Talks

Tudor England: a rogue state cut off from Europe, politically allied with various Muslim kingdoms. Writer and broadcaster Jerry Brotton reveals a whole new version of the Tudors.

Know your tater trap from your sniffle herring. Join wordsmith Adam Sharp as he journeys around the world in idioms, proverbs and general nonsense.

Join Isabel Berwick, host of the award-winning Financial Times ‘Working It’ podcast, for advice on navigating the world of work, now and in the future.

What is the role of creativity in grief? Join philosopher Louise Richardson of the University of York, textile artist Hayley Mills-Styles and Jo Ritchie and Laura McDonagh of Projecting Grief.

Join Michael Guilding as he reflects on his personal and professional journey as a counsellor and psychotherapist to understand the nature of fear.

Join archaeologist Christopher Scull of UCL as he guides you through the 15-year investigation into the 7th-century East Anglian royal centre at Rendlesham.

Ahead of the 2024 Olympics taking place in Paris this summer, our expert speakers, including double Olympic Champion Dame Kelly Holmes, explore elite sports.

Historian Pat Cullum considers the devotional, communal and commemorative purposes of the magnificent East Window of Holy Trinity, Goodramgate.

Join Victoria Wells of the University of York and the Campaign for Pubs and celebrate the value of pubs to our local areas and communities.

Join writer John Robb for a comprehensive history of goth music and culture, as he explores the origins and legacy of this enduring scene.

Find out how radiologists are able to detect disease without seeing the presence of a lesion and up to three years before the onset of cancer. Join psychologist Karla Evans.

Join sociologists Kath Bassett and Mary Laing for the launch of a podcasted-walk of York’s historic city centre which promises new perspectives on familiar places via a sociological lens.

Writer Tomiwa Owolade presents a bold new framework for understanding race in Britain today, arguing too much of the current conversation is viewed through the prism of American ideas.

Discover how the sporting world is harnessing the power of statistics to gain a competitive advantage with Jessica Hargreaves and Ben Powell of the University of York.

Richard Hawkins and Philippa Ryan of the Centre for Assuring Autonomy discuss whether we can trust AI to behave safely all the time.

Paul Cooper, host of the hit podcast Fall of Civilizations, explores how a range of ancient societies rose to power and sophistication, and how they tipped over into collapse.

Discover the literary, historical and cultural richness of the Apennine region of Italy as author Nick Havely explores the power of mountains on the imaginations of writers.

Discover how the Candlelighters Supportive Care Research Centre is improving the experience of children living through and beyond cancer.

Discover how British administrations used food denial measures in Kenya to ensure loyalty in the 1950s, and the suffering and hardship this caused.

Find out how an innovative neuroscience-based approach is helping children learn the knowledge and skills they need to manage their mental health and wellbeing.

Harriet Gray of the University of York shares examples of public artworks and monuments, and asks if the UK needs a new memorial to gender-based violence.

Writer Barbara Burman celebrates not only sewing’s recent resurgence, but sewists’ creativity, well-being and community. Discover what motivates people to sew and mend today.

Historian Laura Beers reveals how revisiting George Orwell’s own age of rapid change and urgent crossroads can shed unique light on our recent past and current upheavals.

During York’s Pride weekend, find out what it was like to be part of the UK’s first Pride march in London with York trailblazer Stuart Feather.

Discover the little-known history of how the Sahara was transformed from a green and fertile land into the largest hot desert in the world with writer Martin Williams.

Join the artists and scholars behind a re-imagination of the satirical musical, The Bedridden Prince, originally created by Czech-Jewish prisoners in the Theresienstadt Ghetto in 1943.

Discover how our sense of touch impacts how we consume journalistic content - especially in the digital world - with Sarah Cooper of York St John University.

Join James Cooper and Ian Horwood of York St John University and discover how the losers of US presidential elections have had transformative impacts on American political history.

Kate Giles and Dav Smith of the University of York use Herbert House as a case study to explore some of the distinctive architectural and conservation heritage of our city.

Journalist Katie Barnes traces the evolution of women's sports as a pastime and a political arena, where equality and fairness have been fought over for generations.

Historian Peter K Andersson explores the life of Henry VIII’s court fool William Somer, a legendary entertainer and one of the most intriguing figures of the Tudor age.

Join architectural historian and former diplomat Mossadeq Khalili as he discusses the current state of conservation in Afghanistan after decades of conflict and the Taliban takeover.

Writer Gretchen Gerzina and actor and author Paterson Joseph bring to light the dramatic and often moving stories of Georgian England’s forgotten Black community.

Who wrote the Bible? Join William Schniedewind of the University of California, Los Angeles, for a groundbreaking new account that tells the story of the scribe who wrote the Hebrew Bible.

