Theme: The World in Motion
From tales of our time to stories of the future, join us for thought-provoking events covering topics ranging from artificial intelligence to race and racism in Britain today.
What's on
Refugees Welcome
Meet artist and activist Alketa Xhafa Mripa as she parks up her van in York and offers tea under the slogan ‘Fancy a tea with a refugee!’ The tail lift van contains a purpose-built domestic scene sitting room interior in which Alketa begins conversations with visitors. Join her at the installation to discuss hospitality for those seeking refuge and to hear about her positive experience of being welcomed to the UK as a refugee.
Border: A journey to the edge of Europe
Meet Kapka Kassabova, author of Border: A Journey to the Edge of Europe, as she discusses the extraordinary people and hidden histories of Europe’s last border. Kapka travelled back to the forested, once forbidden border zone of Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece 25 years after the end of the Cold War. From the ancient Thracians and the Ottoman Empire to Cold War secrets and today’s refugees, hear the stories she gathered.
East West Street: On the Origins of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity
Join barrister Philippe Sands for a moving personal detective story as he explores the creation and development of the world-changing legal concepts of ‘genocide’ and ‘crimes against humanity’. Philippe, author of 'East West Street', looks at the private and intellectual evolution of the two men who simultaneously originated the ideas following the unprecedented atrocities of Hitler's Third Reich.
Re:cyclists: 200 years of cycling history
Former professional cyclist Michael Hutchinson picks his way through 200 years of cycling history, looking at how cycling became the sport, the pastime and the social life of millions of ordinary people. Join Michael as he explains how it grew and how it suffered through the 1960s and ’70s, and how at the dawn of the 21st century it rose again to find a unique home in the British Isles - much changed but still ultimately just someone careering along on two wheels.
Re-imagining Work: Mapping the future
A recent report by Reform suggested that 90 per cent of all civil service jobs could be replaced by artificial intelligence in the future. So what kind of work will we be doing in the future and what does that mean in terms of the kinds of skills and education we need to meet those challenges? Should we be scared or optimistic about the impact of robotics and artificial intelligence on labour markets? What does this mean for different parts of the labour market and should government and the economy respond?
Jobs, Technology and Skills
How will robotics and artificial intelligence shape our jobs in the future? Join Xavier Mesnard, Partner with A.T. Kearney France, and Louisa Michelson, Counsel, Labour and Employment Law, IBM, to hear their analysis of how robotics and artificial intelligence will shape our future jobs.
Extracting Meaning and Value from Work
Guy Standing's 'The Precariat' has achieved cult status as the first account of this emerging class of people, who face lives of insecurity, moving in and out of jobs that give little meaning to their lives. Our panel will discuss the implications of this emerging class of people. What meaning should we be able to derive from our work and what changes are necessary to obtain real value from our work?
The World of Work Today
Following a keynote speech from Harriet Harman MP, members of our expert panel, including Jonathan Bradshaw of the University of York, discuss the changing world of work from job insecurity to zero hours contracts and under-employment. How safe do we feel in our work? How has immigration actually affected the UK labour market?
Reconciliation and Rotherham: A Cross of Nails?
Finding a cross in a church is not unusual but the Cross of Nails has a story to tell - of a worldwide community working for reconciliation. The community was formed following the bombing of Coventry Cathedral in World War II. St Martin, Coney Street has strong links with Marienkirche in Lubeck as partners in the community. York plays its part.
Mythomania: Tales of our times
Despite our culture’s proclaimed respect for scientific reason, we are no less bedazzled and bedevilled by myth than our remote ancestors. Join author Peter Conrad for an in conversation event as he examines the enduring place of myth in contemporary culture and society.
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work
Many people fear that Artificial Intelligence (AI) may replace work, making the human race redundant. This fear has been fed by sources ranging from social media through to stories in Hollywood films of ‘things’ terminating mankind. But what is the truth?
Intelligent Transport: Is there such a thing? Buses, budgets, cars, computers…
Come along and have your say about the buses and other transport facilities you want in York. Meet City of York Council and transport company representatives and learn about York’s Local Transport Plan and Intelligent Transport System. Are they fit for purpose? How can they be improved? Does York need a People’s Transport Forum?
Stories Against the Clock
An 80,000 word thesis would take eight hours to present; ten University of York research students have just three minutes each to tell the ‘story’ of their research. Come along and join the audience for the final of York’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)competition and hear about the ground-breaking research taking place in York.
What Does the General Election Result Mean for Brexit?
How did Brexit affect the outcome of the 2017 general election and what does the general election mean for Brexit? Bringing together policy experts, academics and politicians, this event will reflect upon British electoral politics and the question of Europe. It will further discuss the options available for the UK government and the EU going forward post-election.
Faith in the Questions
Compared with the centuries long hand-in-hand relationship between religious faith and scientific enquiry, recent debate has, for many people, become mistrustful and sharply adversarial. Which side is God on? Or is this the wrong question to ask? This is just one of any number of good and provocative questions thrown out by Faith in the Questions, a combination of theatre and scientific discussion.
Faith in the Questions
Compared with the centuries long hand-in-hand relationship between religious faith and scientific enquiry, recent debate has, for many people, become mistrustful and sharply adversarial. Which side is God on? Or is this the wrong question to ask? This is just one of any number of good and provocative questions thrown out by Faith in the Questions, a combination of theatre and scientific discussion.
Faith in the Questions
Compared with the centuries long hand-in-hand relationship between religious faith and scientific enquiry, recent debate has, for many people, become mistrustful and sharply adversarial. Which side is God on? Or is this the wrong question to ask? This is just one of any number of good and provocative questions thrown out by Faith in the Questions, a combination of theatre and scientific discussion.
To Be a Machine
What is transhumanism? Simply put, it is a movement whose aim is to use technology to fundamentally change the human condition, to improve our bodies and minds to the point where we become something other, and better, than the animals we are. It's a philosophy that, depending on how you look at it, can seem hopeful, or terrifying, or absurd.
Race and Racism in Modern Britain
Join Reni Eddo-Lodge as she explores issues from eradicated black history to the political purpose of white dominance, and from whitewashed feminism to the inextricable link between class and race, offering a new framework for how to see, acknowledge and counter racism.
Broadcasting the Brightest Minds
Meet five New Generation Thinkers and hear their ideas on topics including the history of breastfeeding and how we deal with tyrants.
