British Academy Ideas Festival

Sat Jun 20 2026 at 11:00 am to 05:00 pm UTC+01:00

The British Academy | London

British Academy
Publisher/HostBritish Academy
British Academy Ideas Festival
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Follow your curiosity. Find new perspectives.
About this Event

Celebrating bold thinking and unexpected discoveries from the histories that shape our identities to the forces influencing politics, culture and technology, you’ll be pulled into questions about power, belief, belonging and the future that help us to understand the world – and ourselves – differently.

Set in the heart of London, this free Festival draws world-class minds together for a weekend of conversation, debate and exchange. Book your free ticket below.

This event is free, but booking is required.

Explore the full programme and book tickets for our Friday LATE


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Programme

Discover fire-breathing dragons illuminating the night sky with early sightings of the Northern Lights. Play with inflatables and unlock their surprising impact on art, politics, and history. Question what happens when we lose the ability to speak. This is only the beginning: immerse yourself in a world of ideas.

Sunil Amrith, winner of the British Academy Book Prize, will make a rare UK appearance to discuss ‘The Burning Earth: An Environmental History of the Last 500 Years’ including your opportunity to participate in a Q&A.

Panel discussions put you centre stage in Ask the Experts, with leaders sharing perspectives before opening up to your questions, from changing understandings of neurodiversity to the impact of AI in education and the workplace.

Workshops add new layers to the world around us: step into the multisensory world of female Islamic singing, explore how digital media can become a powerful tool for connection and inclusion, celebrate the summer solstice through creative writing, or create placards supporting Indian farmers’ rights following the 2020–21 protests.

Our 10‑Minute Talks offer snapshots of cutting‑edge research, from sarcasm in second languages to lessons in sustainability from ancient cultures, and how to paint a feeling.

The programme takes over every room of 10–11 Carlton House Terrace. Tours will create insights into the history of our Grade I-listed building and our world-class art collection.

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Please read about accessibility at the British Academy to help plan your visit. If you have any questions about this event, please refer to our FAQs. If your question is not answered, or you require extra assistance or specialist facilities, please email [email protected] or call the Events Team on +44 (0) 20 7969 5210.

Photography will be taking place throughout the event. Please speak to a member of the team on arrival if you do not wish to feature in photographs.

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, London, United Kingdom

Tickets

GBP 0.00 to GBP 10.00

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