Talks

Join author and historian John Callow as he explores the remarkable tale of the Bideford Witches and its lasting impact.

World-leading palaeontologist Michael J. Benton offers a new visual guide to dinosaurs, showing how technological advances and new fossil finds have forever changed the way we see these extinct beasts.

Get ready for an immersive journey into the world of ASMR - learn more about what ASMR is and discover its potential benefits for our wellbeing.

Biochemist Andrew Doig provides an eye-opening portrait of death throughout history, looking at particular causes, who they affected and how they were overcome.

Historian Katherine Harvey reveals the surprisingly familiar sex lives of ordinary medieval people.

Explore the long-term impact of recent developments for Britain’s role as a peacebuilder and find out what Britain should do next.

Shakespeare professor and bestselling novelist Mary Bly - who writes as Eloisa James - discusses the power and appeal of Regency romance fiction in the 21st century.

Explore the history and evolution of the British monarchy from 1066 to the present day with historian and author Tracy Borman.

Join the creative team of INNovating: Audio drama and their project partner Explore York to hear about the making of their immersive audio experience, inspired by the history of York’s coaching inns.

Discover the exciting world of film editing with multi-award-winning film editor and University of York alumnus Joe Walker, who recently received an Oscar for his work on ‘Dune’ (2021).

Mudlarker Malcolm Russell uncovers the hidden (hi)stories of ordinary people in Britain from prehistory to today, based on 200 rare objects discovered on the foreshore of the River Thames.

Embark upon an ancient ghost hunt as you explore the origins, power and meaning of ghosts and ghost stories with British Museum curator Irving Finkel.

Guardian columnist and author Tim Dowling discusses his brilliant new podcast series, ‘Insult My Intelligence’, in which he gets world-leading experts to help him understand complex, interesting and unique topics.

Susanne Wedlich leads us on a scientific journey through the 3-billion-year history of slime, from its part in the evolution of life on Earth to how it might feature in the post-human future.

Delve into York’s medieval past with archaeologist Barry Crump, who explains why knowing how York’s city walls were really used and what they meant is vital for our understanding of the medieval city.

Wendy Mitchell explains what a diseased brain can tell us about being human, living our own lives better and helping those with dementia get the best from theirs.

Deepen your understanding of our canine friends with zoology correspondent Jules Howard.

Learn about ABBA’s 2022 hologram concert tour and discover how digitisation may change our ideas of life, death and after-life.

Join Professor Helen Smith of the University of York for a fun and fast-paced tour of chapters past, present and future.

Jon Hook and Simona Manni of the University of York discuss how they are creating a video-based, personalised decision aid for young women who have been diagnosed with cancer and need to make choices about preserving their future fertility.

Philosopher Elizabeth Cripps reveals why climate justice goes beyond political polarisation and why climate activism is a moral duty, not a political choice.

Enjoy a series of short, engaging talks about the remarkable lives of the lesser-known figures involved in Yorkshire’s 18th-century print trade.

Join Leo McCann of the University of York for an in-depth investigation of the paramedic profession in England.

Join neuroscientist Aristea Ladas for fascinating insights into the mystery of sleep and dreaming.

How can peatlands help save our planet? Come along as Peter Mott explains the importance and potential of peatlands, particularly in terms of sustainability.

Drawing on decades of observing other primates, world renowned primatologist Frans de Waal analyses our shared evolutionary history with the apes, broadening the conversation about human gender dynamics.

Anna Perrett from the Kyra Women’s Project and confidence coach Jules Wyman discuss how ‘Route to Recovery’ can give women the support they want and need to recover from abusive relationships.

Join Emma Smith from the University of Oxford to discover when, why and how the book acquired its particular hold over us.

Join the (fictional) board of an exciting new (fictional) tech company whose future will be shaped by your decisions in this live event utilising interactive features of technology.

Join ecology professor Lars Chittka and discover how intelligent and sophisticated bees are as individuals.

Join world-leading criminologist Matthew Williams as he explores the tipping point between prejudice and hate crime, analysing human behaviour across the globe and throughout history.

Discover the history and mythic origins of Thebes with acclaimed historian Paul Cartledge, and learn how the city is central to understanding not only the ancient Greeks but our own civilization.

Cultural historian Hannah Rose Woods provides us with a timely and enlightening interrogation of national character, emotion, identity and myth-making in a country that keeps longing for ‘the good old days’.

