Malvern Festival of Ideas 2023 Programme

Our programme consists of three main parts:

Talks, conversations, interviews and discussions that begin with Professor Alice Roberts on Friday evening and run throughout Saturday and Sunday until Sunday afternoon.
A set of Exploring the Theme sessions, running in parallel, early afternoon on Saturday and Sunday that look at the theme in very different ways.
A programme for a family audience with philosophy, art and science that takes place on Saturday.

In addition, we have an event for schools as part of World Book Day with Michael Rosen.

Event for Schools

11.00AM and 2.00PM Friday 3 March 2023 at Malvern Cube

Poetry sessions for schools with Michael Rosen - FULLY BOOKED

Opening session with Professor Alice Roberts

7.30PM Friday 3 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

Archaeology in the Age of Genetics

Discover how archaeology and genetics are joining forces to shed light on Ancient Britain, as biological anthropologist, author and broadcaster, Alice Roberts shares stories from her bestselling books, Ancestors and Buried.

SATURDAY TALKS AND CONVERSATIONS

Afua Hagan

9.30AM Saturday 4 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

On REAL equality and inclusion:

Afua Hagan, one of the leading voices on diversity in Britain, examines our legacy in the context of Black Lives Matter and Equality for Women.

Melissa Benn

11.00AM Saturday 4 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

Writer and campaigner, Melissa Benn, in conversation with social historian, Jane Martin, about the strength of political and family traditions - concerning ethics, ideas and ways of campaigning - and how this works its way down the generations.

Priyamvada Gopal

2.00PM Saturday 4 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

Insurgent Empire

Priyamvada Gopal, Professor of Postcolonial Studies at the University of Cambridge, discusses how Britain's enslaved and colonial subjects were not merely victims of empire but also agents whose resistance shaped British ideas about freedom and who could be free.

Benjamin Zephaniah

3.30PM Saturday 4 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

Benjamin Zephaniah and Liz Berry have a chat

Poet, writer, lyricist, musician and actor, Benjamin Zephaniah in conversation with award-winning Black Country poet, Liz Berry, about racism, Black Liberation, revolution and poetry.

Carwyn Jones

7.30PM Saturday 4 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

Carwyn Jones, former First Minister of Wales, presents a political view of this year's theme.

Exploring the Theme

12.15PM Saturday 4 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

Three sessions that explore the theme in different ways

This Womanist Work

Belinda Zhawi in conversation and performance with poet and filmmaker Victoria Adukwei Bulley about their work and expressions of Black feminist poetics.

Relative Distance in the Afterlives of Slavery

Matthew J. Smith, Director of the Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery, shares some of his reflections within the context of wider work at the Centre on questions of the afterlives of slavery.

Re-frame Your Now; Re-vision Your Future: A Regenerative Way of Seeing

Ruth Davey, Director of Look Again, evidence-based mindful photography for mental health and wellbeing, explores how seeing with fresh eyes helps us improve our wellbeing and resilience in the face of uncertainty, as well as help us to create the story we want to see, for ourselves, our communities and organisations. Bring your smartphone or camera.

SATURDAY FAMILY EVENTS- PHILOSOPHY, SCIENCE, ART

Art, science and philosphy sessions for the family

Andy West: The Ship of Theseus

10.00AM Saturday 4 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

Theseus kept repairing his ship until one day all the parts had been replaced with new parts. We will discuss the question 'Is it the same ship? Philosopher Andy West leads this session aimed at roughly 7-11 years.

Andy West: The Frog and the Scorpion

12.00NOON Saturday 4 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

Can we ever blamed for following our nature? Is there such a thing as being too kind? These are the questions that the fable of The Frog and the Scorpion make us think about. Philosopher Andy West leads this session aimed at roughly 7-11 years.

Ian Dunne: Science Magic . . . Magic Science

2.00PM Saturday 4 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

Is it Magic Science...Science Magic? Or Science Magic...Magic Science? I'm sure it's Science, with a lot of demos and laughs.

Ian Dunne: The Condensed History of the Universe

3.30PM Saturday 4 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

A science show that covers all time and space.

Will Hughes

11.00AM Saturday 4 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

Artist and illustrator. Will Hughes presents a workshop for children showing how to create and draw historical characters and use them to make an illustrated story. (5-10 years).

SUNDAY TALKS AND CONVERSATIONS

Megan McCubbin

9.30AM Sunday 5 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

What Biodiversity?

Scientist, adventurer, campaigner and wildlife TV presenter, Megan McCubbin, highlights issues for the climate and the breadth of biodiversity we share our planet with.

Andy West

11.00AM Sunday 5 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

The Life Inside:

Andy West teaches philosophy in prisons, discussing questions like, 'What does freedom really mean?' with people who are locked up and 'Is shame a teacher or a tyrant?' with people who are contemplating their own crimes. His book The Life Inside combines stories from the prison classroom with West's personal journey to heal from growing up with his dad, brother and uncle in prison.

Amelia Abraham

2.00PM Sunday 5 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

We Can Do Better Than This

Writer Amelia Abraham addresses the question of how we can shape a better world for LGBTQ+ people. In conversation with Gay's the Word bookseller and reviewer Uli Lenart.

Rob Hopkins

3.30PM Sunday 5 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

From what if to what next:

Activist and writer on environmental issues, Rob Hopkins, asks how we might rebuild our shared imagination and why it is so vital that we do so.

Exploring the Theme

12.15PM Sunday 5 March 2023 at Malvern St James Girls' School

Three sessions that explore the theme in different ways

Poetry

Crossing the borders between mindfulness and mental health awareness, Mark’s incisive and gentle spoken word performances combine with Josh’s improvised piano to produce a truly unique experience. With new specially written material, MindTravels invite you to a meditative space, yes, but also to prepare for the story you want to be.

Me & White Privilege

Understanding how white people benefit from white privilege is one of the most fundamental (& often challenging) aspects of beginning anti-racism work. Drawing from her experience of recognising her own White Privilege, Danielle Wilson will define it and give extra information.

Rewind in time, how did fast fashion evolve? How do we stop it now?

Malvern Green Space explores the issue of fast fashion, the impact on the planet and creative ways of sustainable fashion.