About this Event
We often think of debate as a medium through which we reach decisions. But very often it is the way we debate that shapes those decisions.
As the world becomes more polarised it is becoming clearer that the way we debate and discuss important issues is preventing us reaching solutions. How can we debate and discuss in a way that deals with the important challenges facing us?”
Want to attend online?
This is a hybrid event. This event page is for the online tickets only. If you would like to attend in-person,
About the Curious festival
The RSE’s Curious festival of knowledge is back, from 2−15 September!
Curious, is the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s festival of knowledge. It brings together a range of leading thinkers and invites anyone who is curious-minded to come together to learn, discuss big ideas, ask questions, and get curious across two weeks of free events.
Check out the full programme of events here.
SPEAKER
Peter McColl
Director, The Centre for Responsible Debate
Peter McColl is Director of the Centre for Responsible Debate. He is an alumnus of the Young Academy of Scotland, where he helped to develop the Charter for Responsible Debate. He has extensive experience in participation, deliberation and consultation. He was Rector of the University of Edinburgh from 2012-15 and has previously worked in innovation, design and public policy.
SPEAKER
Quintin Oliver
Conflict and Referendums Specialist
Quintin Oliver is a conflict and referendums specialist, based on his experiences in N. Ireland. After a decade in welfare Rights for Strathclyde Regional Council, he returned to Belfast to run the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA); he set up Stratagem a public policy lobbying agency after running the 1998 Good Friday Agreement Referendum’s YES Campaign; he also established Stratagem International, TCI Engagement, and the Consultation Institute.
He was awarded an Honorary Degree by Queen’s University Belfast in 2023.
SPEAKER
Dr Alice König
Senior Lecturer in Classics, University of St Andrews
Dr Alice König is a Senior Lecturer in Classics at the University of St Andrews. She co-directs Visualising War: Interplay between Battle Narratives in Ancient and Modern Cultures. König is an alumna of the Young Academy of Scotland and was particularly involved in YAS projects on Responsible Debate and the future of tertiary education in Scotland. She has written for The Scotsman, serves on the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Human Rights Committee, and is a Community Ambassador for the charity Book Aid International.
Important points to note
- This event is suitable for age 16+
- Accessibility Statement: We aim to make events as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements, please make us aware of this just now during the booking stage. Or if you have any questions about how we can support your requirements, please contact the Curious team on: [email protected].
- Wheelchair spaces: If you would like to book a space as a wheelchair user, please select the ticket type 'wheelchair space ticket' during the booking process. If this is sold out, please contact the Curious team on [email protected].
- To view our full accessibility information please .
- Filming/photography: There may be photography/recording at this event. If you would like to not be recorded, please speak to a member of the Curious team when you arrive.
- Covid-19: If you would like to wear a face mask, please feel comfortable to do so at our events. Please be mindful of other participants and stay at home if you have Covid symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Royal Society Of Edinburgh, 22-26 George Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00