Eminé Ali Rushton – The Balance Plan: Boost your Body and Mind with Ayurveda
Eminé Ali Rushton – The Balance Plan: Boost your Body and Mind with Ayurveda
Psychologies’ beauty & wellbeing director Eminé Ali Rushton introduces the principles of Ayurveda – an ancient, sensitive and kind health system that is the ideal antidote to frenzied, modern life. During interactive exercises, learn what your unique constitution says about you (your dosha) and how you can make practical, supportive life-changes. This session will begin and end with meditation led by renowned yoga teacher, Selda Enver Goodwin.
In person | Virtual event
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London Thinks – Buying and Selling Sex: the Big Debate
London Thinks – Buying and Selling Sex: the Big Debate
'Sex work' is work. Prostitution is violence against women. These two sentences encapsulate the polarised and often bitter feminist debate over the buying and selling of sex. So what can the two sides agree on?
In person | Virtual event
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What are Professional Ethics?
What are Professional Ethics?
At a time when British senior politicians have recently had to step down after being exposed by undercover journalists, and a group of former teachers and school administrators in Atlanta, Georgia have been jailed for up to seven years for their involvement in a test cheating scandal, is this not a timely moment to ask the question “What are Professional Ethics”?
In person | Virtual event
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A Boring Conference
A Boring Conference
The Boring Conference is a one-day celebration of the mundane, the ordinary, the obvious and the overlooked – subjects often considered trivial and pointless, but when examined more closely reveal themselves to be deeply fascinating. It was created in response to the cancellation of the 2010 Interesting Conference. It seemed like the obvious thing to do. Ticket details will be announced in due course.
In person | Virtual event
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Can the Welfare State Survive?
Can the Welfare State Survive?
Andrew Gamble, Professor of Politics at Cambridge University, discusses the future of the welfare state and its sustainability. This event will provide you with the opportunity to listen, discuss and debate issues of social justice with one of the most prominent thinkers in the field.
In person | Virtual event
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A Better Life: An exploration of joy and meaning in a world without God
A Better Life: An exploration of joy and meaning in a world without God
The British Humanist Association presents an exclusive screening of A Better Life, in which Chris Johnson – filmmaker and author of the book of the same name – explores issues of joy and meaning, travelling around the globe, and learning the various ways many atheists have left religion to a better life filled with love, compassion, hope, and wonder. Following the screening, Chris Johnson himself will deliver a short talk, before taking questions from the floor.
In person | Virtual event
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Rhinegold Live: Carolyn Sampson
Rhinegold Live: Carolyn Sampson
British operatic soprano Carolyn Sampson will be joined by pianist Joseph Middleton in a programme of songs inspired by flowers. This event will mark the launch of Sampson’s first solo recital CD, Fleurs, on BIS Records.
In person | Virtual event
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Sketching the Coalition
Sketching the Coalition
Join the formidable Steve Bell and the Guardian’s political sketch writer, John Crace, and Zoe Williams for their final verdict on the Tory-Lib Dem Coalition years.
In person | Virtual event
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Alex City Quiz
Alex City Quiz
Come and join Alex for the occasion that gives the financial community the chance to have a wild punt on things they know nothing about, without bringing down the global financial system at the same time. In aid of Treloar School for disabled children.
In person | Virtual event
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All change: Religion & Belief in Britain
All change: Religion & Belief in Britain
The country is going through a massive change in its religion and belief landscape. Yes, there has been an overall decline in religiosity, but that masks important changes in the mix among the religious, as well as complexity among the non-religious. Does it help to think about three dimensions – belief, behaviour and belonging - rather than simply “religion and belief”? Jeremy looks at the evidence from polling and other sources, and highlights the dangers of generalisations. How can thinking people respond to this dynamic environment?
In person | Virtual event
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Z-Day 2015 London
Z-Day 2015 London
The Zeitgeist Movement is a global sustainability advocacy organisation and we warmly invite you to attend our annual event in London this year.