Join historian Martin Thomas as he tells the story of decolonisation and its intrinsic link to globalisation.

Our panel of experts provides insights, addresses challenges and suggests strategies for creating a more supportive and inclusive environment for mental health in schools.

Join Catherine Baker of Hull University as she discusses the power of partnership created on and off the screen during Eurovision 2023.

Join in the conversation as speakers with experience and expertise of working with York people on debt and financial issues explore the challenges facing those seeking and providing advice.

Hear some fascinating facts about sharks as marine scientist Daniel C. Abel debunks myths, describes their lives and explores our love/hate relationship with them.

Are war and inequality inevitable, because evolution made men competitive and dominant? Writers Nancy Lindisfarne and Jonathan Neale challenge you to think again about ‘true’ human nature.

Discover how maps have affected societies, influenced politics and economies, and impacted the environment, as writer Mike Duggan uncovers their incredible power.

Join us on a journey through technological change from books to AI. Can we engage with the ethics and practicalities or will we just succumb to panic?

Historian Colin Elliott provides a wide-ranging and dramatic account of the Antonine plague, the mysterious disease that struck the Roman Empire at its pinnacle.

Like her much-loved heroine Emma Woodhouse, Jane Austen 'played and sang'. Join writer Gillian Dooley as she explores the central role of music in Austen’s life and fiction.

Coaching psychologists Paula Louise Dixon and Kate Pearlman Shaw reveal how conversations become catalysts for growth, understanding and shared success at this online workshop.

Find out how nutrition influences everything from our decision-making to aggression and violence, as psychologist Kimberley Wilson explores how food affects our brains.

Join medievalist Professor William Chester Jordan of Princeton University, USA and discover what the lives of three saints reveal about the moral universe of the medieval aristocracy.

Join writer and researcher Peter Forshaw as he decodes the key practices, figures and symbols of alchemy, astrology, mysticism, magic and divination.

For too long Africa’s history has been dominated by western narratives of slavery and colonialism or simply ignored. Writer Zeinab Badawi sets the record straight.

Find out about trailblazing York archaeologist Mary Kitson Clark (1905-2005), a former Curator of Roman Archaeology at the Yorkshire Museum.

Join us deep in the York Cold War Bunker for a special screening of the film Cold Warnings, which explores the impact of including the Cold War in the new GSCE Curriculum introduced in 1986.

Hear a story of sisterhood and the fight for feminism in the age of the Taliban from the former team captain of the Afghanistan women's national football team Khalida Popal.

Philosopher Helena de Bres uses the curious experience of being a twin as a lens for reconsidering our place in the world. Can reflecting on twinhood help all of us?

Author Guido Alfani offers a history of the rich and super-rich in the West over the last thousand years. Who were they and what role did they play in society?

From great houses such as Chequers, to pots and pans, writer Viki Holton explores the changing lives of British women told through the things they left behind in their will.

Why are York and Münster twinned? What does that mean anyway? Hear from York Münster Twinning Association representatives and local schools about recent, present and future activities.

Join Adam James Smith of York St John University on a tour through the worlds of Gulliver’s Travels as he explores the novel’s satire.

Enjoy a special screening of the filmed performance of Clay Fever - a tender, moving play exploring the world of the 20th-century studio pottery movement - and an accompanying talk.

Discover how recent breakthroughs in longevity research offer clues about human ageing with Coleen T Murphy, Director of Princeton University’s Glenn Foundation for Research on Aging.

Pioneering neuroscientist Charan Ranganath presents a radical re-examination of memory, unveiling the principles behind what and why we forget.

Find out about the Company of Merchant Adventurers archives project and hear some of the fascinating stories that can be found in the collection.

Join us deep in the York Cold War Bunker for a special screening of the film Cold Warnings, which explores the impact of including the Cold War in the new GSCE Curriculum introduced in 1986.

Join Michael Guilding as he reflects on his personal and professional journey as a counsellor and psychotherapist to understand the nature of fear.

Art historian Henrike Lange of the University of California at Berkeley takes you on a unique behind-the-scenes investigation of total solar eclipses.

Pioneering experimental neurobiologist William Harris provides a revelatory tale of how the human brain develops, from conception to birth and beyond.

Come along to an interactive session exploring how can we reimagine our resources and civic assets for public and common benefit, fit for the times we are in.

Following its renovation, the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral reopens this year. Using this event as the starting point, our panel of experts reflects on how to preserve our heritage.

Does our brain fall asleep? Is there any value in dreaming? Neuroscience, psychology and philosophy join forces to answer these and other fascinating questions.

