Speakers

This week HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2023 brings together the world's leading thinkers in every field - the conversations you'll be part of will shape the intellectual landscape for years to come.

Explore this year's dynamic and expansive lineup, from maverick philosopher Slavoj Žižek to presidential advisor Fiona Hill and insightful string-theorist Brian Greene. View our panel of cutting-edge debates here or explore our full programme of events here.

 Book tickets now!

A man with a beard and a serious expression poses in front of an orange background, wearing a gray shirt.

Slavoj Žižek

Firebrand Philosopher
A middle-aged woman with long, straight, gray hair stands outdoors, wearing a dark shirt, with a soft expression and natural background of windows.
New

Fiona Hill

Key adversary to Trump
A man gestures while speaking in front of a blackboard filled with scientific equations and symbols.
New

Brian Greene

Superstar string-theorist
A professional portrait of a woman with blonde hair, wearing a black blazer, looking directly at the camera against a light background.

Gillian Tett

Visionary economist
A man with dark, curly hair wears a suit and shirt, sitting in a well-lit room with decorative items in the background.
New

Eric Weinstein

Podcast host, polymath and mathematician
A woman with shoulder-length brown hair stands against a green background, wearing a black top and a necklace, looking directly at the camera.

Esther Freud

Masterful novelist
A portrait of a middle-aged man in a suit, looking thoughtfully to the side against a dark background, with soft lighting highlighting his features.
New

Michael Shermer

Pre-eminent sceptic
A woman with short dark hair smiles, wearing a red dress and a rosette badge, standing in a blue-walled environment.
New

Thangam Debbonaire

Leading shadow cabinet politican
An elderly man in a suit smiles while holding a Nobel Prize medal in a formal setting.
New

Roger Penrose

Nobel Prize Winning Physicist
A woman with shoulder-length hair poses against a colorful cosmic background, featuring stars and nebulae, conveying a sense of wonder and exploration.

Lisa Randall

Trailblazing Harvard Physicist
Portrait of a man with white hair and a beard, wearing glasses and a clerical collar, smiling softly in a dimly lit setting.

Rowan Williams

Former Archbishop of Canterbury
A close-up portrait of a middle-aged man with gray hair and a beard, wearing a brown jacket, smiling against a softly lit stage background.
New

Billy Bragg

Pioneering activist and musician
A man with disheveled gray hair stands outdoors, surrounded by green foliage, wearing a black coat over a white shirt.
New

Rupert Sheldrake

Scientist and parapyschology researcher
A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a black top, smiles at the camera against a light gray background.
New

Helen Czerski

Eminent physicist and broadcaster
A smiling person with glasses sits in front of a bookshelf filled with books, wearing a patterned cardigan and posing thoughtfully.
New

Cory Doctorow

Renowned author, activist and blogger
Smiling man in a suit leaning on a surface, with a light gray background and a watch on his wrist.
New

Malcolm Rifkind

Former Foreign Secretary
A smiling older man with a white beard and short hair gestures while speaking, dressed in a dark button-up shirt, set in a bright indoor environment.
New

Peter Egan

Downton Abbey Star and Activist
A woman with short black hair and a warm smile stands outdoors against a blurred green background. She wears a black cardigan over a dark top.
New

Sunetra Gupta

Key lockdown sceptic
A man in a black suit with a purple and black striped shirt stands against a blurred blue background, smiling slightly and wearing glasses.
New

Neil Turok

Game-changing physicist
A middle-aged man with glasses, wearing a dark suit and blue shirt, seated in an indoor setting with pink curtains in the background.
New

Gary Lachman

Blondie bassist and philosopher
A man in a formal suit and tie stands in an ornate interior, featuring classical architecture and decorative details.
New

Laurie Bristow

Former ambassador to Russia
A middle-aged man with a beard and glasses, wearing a sweater over a collared shirt, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression.

Iain McGilchrist

Groundbreaking psychiatrist
A confident woman with curly hair and glasses, wearing blue earrings, poses in a modern, busy indoor setting.
New

Subrena E. Smith

Philosopher of human nature
A woman with long blonde hair rests her chin on her hand, gazing thoughtfully to the side against a green background.
New

Myriam François

Leading decolonial commentator
A middle-aged man in a dark suit and blue shirt, standing against a textured gray background, looking to the side.
New

Guy Standing

Prominent advocate of Basic Income
I don't know who they are.
New

David Omand

Former leading spy and GCHQ director
A woman with a colorful headscarf and statement earrings poses against a purple background, showcasing her profile and thoughtful expression.
New

Lola Young

Trailblazing Crossbench member
A man with a beard and curly hair smiles warmly, wearing a light-colored striped shirt, with a blurred background.
New

