Archived Events
Our Events
Our Events
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how to: Vietnam 1945-1975 with Sir Max Hastings
how to: Vietnam 1945-1975 with Sir Max Hastings
Max Hastings has spent years piecing together what happened in Vietnam, and interviewing participants on both sides. Come and listen to his verdict, and to the evocation of a hot war played out by big powers amid jungle and paddy-field – as proxy for a Cold War which has never gone away.
In person | Virtual event
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Women and Humanist Photography
Women and Humanist Photography
This short course explores women’s contribution to Humanist Photography – a mid-century style of documentary photography concerned with everyday life and people. Through discussion, presentations, and practical tasks, discover some of the female photographers who were a key part of this movement.
In person | Virtual event
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Louise Winter and Primrose Piano Quartet
Louise Winter and Primrose Piano Quartet
Louise Winter and the Primrose Piano Quartet take the Conway Hall stage in the only London performance of their specially-devised programme, 'Love and Obsession': a musical exploration of the fascinating and turbulent love triangle between Brahms and the Schumanns. Free entry for those aged 8-25 courtesy of CAVATINA.
In person | Virtual event
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Thinking on Sunday: How to Rig an Election
Thinking on Sunday: How to Rig an Election
Nic Cheeseman and Brian Klaas present an eye-opening study which offers a sobering overview of corrupted professional politics, while providing fertile intellectual ground for the development of new solutions for protecting democracy from authoritarian subversion.
In person | Virtual event
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White Slaves to “Hard Girls”, Increasing Criminalisation and its Consequences 1885-1960
White Slaves to “Hard Girls”, Increasing Criminalisation and its Consequences 1885-1960
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and are issuing full refunds. This has not affected the last two talks in Prostitution, Pimping and Trafficking series, which you can still purchase tickets for.
In person | Virtual event
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The Future of Happiness – with Professor Richard Layard
The Future of Happiness – with Professor Richard Layard
Join us for a special event on the future of world happiness with the influential economist and happiness expert Professor Richard Layard. At this unique event, he will share the key messages and findings from his forthcoming book Can we be happier.
In person | Virtual event
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Trio Chausson
Trio Chausson
Ernest Chausson's stirring music was the impulse behind the career of Trio Chausson. The award-winning trio make their Conway Hall début with a programme featuring a rare performance of music by French female composer Cécile Chaminade. Free entry for those aged 8-25 courtesy of CAVATINA.
In person | Virtual event
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Josephine Butler and the “Ladies Campaign” against the Contagious Diseases Acts
Josephine Butler and the “Ladies Campaign” against the Contagious Diseases Acts
Blaming prostitutes for venereal disease in the military, the Liberal government decided on a gendered policy of incarcerating infected prostitutes, while letting their infected male clients remain free. This talk, by Dr Jane Jordan, demonstrates how the feminist Josephine Butler and her Ladies demanded a rethink.
In person | Virtual event
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I Musicanti
I Musicanti
I Musicanti returns to Conway Hall with a programme featuring the world premiere of York-born composer Robin Walker's The Song of Bone on Stone, especially written for the ensemble’s artistic director Leon Bosch, and an intimate arrangement of Beethoven's 'Emperor' Concerto. Free entry for those aged 8-25 courtesy of CAVATINA.
In person | Virtual event
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Thinking on Sunday: The Pink Pound – Do Homosexuality and Capitalism have a History?
Thinking on Sunday: The Pink Pound – Do Homosexuality and Capitalism have a History?
There has been a long and vibrant relationship between LGBTQ people, homosexuality and consumer capitalism since the late nineteenth. Using sources ranging through early men’s magazines and erotic publications, government documents, business archives and oral histories, Justin Bengry asks who benefited from commercial interest in homosexuality?
In person | Virtual event
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The London Brexit Debate
The London Brexit Debate
What will the consequences of Brexit be for the capital? In this London Society debate, organised in association with the OnLondon website, we aim to generate light rather than heat on the most significant issue facing London for a generation. Speakers will include Labour peer and former government minister Lord Adonis, London Assembly member and former Lib Dem candidate for the Mayoralty Caroline Pidgeon MBE and senior London Conservative Daniel Moylan.
In person | Virtual event
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They Always Blame the Woman! Syphilis and Fallen Women 1495-1945
They Always Blame the Woman! Syphilis and Fallen Women 1495-1945
From the moment syphilis appeared in Europe at the end of the 15th century and its direct connection to sex was worked out, prostitutes were blamed while male clients were viewed as hapless victims. Kevin Brown will discuss how gendered attitudes informed the health debate around syphilis from 1495-1945.
In person | Virtual event
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How to Have a Healthy and Happy Relationship with your Smartphone
How to Have a Healthy and Happy Relationship with your Smartphone
As the world starts to wake up to the negative impact our 24/7 connected culture is having on us, join Laura Willis from Shine Offline, who will share her own journey from digital overload to breakdown and on to recovery. Laura will explore the latest research and help us to understand more clearly the role that our devices are playing in our lives.
