Speakers

HowTheLightGetsIn brings together voices from across philosophy, science, politics, and the arts to explore the questions that define our times. With thought-provoking conversations and fresh perspectives, the festival invites new ways of understanding the world around us.

The speaker lineup for HowTheLightGetsIn London 2025 is taking shape - explore the thinkers and visionaries already announced.

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Alastair Campbell

Leading Political Commentator
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Sabine Hossenfelder

World-leading science communicator
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John Gray

Liberalism's greatest critic
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Max Tegmark

Consciousness Decoder
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Roger Penrose

2020 Nobel Laureate in Physics
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Martha Fiennes

Award-Winning Filmmaker
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Alain de Botton

Founder of The School of Life
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Aaron Bastani

Fully automated luxury communist
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Dianne Abbott

Mother of the House of Commons
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Phillip Blond

Champion of post-liberalism
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Neil Kinnock

Former Labour Party Leader
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Susan Schneider

AI Philosopher and Ex-NASA Chair
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Anna Lembke

Leading psychiatrist and author
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Priya Natarajan

Pioneering Astrophysicist
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Denis Noble

Leading Critic of Genetic Determinism
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Karl Friston

Pioneer of the Predictive Brain
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Tommy J. Curry

Critic of the Liberal Orthodoxy
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Joanna Moncrieff

Psychiatrist and Author of Chemically Imbalanced
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Brian Keating

Experimental cosmologist
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Sabrina Pasterski

Trailblazing theoretical physicist
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Curtis Yarvin

The Philosopher Behind J.D. Vance
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Seyla Benhabib

Theorist of Democracy and Migration
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Julian Baggini

Champion of Reason and Humanism
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Timothy Garton Ash

Acclaimed historian of Europe
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Tim Maudlin

Guggenheim Philosopher of Physics
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Zoltan Istvan

Pioneer of Transhumanist Thought
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Carissa Véliz

Defender of Digital Freedom
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David Pearce

Philosopher Declaring War on Pain
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Timothy Williamson

Philosopher of Knowledge and Logic
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Genia Schönbaumsfeld

Wittgenstein Philosopher
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Phil Halper

Cosmologist and Big Bang critic
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Hélène Landemore

Architect of Empowered Democracy
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Dan Sperber

Anthropologist Redefining Reason
I don't know who they are.

Nick Enfield

Expert on How Language Shapes Reality
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Ivette Fuentes

Pioneering Quantum Physicist
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James Ladyman

Reality’s Rule Defier
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Philip Ball

Sceptic of Scientific Objectivity
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Güneş Taylor

Award-winning geneticist
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Àlex Gómez-Marín

Radical neuroscientist

Book Tickets