Lessons from a Real-Life Romcom
For years, the romcom has been defined by its reinforcement of patriarchal notions of love and relationships, and regressive depictions of female identity. At its centre is a belief that our societal order is in jeopardy unless you’re content and in a relationship. But the joy of the romcom, for all its schmaltz, is that […]
Why Horror has a Hold on Us
Zombies want brains. Vampires want blood. Cannibals want human flesh. All monsters need feeding. Film critic and broadcaster Anna Bogutskaya takes a captivating look at what draws us to the shocks and thrills of horror. Horror has been embraced by mainstream pop culture more than ever before, with horror characters and aesthetics infecting TV, music […]
Disability Rights and Dignities
For much of history, people with learning disabilities have been regarded as unworthy of interest – often seen as a threat to the social order and sometimes dismissed as barely human. While recent years have seen an improvement, disabled people are still treated as different. Join campaigners and authors Rachel Charlton-Dailey and Stephen Unwin for […]
The Migration Question
Who are these migrants? Do they steal our jobs? Can we help them in their home countries? Do border controls improve security? Are open borders desirable? In this Ethical Matters talk, Leila Simona Talani and Dr Matilde Rosina address these issues and more from their deeply researched study of migration into both Europe and the […]
Disagreeing Without Hate
Do you avoid people who are strongly against immigration? Or strongly for trans rights? Against abortion, or drug legalisation? Many of us struggle to engage with people whose opinions differ strongly from our own-even if they might have something useful to contribute to the debate. That means we’re falling victim to what behavioural scientist Professor […]
Sacconi Quartet with David Campbell + Pre-Concert Talk
“Great power and sweetness … intimate closeness.” (The Spectator) For over two decades, the Sacconi Quartet have been captivating audiences with their unanimous and compelling ensemble, consistently communicating with a fresh and imaginative approach. Formed in 2001, the four founder members share an unwavering passion for the string quartet repertoire, infectiously reaching out to audiences […]
Dementia-Friendly Concerts
We are delighted to welcome back Songhaven for another dementia-friendly concert as part of our Summer Programme. Each 45-minute performance features much-loved songs from stage and screen, performed by a trio of professional, classically trained musicians. These free concerts are open to everyone and provide a warm welcome to people living with dementia, along with […]
The Future of Health
Health over the last 150 years in the UK and internationally has been transformed and this rapid rate of change will continue. Improvements in public health and the shifting demographic structure are altering the trajectory and frequency of disease. Advances in science including new drug classes, diagnostics and AI are changing what is possible in […]
Demystifying Meditation: A Keynote Lecture by Bhaskarji
Are you seeking clarity and calm in today’s hectic world? Join acclaimed philosopher Bhaskarji Ramachandran from the Vedanta Institute London for a thought provoking lecture. Discover the grandeur of meditation with Bhaskarji’s expert analysis. Come and learn the true meaning of meditation and its benefits as well as obtaining insights on achieving mental well-being and […]