In person | Virtual event
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Audrey Simmons’ Journey from Faith to Faithless
Audrey Simmons’ Journey from Faith to Faithless
Audrey Simmons, active in Faith to Faithless, will be speaking about its work to support those who have left a conservative or controlling religion or cult. Following Audrey's talk there will be a short break followed by a discussion.
In person | Virtual event
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After Man: A Zoology of the Future
After Man: A Zoology of the Future
What would life on earth look like in 50 million years; long after the extinction of humanity? Join Dougal Dixon, palaeontologist, geologist and author, in conversation with vertebrate palaeontologist and science writer Darren Naish to mark the return of Dixon’s astonishing speculative-evolution book ‘After Man: A Zoology of the Future’.
In person | Virtual event
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A Pathway From Polarisation to Integration
A Pathway From Polarisation to Integration
We seem to be living in a time of polarised sets of ideas and related dramatic events - Trump, Clinton, brexit, alt-right, far-left. What can make sense of these chaotic life conditions and show a healthy pathway through to a new stage of human evolution? This talk by Jonathan Dover will walk through the development of human consciousness over time, using leading edge research from Ken Wilber’s integral theory and spiral dynamics.
In person | Virtual event
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Simon Wallfisch and Fitzwilliam Quartet
Simon Wallfisch and Fitzwilliam Quartet
Simon Wallfisch is unique in the musical world as both an accomplished cellist and much-respected singer. He performs with the Fitzwilliam Quartet music from both sides of the Atlantic, culminating in Schubert's mighty Quintet in C. Free entry for those aged 8-25 courtesy of CAVATINA.
In person | Virtual event
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Confronting Racism in the UK: A Return to Collective Principles
Confronting Racism in the UK: A Return to Collective Principles
This meeting brings together long-time anti-racist campaigners, including those who fought to establish institutional racism in law to those challenging the silencing imposed by Prevent and the IHRA.
In person | Virtual event
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Prostitution, Pimping and Trafficking
Prostitution, Pimping and Trafficking
A series of Wednesday evening talks starting on 5th September running until 10th October. Featuring Dr Stacy Banwell, Dr Kevin Brown, Dr Jane Jordan, Dr Julia Laite, Dr Siobhán Hearne and Prof Roger Matthews. Presented by Conway Hall Ethical Society and curated by Deborah Lavin.
In person | Virtual event
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Forced Prostitution: Unpacking the links between globalisation, neo-liberalism and the illicit sex trade
Forced Prostitution: Unpacking the links between globalisation, neo-liberalism and the illicit sex trade
Forced Prostitution: Unpacking the links between globalisation, neo-liberalism and the illicit sex tradeThis talk by Dr Stacy Banwell is first in the series Prostitution, Pimping and Trafficking, curated by Deborah Lavin.
In person | Virtual event
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David ‘ Bumble’ Lloyd in conversation with Rory Bremner on Cricket
David ‘ Bumble’ Lloyd in conversation with Rory Bremner on Cricket
An unmissable evening with the hugely popular cricket commentator David ‘Bumble’ in conversation with impressionist and comedian Rory Bremner on Cricket. This promises to be an evening which will be sure to appeal to anyone who shares Bumble’s unquenchable love for cricket – and life!
In person | Virtual event
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Marcus Sedgwick and Dr Sam George – The Battle of the Books: Frankenstein v. Dracula
Marcus Sedgwick and Dr Sam George – The Battle of the Books: Frankenstein v. Dracula
To celebrate publication of The Monsters We Deserve, a reappraisal of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, prizewinning author Marcus Sedgwick and gothic expert Dr Sam George go head to head in the battle of the books, Frankenstein v. Dracula.
In person | Virtual event
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Becoming White Elk: The Bizarre Adventures of the Jazz Age’s Greatest Imposter
Becoming White Elk: The Bizarre Adventures of the Jazz Age’s Greatest Imposter
The spellbinding tale of hustler Edgar Laplante—the king of Jazz Age con artists—who becomes Chief White Elk the war hero, sports star, civil rights campaigner, Cherokee nation leader—and total fraud. Paul Willetts brings this previously untold story to life in all its surprising absurdity.
In person | Virtual event
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Thinking on Sunday: The Death of the Gods – The New Global Power Grab
Thinking on Sunday: The Death of the Gods – The New Global Power Grab
From a cyber-crime raid in suburbia to the engine rooms of Silicon Valley, and from the digital soldiers of Berkshire to the hackers of Las Vegas, pioneering technology researcher Carl Miller traces how power – the most important currency of all – is being transformed, fought over, won and lost.
In person | Virtual event
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It’s Never Too Late
It’s Never Too Late
Eddie was the oldest British women to complete an Ironman Triathalon and founded her company Silverfit to promote lifelong fitness - we are thrilled to have her speaking at this Sunday Assembly! Hosted by comedian and presenter Rufus Hound and Your Friend The Poet will be doing poetry.
In person | Virtual event
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Aligning Heart and Mind to Heal and Thrive
Aligning Heart and Mind to Heal and Thrive
Irrespective of profession, age, culture or sexuality, the journey towards embracing who we really are can be the hardest process in life, and never ends.For over a decade, Dr Magdalena Bak-Maier has been developing and experimenting with how to connect heart and mind, body and spirit for personal empowerment. This process creates lasting transformation, effective behaviour change and even healing. Her techniques are easy to learn and implement.