Join us as we address the challenges of wealth inequality and consider a radical reimagination of ‘wealth’. Our interactive session is supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Hear how York Conservation Trust is ensuring properties under its ownership are made more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Join subject expert Pippa Stacey to learn how businesses and individuals can recognise the power of the disability community and help build a world that's more inclusive for all.

Are we alone? Prepare for a scientific and cultural adventure through our ideas about extraterrestrial life and the cosmos with science writer Jaime Green.

Hear a true story of romance, sacrifice, loss and resilience, as journalist Keren Blankfeld chronicles the lives of two people held in history’s most infamous death camp.

Join BBC Security Correspondent and bestselling author Frank Gardner as he discusses his life, career and latest book with Elly Fiorentini of BBC Radio York.

Hear rapid fire talks from York artists, creatives, adventurers, thought leaders and business owners.

Why do some images spark intense controversy? Historian Huw Foden explores how early Christian ideas about the power of images created a diverse spectrum of attitudes towards art.

How did Romans cope with the anxieties and risks of childbirth? Anna Bonnell Freidin of the University of Michigan examines childbearing and its risks in Imperial Rome.

Culture writers Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales and Gavin Edwards explore how Marvel Studios became the dominant player both in Hollywood and in global pop culture.

Archaeologists Penny Bickle, Jennifer French and Rachel Pope reveal how, from hunting to trading, prehistoric women were often the ones who led and discovered the way.

How does DNA actually look and work? Agnes Noy of the University of York presents the highest-resolution images ever captured of a DNA molecule ‘dancing' inside our cells.

York Lindy invites you to a free one-day swing dance festival, featuring a pop-up exhibition, dance classes, history and music talks.

Cats are an enigmatic species and their behaviour can be mystifying. Author Lucy Hoile takes you through some commonly misunderstood behaviours and busts some myths along the way.

Find out how the discovery of a group of four cemeteries near the Humber estuary is shedding new light on the changes that took place during the early Anglo-Saxon period.

Learn about the events of 1541 when Henry visited York with Catherine Howard on his northern journey or ‘progress’. Join us for talks and tours.

Mental health expert Christina van der Feltz-Cornelis explores resilience in the workplace based on the international EMPOWER project which aims to reduce work stress.

Accusatory, libellous or just bizarre, historian Emily Cockayne unveils the history of anonymous letter-writing from 1760-1939.

From autonomous aerial vehicles to robotic arms, find out about research being carried out at the Institute for Safe Autonomy at the University of York.

Listen to top female and nonbinary scientists as they take science to the streets of York - while standing on a soapbox.

Join us for a challenge against the clock as competing finalists each have just three minutes to outline the power of their research in the annual York Three Minute Thesis competition.

Find out how herbal extracts are developed into pure drugs, and how animals such as chimpanzees and cats self-medicate.

Learn about the life and world of Bede (c.673–735), one of the greatest scholars of the post-Roman world and ‘the father of English history’, with author Michelle P. Brown.

Find out how the gendered nature of language shapes societal associations about the character of leadership, particularly who is and what it means to be a ‘good’ leader.

Come along to a ‘meet the makers’ session, talk to some of the team behind the MT Space Project and see a live demo of how they make virtual musical theatre in the metaverse.

Writer Ellen Atlanta delivers an exposé of toxic beauty culture in our digital age and explores how it’s harming women.

China’s great tombs are a marvel of the ancient world. Eminent art historian Jessica Rawson explores how they provide a route to the past and to China today.

From cardiovascular disease to viruses, from cancer to mental illness, journalist Layal Liverpool delves into the reasons racial health disparities exist and reveals that diseases are not ‘great equalisers’.

Come along to a ‘meet the makers’ session, talk to some of the team behind the MT Space Project and see a live demo of how they make virtual musical theatre in the metaverse.

Join Lauren Working of the University of York on a voyage to Shakespeare's mysterious island, where everything is enchanting and strange.

Poignant, modest, often humorous – discover the personal accounts of the men of the 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment with author Tracy Craggs.

Come along to a ‘meet the makers’ session, talk to some of the team behind the MT Space Project and see a live demo of how they make virtual musical theatre in the metaverse.

York is a UNESCO city of Media Arts, but how can we leverage this designation to drive inward investment and maximise opportunities in the creative industries? Join Cherie Federico of Aesthetica.

Ancient historian and author Jean Menzies discusses how Greek myths are being reclaimed and reimagined by LGBTQ+ writers and readers to explore modern day queer joy and queer struggles.

Hear the stories of the Indian men and women who were brought to the Caribbean to work on sugar and cocoa plantations during the period of Indian Indentureship.

