Speakers

HowTheLightGetsIn London 2021 will bring the world's leading thinkers together. In the room with our inquisitive and free-thinking audience, the discussions can begin. Join us live to see superstar philosophers, top scientists and up-and-coming politicians.

Our festival theme for London is ‘Dreams and Jeopardy’. As the world starts moving again, we’re faced once more with some of the world’s biggest questions, and are asking the world’s leading thinkers to help us solve them.

Speakers

Lee Smolin

quantum gravity theorist

Paul Mason

Commentator and Radio Personality

Sabine Hossenfelder

Theoretical Physicist

Grace Blakeley

Economics Commentator

Massimo Pigliucci

Philosopher and Stoicism Advocate

Lowkey

Rapper and activist

Rupert Sheldrake

Rebel Scientist

Laura Mersini Houghton

World-Leading Theoretical Physicist

Paul Davies

World-Renowned Physicist

Thangam Debbonaire

Shadow Leader of the House of Commons

David Aaronovitch

Award winning journalist

Vince Cable

Former Leader of the LibDems

Dallas Campbell

Celebrated Science Presenter

Minna Salami

Journalist, feminist and author

John Milbank

Anglican Theologian

Linda Yueh

Economist and broadcaster

Peter Tatchell

Leading Human Rights Activist

Stuart Semple

innovative artist

Natalie Bennett

Former Green Party Leader

Melanie Challenger

Nature and Environment Writer

Anil Seth

neuroscientist and public science communicator

Polly Mackenzie

Chief Executive of Demos

Peter Lilley

Former Cabinet Minister

Joanna Kavenna

Multi-Award-Winning Writer

Peter Mandelson

uk political heavyweight

Tim Palmer

internationally renowned meteorologist

Patricia Churchland

Founder of Neurophilosophy

JohnJoe McFadden

Scientist, professor and writer

Nina Power

Peter Atkins

Renowned Chemist

Eka Ipke

Lecturer in Development Economics in Africa

Julian Baggini

Philosopher and Writer

Mary Ann Sieghart

Award-Winning Journalist

David Nutt

Groundbreaking neuropsychopharmacologist

Sarah Garfinkel

Neuroscience Professor

Meg Rosoff

Critically Acclaimed Author

Cindy Yu

The spectator's china reporter

Ella Whelan

Political commentator

Philip Ball

Esteemed Science Writer

Elise Valmorbida

internationally acclaimed author