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A day of debate on politics, economics, philosophy and more at The Devonshire Dome as the Battle of Ideas festival comes to Buxton!

Join us at this stunning venue in the spa town of Buxton, in the heart of the Peak District in Derbyshire. An opportunity to get to grips with some major public debates and the challenges we face going forwards, from the legacy of coronavirus to contemporary trends in public life.

Produced by the Academy of Ideas with headline partner the University of Derby.

“I am delighted that the University of Derby is the headline sponsor of the Buxton Battle of Ideas Festival, which will be held in the Devonshire Dome on our Buxton campus. Free speech and respectful discussion and debate are essential to teaching and research and both are at the heart of everything we do as a university. There is an impressive list of speakers, and I have no doubt it will be a stimulating day for academics, students and the communities of Derbyshire and the northwest.”
Professor Kathryn Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor, the University of Derby

“We are delighted that the Battle of Ideas festival will be coming to Derbyshire for the first time. It will provide a much-needed opportunity for people in the East Midlands, and the wider north, to engage with some of the key issues of our time – from technological advances in the production of electric cars and new opportunities for transport, to understanding wider debates around the Culture Wars and China in a Changing World – there are so many economic, political and philosophical questions we need to address. The beautiful spa town of Buxton and the splendour of the Devonshire Dome provide a stunning backdrop to what promises to be one of the most engaging events of the year.”
Mo Lovatt and Dennis Hayes, convenors of Buxton Battle of Ideas festival

PROGRAMME

10.45
Welcome address
Edwina Currie, Dennis Hayes, Mo Lovatt

11.00 – 12.30
Should we resist the new normal?

13.30 – 14.45
Letters on Liberty: Beyond the Culture Wars
Transforming the economy post-pandemic
China in a changing world

14.55 – 16.10
Electric dreams? Cars and the future of transport
Should we cancel Cancel Culture?
Letters on Liberty: Disunited Kingdom – the end of the Union?

16.30 – 17.45
Going green: eco-dogma or salvation?

17.45
Closing remarks

followed by
Drinks
Join us for a complimentary post-festival drink in the splendour of the Devonshire Dome.

TICKETS

Buy tickets now via Eventbrite.

(Tickets include refreshments and a sandwich lunch.)

Standard ticket – £25
Concession ticket – £15
AoI associate ticket – £15
Full-time students – £5
School pupils – FREE (see ticket offer below)

FREE TICKETS FOR SCHOOL PUPILS

We are delighted to make the following special offer to school pupils: a free day-ticket to the Buxton Battle of Ideas festival on Saturday 30 October.

Just email schoolschampion@academyofideas.org.uk stating you would like to attend, the name of your school and an email address to send your free ticket to.