Nick Lane

Revolutionary Evolutionary Biologist
A smiling man with short, tousled hair, wearing a black shirt, against a blurred background of people.
New

Joscha Bach

Exceptional cognitive scientist
A man with gray hair and a black shirt stands in front of a colorful rainbow background, symbolizing LGBTQ+ pride.
New

Peter Tatchell

Leading LGBT rights activist
A man with curly hair and headphones sits in a dimly lit room, illuminated by purple and red lights, conveying a focused, introspective look.
New

Steven Bonnell

Radical internet personality
A woman with long brown hair gazes thoughtfully into the distance against a soft, pastel-colored background.
New

Sophie Scott-Brown

Dynamic lecturer in philosophy
A woman in a colorful traditional outfit speaks passionately at the World Economic Forum, conveying ideas with expressive hand gestures.
New

Suchitra Sebastian

World-class physicist
A man with tousled hair in a suit stands outdoors against a backdrop of green trees, bathed in natural light.
New

Hilary Lawson

Post-postmodern philosopher
A man with curly hair wearing a pink blazer and light shirt, smiling against a neutral background.
New

Rory Sutherland

Insightful advertising guru
A woman in a bright coral blazer smiles against a textured neutral background, exuding confidence and professionalism.

Hannah Critchlow

Internationally-acclaimed neuroscientist
A smiling man in a white shirt and tie sits in front of a backdrop displaying "Policy Exchange," an organization known for political and policy analysis.
New

Jesse Norman

Leading British Conservative Party politician
A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a green shirt, poses with white headphones around her neck against a plain background.

Güneş Taylor

Award-winning geneticist
Portrait of an older man with white hair, wearing a maroon sweater over a collared shirt, smiling softly against a dark background.
New

Simon Blackburn

Thought-provoking philosopher
An elderly man with glasses speaking at a podium, wearing a light-colored jacket and a tie, against a blurred background.
New

George Ellis

Cosmologist and Hawking co-author
A woman with shoulder-length dark hair smiles and gestures while speaking at a conference, wearing a blue dress and a microphone on her cheek against a purple background.
New

Jessica Berlin

Foreign policy analyst and commentator
I'm not sure who they are.
New

Simon Jenkins

Commentator, Journalist and Historian
A woman with curly hair smiling, wearing a sleeveless black top, against a plain gray background.
New

Mazviita Chirimuuta

Trailblazing philosopher of perception
A man in a suit stands in front of shelves with potted plants, smiling at the camera. The setting appears bright and modern.
New

Mike Berners-Lee

Trailblazing climate expert
A woman with short blonde hair is speaking at a podium, wearing a gray sweater and gold jewelry, with a serious expression.
New

Isabel Hilton

Acclaimed broadcaster and China expert
A man in a suit, seated on a red couch, appears on a news segment with a blue and white Sky News backdrop.
New

Michael Clarke

Foremost military expert
A smiling middle-aged man with gray hair and a blue button-up shirt sitting in an office environment with bookshelves in the background.

Barry Smith

Passionate philosopher of the senses
A man in a black suit with a serious expression against a muted green background.
New

Rana Mitter

Foremost China expert
A woman with light brown hair in a blue blouse stands in front of a bookshelf filled with various books, looking directly at the camera.
New

Isabel Millar

Philosopher of psychoanalysis, sex and AI
A man with a bald head and blue glasses resting his hand on his chin, wearing an orange turtleneck sweater against a neutral background.
New

Remi Adekoya

Professor of the politics of race
A man with medium-length dark hair poses in front of a colorful cosmic background featuring stars and nebulae.
New

Matt O'Dowd

Extragalactic astrophysicist
A smiling man with short, tousled hair and a beard, wearing a casual dark V-neck shirt against a light background.
New

Bjørn Ekeberg

Groundbreaking philosopher of science
A woman with curly red hair smiles in front of a plain background, wearing a casual denim shirt.
New

Zoe Strimpel

Journalist, historian, and author
A professional woman with long brown hair smiles confidently, wearing a black blazer, against a colorful, abstract background.