Join Mariana López and Gavin Kearney of the University of York to discover the core principles of the Enhanced Audio Description methods and to experience cutting-edge examples of it.

Zion Tse of the University of York discusses digital health in and beyond the COVID pandemic, and provides a glimpse into the future of healthcare.

Join tattoo artist researcher and historian Allison Hawn to learn about tattoo artistry’s colourful past and discover its bold future.

Join cultural historian, museum researcher and storyteller Angela Stienne as she explores curious, unsettling and controversial cases of mummies - an investigation that questions the essence of what makes us human.

Dog behaviourist, trainer and TV presenter Louise Glazebrook provides you with the skills and confidence to interpret your dog’s needs and behaviour and build a better, happier relationship for life.

Louise Hampson will discuss the many meanings of ‘sanctuary’ today, share some fascinating stories from the past and offer you a chance to be the judge in several medieval cases.

Join historian Steve Hindle as he explores the case of the village stonemason.

Join ancient history expert Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones as he unveils the authentic, definitive new history of the Persian Empire, the world’s first superpower.

Economist Diane Coyle and journalist Rory Cellan-Jones discuss their approaches to the impact of the digital economy.

Professor Matthew Campbell of the University of York hosts a variety of Joyce and modernism experts for an unforgettable Bloomsday salon to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Joyce’s masterpiece.

Chemist and author Kathryn Harkup turns her discerning scientific eye to the Bard and the varied and creative ways his characters die.

Join us for a fascinating discussion on the craft of writing fiction and to receive exclusive insights into Leïla’s most recent novelistic project.

Philosophers from the University of York discuss less understood but highly important aspects of the experience of grief.

Join journalist Brian Groom in conversation with Gweno Williams of the University of York to learn about the fascinating past, present and future of Northern England and its people.

Join us as we explore the power and visibility of youth activism, how those with global or national responsibilities can engage with young people, and what the future of citizen engagement might look like.

Award-winning author Helen Benedict and Syrian writer and refugee Eyad Awwadawnan provide us with a rare insight into the lives of refugees as they share powerful stories of resilience, suffering and hope.

Paul Gambino, collector of the macabre, unravels the often gruesome history of skulls, how they are acquired by collectors and what makes them so highly prized.

Learn about the problems of the food system and get some inspiration for how we can transform it into one that benefits both population and planet.

Hear the story of the 14-acre estate of Fulford Grange, once the grand Italianate home of merchants, bankers and mayors.

Comedian, writer and former care home assistant Pope Lonergan explains what life inside a care home is really like, for both residents and carers.

Join author and documentary producer Richard van Emden for a truly insightful investigation into the topic of children and war.

Journalist and adventurer Kit Chapman explores the science that has been translated from racing to the road and explains how the motorsport of today could save the world of tomorrow.

Let archaeologist David Wengrow transform your understanding of the human past and help you imagine new forms of freedom and new ways of organising society.

Join historian, screenwriter and broadcaster Alex von Tunzelmann to learn about one of the most visible and controversial forms of historical storytelling, and why history is not erased but made when statues are pulled down.

Internationally renowned historian and Booker Prize finalist Michael Ignatieff shows how people facing tragedies and crises have looked to each other across time to recover hope and resilience.

Join acclaimed historian, writer and broadcaster William Dalrymple as he reflects upon over three decades of scholarship on India, and its relationship with the East India Company and the Mughals.

Explore the lyrics of the Beatles’ iconic Abbey Road album and learn about the group’s enduring legacy with Colin Campbell of the University of York.

Join historian and archaeologist John Blair to discover how regionally diverse the built environment of the Anglo-Saxons truly was.

Join journalist and writer James Vincent for a revelatory and vibrant (hi)story of measurement that will make you look at the world around you anew.

Hear the spellbinding story of Elizabeth of York, the first Tudor queen, as told by bestselling author and historian Alison Weir.

Magician and historian Ian Keable tells the engrossing stories of 18th-century hoaxes and those who were duped by them.

All individuals and communities should have access to quality essential health services without suffering financial hardship. But what should a global approach to health issues look like? Join our expert panel and have your say.

Keynote speaker Tom McLeish and a panel of experts discuss the extraordinary creative imaginations of William and Caroline Herschel, both in astronomy and music.

