Brendan O’Neill is the chief political writer, and former editor, of online current affairs magazine spiked, and hosts the spiked podcast The Brendan O’Neill Show. He’s also a regular columnist for several other publications, including the Spectator. The Guardian calls him the Danny Dyer of journalism while Andrew Bolt of the Aussie Daily Telegraph says he is ‘one of the world’s funniest, fiercest critics of groupthink’. He’s […]
Speakers and Panellists
forthcoming speakers
previous speakers
Michael Crowley
Michael Crowley is a writer, dramatist and freelance journalist. He is author of the forthcoming Remember Me to My Comrades: Letters and Diaries of the International Brigade (Barnthorn, 2026), as well as two novels, two collections of poetry, nonfiction, and numerous plays. He is the artistic director of the Brutish Multitude Theatre Company. Michael’s passion is historical fiction, and he volunteers at a local museum. He was […]
Dave Perks
David Perks was the founder of the East London Science School, which opened in 2013. He was the principal until retiring in 2021, and taught physics, philosophy, mathematics and astronomy. David is an enthusiast for teaching philosophy in schools and made ethics a compulsory part of the curriculum from Year 7. He now runs the Classical Philosophy Reading Group, which is encouraging people to read […]
Dolan Cummings
Dolan Cummings is the author of three novels, most recently The Pictish Princess…and other stories from before there was a Scotland (2023). He writes untimely essays on Substack at L’esprit de l’escalier and wrote the Letters on Liberty pamphlet, Taking Conscience Seriously (2021). He is also a co-director of the Campaign for Freedom in Everyday Life. Dolan lives in the Lake District where he works as a freelance […]
Connie Shaw
Connie Shaw is the external affairs officer at The Free Speech Union, appearing on TV and radio promoting its campaigns and cases. Connie rose to prominence after she was permanently removed from her committee position at Leeds Student Radio due to her gender critical views. The University of Leeds also launched disciplinary action against her, accusing her of harassing a member of staff as a […]
Andy Shaw
Andy Shaw is co-founder and organiser of Comedy Unleashed – a stand-up comedy club for free-thinking comedians. The club specialises in comedy nights that go against the grain and make a point of booking comedians who have been cancelled by other venues and challenge orthodoxy and groupthink. As Andy says “it’s the audience who decides what’s funny, not some industry bod who thinks they know […]
Simon Kirchin
Simon Kirchin is Professor of Applied Ethics at the University of Leeds and Director of IDEA, the Ethics Centre. He is also the Director of the British Philosophical Association. He writes, thinks and teaches across many philosophical topics and questions, specialising in ethics, aesthetics and political philosophy. Simon is currently writing a short book about comedy and free speech. He has also recently been working with the AQA Exam Board about their […]
Daniel Ben-Ami
Daniel Ben-Ami is an author and journalist. In 2021, he launched the Radicalism of Fools website, on rethinking anti-Semitism, in the belief that the mainstream discussion is failing to grapple with this thorniest of subjects. Daniel has contributed to numerous national, specialist and international publications. His books include Ferraris For All: In defence of economic progress (2010) and Cowardly Capitalism: The myth of the global financial casino (2001). […]
JJ Charlesworth
JJ Charlesworth is a writer and art critic. He studied art at London’s Goldsmiths College and his reviews, articles and commentaries have appeared in publications including Art Monthly, Time Out, the Telegraph and the Spectator. Since 2006, he has worked on the editorial staff of the international art magazine ArtReview, where he is now editor. He has a PhD in art history from the Royal […]
Ken McLaughlin
Ken McLaughlin has over 30 years of experience in social work and social care, including as a senior lecturer. His research is concerned with the way in which societal problems are viewed through a therapeutic gaze, and his writing has appeared in academic journals. Ken is author of Social work, politics and society: From Radicalism to Orthodoxy (Policy Press 2008), Surviving Identity: Vulnerability and the Psychology of […]
Bridgette Bewick
Bridgette Bewick is a University of Leeds Professor in Psychological Health, Wellbeing and Education who has advanced our understanding of how to integrate sense of belonging and wellbeing into university curricula and culture. She’s facilitated a safe space for staff and students to come together and engage in honest and authentic discussion around creating a compassionate and inclusive university experience. Her international career is dedicated […]