Linda Yueh

Innovative Broadcaster and Economist
A reflective older man in a maroon sweater rests his arms crossed, against a dark gray background.
New

Richard Wrangham

Revolutionary primatologist
A woman with curly hair and a patterned scarf, looking intently, set against a simple background.
New

Janne Teller

Acclaimed novelist
A woman with short reddish-brown hair wearing a black blazer, seated in a warm-toned environment with soft lighting, appears contemplative.
New

Joanna Kavenna

Trailblazing writer and author
A close-up portrait of a man in a suit with a patterned tie, seated in a cozy interior setting featuring soft lighting and a decorative background.
New

David Healy

Outspoken pharmacologist
A woman with curly hair wearing a red leather jacket and a black scarf, standing against a blurred cityscape background.
New

Rebecca Henderson

Economist and influential professor
A smiling woman in a floral dress stands beside a glass display case, with vintage vehicles and an airplane in the background.
New

Becky Parker

Inspirational science advocate
Bald man wearing glasses and a brown leather jacket, standing outdoors with a blurred background of trees and buildings.
New

David Livingstone Smith

Philosopher of dehumanisation
A smiling man with a beard wearing a hat and a patterned shirt, posing against a blurred background.
New

Samson Kambalu

Artist of Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth
I don't know who they are.
New

Paul Horwich

Eminent philosopher of physics
A professional woman with long blonde hair wearing a purple suit stands confidently in a bright, modern office space with large windows and greenery.
New

Lisa Miller

New York Times bestselling author
A man with glasses and a beard stands outdoors, wearing a black and white striped polo shirt, with a blurred building in the background.
New

Nolen Gertz

Philosopher of technology and nihilism
A man with curly hair wearing a green t-shirt stands on stage, gesturing with his hands during a presentation. Red and orange backdrop behind him.
New

Dominic Walliman

Writer, physicist, and YouTube sensation
A young woman stands on a beach, wearing a fur hat and a black jacket, with the ocean and a cloudy sky in the background.
New

Maya Oppenheim

Impactful journalist
A smiling man in a suit stands in front of a green and red leafy background, suggesting a vibrant outdoor setting.
New

Nick Spencer

Challenger of conventional thinking
A woman with short hair and glasses sits inside a boat, looking directly at the camera with a gentle smile while wind lightly tousles her hair.
New

Caitjan Gainty

Mind behind Healthy Scepticism project
A man with curly hair and a striped shirt sits amidst greenery, appearing contemplative in a black-and-white photograph.
New

Martin Cohen

Radical philosopher
A young man with short, styled dark hair and a serious expression stands against a textured, faded background.
New

Grafton Tanner

Widely acclaimed writer
A professional-looking man with a bald head, wearing a gray suit and a tie, stands against a deep red background.
New

Sasha Polakow-Suransky

Dynamo of international affairs
A woman in an orange jacket and green scarf sitting on a picnic table in a park, with trees and paths in the background.
New

Emma Bryson

Passionate advocate for justice reform
A middle-aged woman with short gray hair, wearing a dark coat and a colorful scarf, looks thoughtfully at the camera, set against a blurred outdoor background.
New

Harriet Wistrich

Solicitor and director of Centre for Women's Justice
A middle-aged man with curly hair sits on a green couch, wearing a button-up shirt, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.
New

Matt Warren

Accomplished features writer and editor
A smiling woman with long, wavy hair and glasses, wearing headphones, stands outdoors near a tree with green leaves and a red brick building in the background.
New

Niki Seth-Smith

Editor, journalist, and fiction writer
A young woman with long brown hair and blue eyes is smiling, standing against a backdrop of greenery and plants.
New

Katarina Schwarz

Leader of the Rights Lab's Law and Policy Programme
A man with a mustache and short hair, holding a saxophone, poses in front of a colorful abstract background.
New

James Tartaglia

Nihilist philosoper and jazz musician
A woman with short, light-colored hair and glasses, wearing a dark jacket, gestures while speaking at a formal gathering.
New

Pauline Neville Jones

Security expert and Lords member
A woman with dark hair styled in a bun smiles warmly in front of a backdrop of green ivy leaves, wearing a black shirt.
New

Miriam Frankel

Highly skilled science journalist
A man sitting on a stone step holding a red book, wearing a brown blazer and jeans, with vibrant green doors and pipes in the background.
New

Tom Hodgkinson

Editor of renowned journal The Idler
A man in business attire speaks at a podium with a microphone and a presentation screen in a formal setting.
New

Richard Werner

Internationally renowned economist
A smiling woman with short, styled blonde hair wearing a light sweater against a dark background.
New

Bahar Gholipour

Forward-thinking journalist
A smiling woman with long blonde hair is set against a starry night sky background.
New

Katie Robertson

Inventive philosopher of physics
A young woman with long dark hair speaks on a television panel, wearing a pink shirt and appears engaged in discussion.
New

Cindy Yu

Bold and daring journalist
Woman with long black hair wearing glasses and a black sleeveless top, smiling at the camera with a gray background.
New

Bhavna Davé

Insightful geopolitics expert
A young man with curly dark hair stands outdoors, looking intently at the camera, with buildings and vehicles faintly visible in the background.
New

Troy Vettese

Renowned environmental historian