Robin Dunbar from the University of Oxford provides a fascinating and far-reaching analysis of religion and the quintessentially human impulse to believe.

Join journalist Hayley Campbell, in conversation with comedian and writer Clint Edwards, to find out what life is like for people who make a living by working with the dead.

Award-winning public-health expert Timothy Caulfield tackles our daily stress-inducing dilemmas and reveals a science-informed way out, helping to put your mind at ease.

Award-winning psychologist Harriet Ennis explores paradoxical lucidity and other baffling phenomena.

Medievalist Eleanor Parker offers a fresh take on the Norman Conquest by exploring the lives of those children who found themselves uprooted by the dramatic events of 1066.

Join renowned neuroscientists Uta and Chris Frith as they explore the wonders and mysteries of the human brain with their son, Alex, and illustrator Daniel Locke.

Join us as we talk to ‘manonabeach®’, Ian Brighouse, about his fascinating project that celebrates the elemental power of the beach, where the air, land and sea meet.

Archaeological detectives Pierre Tallet and Mark Lehner discuss the extraordinary discovery of the world’s oldest surviving written documents, which provide new insights into the construction of the Great Pyramid at Giza.

Join bioethicist Jessica Pierce and ecologist and evolutionary biologist Marc Bekoff as they imagine a post-human future for dogs and challenge the notion that dogs would be helpless without their human counterparts.

Digital marketing expert Elina Ketikidi explains how social media can be used to educate consumers about the importance of sustainable fashion and sustainable living more generally.

Join archaeologist Martin Carver to learn about the amazing discovery and reconstruction of a seventh-century ship that will soon travel down the rivers of England to explore life at the time.

Explore the magical roots of the language you’re reading right now with writer and blogger Hana Videen, who takes you on a journey through Old English words and customs.

Join writer and philosopher Nina Power for a bold, playful and open-minded exploration of the role of men in the 21st century.

Join leading film and TV writer Graham McCann to learn more about the life and career of one of Britain’s best loved entertainers, York-born comedy legend Frankie Howerd.

Explore the history of humans and their germs with Kyle Harper, who weaves together a grand narrative of global history with insights from cutting-edge genetics.

Join writer, critic and scholar Anna Della Subin to learn about man-gods and the persistent impulse towards deification.

Join us as we discuss whether war can really be cleansed of sexual violence and, if so, what kinds of interventions are necessary, and which actors are best placed to implement them.

Discover the hidden stories of the Rowntree family, their famous chocolate company and their work of social reform.

Discover the fundamental relationship between storytelling and the environment with Harvard Professor Martin Puchner.

Journalist Jessica Nordell shows us the steps we can take to create a world beyond bias.

Join author, activist and strategist Jon Alexander in conversation with York resident and leading community power advocate Sophia Parker, as they discuss the power we all have to create a better world.

Renowned economic historian Claudia Goldin traces women’s journey to close the gender wage gap and sheds new light on the continued struggle to achieve equity between couples at home.

Join Clare Jackson from the University of York and the Study Team to find out how decisions get made during childbirth and why the detail of talk during birth matters.

Climate campaigner Alice Bell tells the stories of the scientists who helped build our modern understanding of climate change, and delivers a hopeful message for the future.

Experts from the University of York’s Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies discuss the recently discovered diary of Jane Ewbank, who recorded her busy life in York.

Food writers Felicity Cloake and Samuel Goldsmith reveal what it’s like to write and test recipes for a living, share insights on how to develop a good recipe, and discuss what the future of food writing might look like.

Acclaimed physicist Jim Al-Khalili reveals how eight lessons from the heart of science can help you get the most out of life.

Acclaimed sociologist Andrew Scull offers a definitive new account of psychiatry’s and society’s battle with mental illness.

Come and explore the hidden heritage of Coney Street, courtesy of the StreetLife project.

Join award-winning crime writer Ann Cleeves and forensic soil science expert Professor Lorna Dawson to discover the connections between writing murder and evaluating soil data.

Travel back in time with historian and writer Tessa Dunlop and war veteran Barbara to find out what it meant to be young, female and at war.

Come and celebrate the release of Isobel Akerman’s new guidebook, Secret York: An Unusual Guide, and learn about the hidden sites around the city and how we can conserve them for the future.