In person | Virtual event
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Open Mic
Open Mic
This is a new idea which we're hoping will be popular. We've had a number requests from members for an opportunity to come forward and give a talk or present their ideas to the group on their chosen subject. Member speakers Derek Lennard, Sapna Ramnan, Lindsay Nance and Peter Logan will each be given 15 minutes, 10 for their talk and 5 for Q&A.
In person | Virtual event
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The Hive Café
The Hive Café
Please note there will be reduced opening hours throughout August. Click here for details.
Our new, ground floor cafe, now officially open to everyone with an appetising variety of food, drinks, hexagonal biscuits and honey… plus a live feed from our rooftop beehive!In person | Virtual event
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Thinking on Sunday: Turning The Tide On Plastic
Thinking on Sunday: Turning The Tide On Plastic
Journalist, broadcaster and eco lifestyle expert Lucy Siegle provides a powerful call to arms to end the plastic pandemic along with the tools we need to make decisive change. It is a clear-eyed, authoritative and accessible guide to help us to take decisive and effective personal action.
In person | Virtual event
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Creative writing workshop – Victorian Blogging
Creative writing workshop – Victorian Blogging
Conway Hall’s nineteenth century pamphlet collection and putting ourselves in the shoes of radical pamphleteers such as Annie Besant, Ernestine Rose, Thomas Paine and Richard Carlile. Sharing their thoughts on topics such as women’s rights, freedom of the press, contraception and suffrage, we will inhabit their lives, creating poetry, short stories and blog posts to form an online exhibition.
In person | Virtual event
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London National Park City Fair
London National Park City Fair
The London National Park City is a movement to make the capital greener, healthier and wilder. For one of the greenest cities in Europe this is a chance to connect Londoners and London’s many visitors to the outdoors, and for the city to lead the way on sustainability, biodiversity and the environment. We will be kicking off the week with the first ever London National Park City Fair. Organised by the National Park City Foundation, this is a free event with lots of interesting groups, speakers and ideas.
In person | Virtual event
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Is Fake Information Destroying Democracy?
Is Fake Information Destroying Democracy?
Thomas Jefferson once observed that "information is the currency of democracy." If this is right, what happens when that currency is corrupted by bad information — alternative facts, fake news, conspiracy theories and pseudo-science? This is the question that Mike Flood will pose in this talk.
In person | Virtual event
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BME Community Assets: People, Places and Next Generation Leadership
BME Community Assets: People, Places and Next Generation Leadership
The Ubele Initiative in Partnership with Conway Hall Ethical Society invites you to join us for lunch followed by presentations and a conversation!
In person | Virtual event
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Will Democracy Survive The Age Of Big Data & Artificial Intelligence?
Will Democracy Survive The Age Of Big Data & Artificial Intelligence?
Join us for a discussion with David Wood, Indra Adnan and Dr Lina Dencik about whether the age of big data and artificial intelligence will mean the demise of democracy as decisions are taken over by the algorithms of these techniques.
In person | Virtual event
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Sunday Assembly: When Life Gives You Lemons
Sunday Assembly: When Life Gives You Lemons
Life can be hard. The question is: how can we deal with it? Our guest speaker comedian Beth Vyse knows all about this, and will be bringing an honest and humorous account of her experiences in being diagnosed with breast cancer at 28 and how her ability to laugh at it all got her through.
In person | Virtual event
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ONE LIFE: A FREE CONCERT CELEBRATING THE ONE LIFE THAT WE HAVE
ONE LIFE: A FREE CONCERT CELEBRATING THE ONE LIFE THAT WE HAVE
An evening of music and comedy with The London Humanist Choir, the UK's foremost community atheist, humanist, and secular choir. Guests include Guardian journalist, stand-up, and singer-songwriter Ariane Sherine, stand-up comedian Alasdair Beckett-King, Steve Cross (founder of Science Show-off) and pianist and singer Alex J Hall.
In person | Virtual event
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One Life: An Evening of Music & Comedy
One Life: An Evening of Music & Comedy
The London Humanist Choir presents One Life, our annual evening of music and comedy ‘in celebration of the one life we have’. It’s the climax to a busy year of rehearsals and concerts by the UK’s foremost community atheist, humanist, and secular choir.
In person | Virtual event
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Happy Together: How to Improve your Relationships with Positive Psychology
Happy Together: How to Improve your Relationships with Positive Psychology
Join us for an inspiring evening to discover the secrets of happy relationships and learn practical ways to put these into practice.
In person | Virtual event
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Rise Like Lions: Poetry Reading Compiled by Ben Okri
Rise Like Lions: Poetry Reading Compiled by Ben Okri
Join us to celebrate Booker Prize-winning author Ben Okri’s new book Rise Like Lions: Poetry for the Many in an evening of poetry and protest. Readers include: Tariq Ali, David Calder, Laurie Penny, Helena Kennedy and more…
In person | Virtual event
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