People of all faiths and none are invited to learn more about Evensong and to experience the inspirational power of devotional music in the beautiful historic setting of All Saints North Street.

Political commentator and journalist Gavin Esler explores a British political system in peril – and what we must do to save it.

Join York astronomer Emily Brunsden and science nerd Chris Stewart for tales from our wild and wonderful universe as the Syzygy astronomy podcast goes live.

Join art historian Janina Ramirez and see the medieval world with fresh eyes as she introduces remarkable women whose names have been struck out of historical records.

Meet the creative team behind immersive virtual music performances in the metaverse and enjoy a live demo.

Join writer Tosh Warwick as he tells the story of the lost football stadiums at the heart of ‘The Beautiful Game’ from the Victorian period until the 21st century.

What would a Trump victory mean for Putin’s invasion of Ukraine? Our expert panel discusses the US elections and the implications for the future of NATO and Europe.

Hear from some of the next generation of biomedical researchers as they explain how their work is unravelling the secrets of chronic and infectious diseases.

Join David Trousdale, Technical Director of Transport Decarbonisation at WSP, for a discussion on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

Writer Siddarth Shrikanth, an expert in green investing, sets out how to make our economies work with, not against, our living planet.

Psychologist Karisha George explores resilience in modern times, examining the factors that affect how we handle contemporary challenges across the lifespan and cultures.

Learn about the environmental harm caused by medicines and the balance between public health and saving the planet with health economist Matthew Taylor.

An expert panel examines the economic and political shift taking place as the countries of the Global South begin to assert themselves and create a new world order.

Join financier, art collector and philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer for an in-conversation event as we explore the power of philanthropy to transform places.

Come along to a ‘meet the makers’ session, talk to some of the team behind the MT Space Project and see a live demo of how they make virtual musical theatre in the metaverse.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Archaeologist Barry Crump highlights how things become very interesting after they stop being useful for their original purpose.

Explore the potential of poo and discover how this natural resource can be turned into a range of sustainable options. Our event features a panel discussion and hands-on activities.

Debunking lazy stereotypes, writer Samia Rahman offers a courageous exploration of Islamophobia, patriarchy and identity. What is it really like to be a Muslim woman in today’s Britain?

Come along to a ‘meet the makers’ session, talk to some of the team behind the MT Space Project and see a live demo of how they make virtual musical theatre in the metaverse.

Expert speakers examine the potential impacts of existing and emerging technologies on election results, and discuss if elections really matter in an age of powerful global corporations.

Come along to a ‘meet the makers’ session, talk to some of the team behind the MT Space Project and see a live demo of how they make virtual musical theatre in the metaverse.

Our digital footprints are getting larger and larger. Physicist James Lees examines the issues scientists and engineers face as they look to create new technologies that remain affordable.

Meet the creative team behind immersive virtual music performances in the metaverse and enjoy a live demo.

Our expert panel discusses the opportunities created by devolution and the power of good business. How can the new mayoral authority drive new economic, social and cultural strategies to improve the lives of residents of York and North Yorkshire?

Alicia Maddalena and Matt Townend of the University of York explore Viking Age skaldskapr or poetry, combining an account of its power with a sample of readings.

Join filmmaker Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth: The Golden Age; Mr India) and author Vikas Swarup (whose book was filmed as Slumdog Millionaire) as we explore the power of creativity.

How do we return to political climate consensus and retain public support for the transition to net zero? Our panel of experts discusses the key issues.

Kyra Women’s Project shares its approach to working with women to enable them to make positive change in their lives.

Ever wondered why we have body odour? Microbiologist Gavin Thomas and his colleagues from the Universities of York and Hull explain what BO is and how it’s made on our bodies.

Explore knowledge justice as our speakers take you on a journey from Barnsley’s ex-mining communities to rural South Africa.

Art historian Chantal Brotherton-Ratcliffe discusses Caravaggio - a man of proverbial rebelliousness, who painted in a style which he knew would drop a bomb on the art world he grew up in.

Neil Redfern, the Council for British Archaeology’s Executive Director, reflects on the changes in archaeology over the last 80 years.

Peter Addyman, founding Director of the York Archaeological Trust, shares the incredible story behind the creation of the iconic Jorvik Viking Centre in York and its impact worldwide.

Hear, see and take part in food story sharing at York St John University and learn about the Living Lab.

Join El Parnaso Hyspano, an Hispanic early music ensemble, as they present the first UK performance of the early 18th- century opera, San Francisco Xavier.

Join us for a talk with performance extracts designed to open doors to the remarkable and evocative dramatic world of Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse.

Join Andrew Shanks of Amnesty International York as he argues for the co-option of charities into a newly constituted chamber to replace the House of Lords.