In person | Virtual event
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GALHA Election Special
GALHA Election Special
In preparation for the forthcoming general election, we have invited representatives from the major political parties to discuss and answer questions on issues important to Humanists and LGBT people.
In person | Virtual event
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All The World’s a Stage
All The World’s a Stage
In David Herbert's presentation, psychology looks at a Shakespearean character’s view of the world, seen through seven stages, from mewling infant to second childhood, with all the testing stages in-between.
In person | Virtual event
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Do Humanists need to be more Outspoken on Islam and Sharia?
Do Humanists need to be more Outspoken on Islam and Sharia?
Charlie Klendjian is a commercial lawyer and the Secretary of the Lawyers’ Secular Society. The LSS is a group of lawyers, law students and legal professionals, both religious and non-religious, which campaigns for state neutrality towards religion and equality before the law for people of all faiths and none.
In person | Virtual event
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Beyond Happiness – with Anthony Seldon
Beyond Happiness – with Anthony Seldon
Join us for an inspiring evening with Anthony Seldon as he shares practical ideas for living a more joyful and fulfilling life.
In person | Virtual event
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How to Solve a Problem Like the Rich?
How to Solve a Problem Like the Rich?
Join the New Statesman for a lively debate.
In person | Virtual event
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William Lane Craig’s Eight Reasons for God – Refuted
William Lane Craig’s Eight Reasons for God – Refuted
In 2014, the American Christian apologist W.L. Craig set out his eight reasons for belief in God in the bi-monthly magazine Philosophy Now, issue 99. In this talk, the validity of these eight reasons will be critically examined by atheist Norman Bacrac. Also assessed will be the morality of a God who seems to require us to have the logically impossible faculty of libertarianfree will.
In person | Virtual event
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Through a Looking Glass
Through a Looking Glass
Introduced to the Croatian Naive tradition of reverse oil painting on glass by today's Naive Masters, British-American artist, Melanie Hodge has taken this unique and little known technique and made it completely her own, transforming plain, ordinary window panes into looking glasses that reflect the dreaming world.
In person | Virtual event
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The Women’s Equality Party
The Women’s Equality Party
Equality for women isn't a women’s issue. When women fulfill their potential, everyone benefits. Equality means better politics, a more vibrant economy, a workforce that draws on the talents of the whole population and a society at ease with itself.
In person | Virtual event
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Santayana as Social and Cultural Philosopher
Santayana as Social and Cultural Philosopher
The Spanish-American philosopher George Santayana (1863-1952) has been an undeservedly neglected figure in British academia for many decades. This neglect is in marked contrast to the considerable attention he received in the first half of the 20th century. Santayana's range as a philosopher is wide, covering ontology, epistemology, ethics, the arts and sciences, religion, political and social issues. Also, his language possesses classic clarity. So, a revival of interest in him is long overdue - as is, indeed, a talk on him to the Conway Hall Ethical Society.
In person | Virtual event
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An Introduction to Beekeeping
An Introduction to Beekeeping
Everything you've always wanted to know about beekeeping but were afraid to ask! The Conway Hall beekeepers are running a half day course for newbie beekeepers.We'll cover: the practicalities of beekeeping, how to build a hive, how to put on a bee suit, how to light a smoker, how to open a hive and see a colony of bees, and taste some honey.
In person | Virtual event
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London Thinks: How to Topple a Dictator
London Thinks: How to Topple a Dictator
Tipped for a Nobel Peace Prize and hailed as a world-changer by everyone from the World Economic Forum to Wired magazine, fifteen years ago Srdja Popovic was more interested in punk rock than political protest. In conversation with Nick Cohen he will explain how he became one of the leaders of Otpor! — the movement which overthrew dictator Slobodan Milosevic — and has since gone on to train the pro-democracy activists behind the Arab Spring, Occupy, and many other movements.
In person | Virtual event