British Academy Ideas Festival LATE
Schedule
Fri Jun 19 2026 at 05:00 pm to 08:00 pm
UTC+01:00Location
The British Academy | London, EN
About this Event
Celebrating bold thinking and unexpected discoveries from the histories that shape our identities to the forces influencing politics, culture and technology, you’ll be pulled into questions about power, belief, belonging and the future that help us to understand the world – and ourselves – differently.
Set in the heart of London, this free Festival draws world-class minds together for a weekend of conversation, debate and exchange. Book your free ticket below.
This event is free, but booking is required.
Explore the full programme and book tickets for Saturday .
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The LATE programme
Discover fire-breathing dragons illuminating the night sky with early sightings of the Northern Lights. Play with inflatables and unlock their surprising impact on art, politics, and history. Question what happens when we lose the ability to speak. This is only the beginning: immerse yourself in a world of ideas.
International human rights lawyer Philippe Sands and British Academy Fellow Gerry Simpson will headline our Friday Late with an intimate fireside talk ‘Law and the world: rights, justice and writing’ as they discuss their recent publications and wider implications the law has on global justice. The night will also see a panel of experts discuss what responsible exploration looks like in the complex and experimental world of dating apps.
Workshops bring new layers of the world around us to life: explore digital intimacy by designing your own dating app, invent inclusive tools for para-astronauts, or create placards in support of Indian farmers rights following the 2020-21 protests.
Our 10-Minute Talks offer insights into the work of our Fellows and funded researchers, varying from the development of sarcasm in second languages to what ancient cultures can teach us about sustainability, and how to paint a feeling.
The programme takes over every room of 10–11 Carlton House Terrace. Tours will create insights into the history of our Grade I-listed building and our world-class art collection.
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Please read about accessibility at the British Academy to help plan your visit. If you have any questions about this event, please refer to our FAQs. If your question is not answered, or you require extra assistance or specialist facilities, please email [email protected] or call the Events Team on +44 (0) 20 7969 5210.
Photography will be taking place throughout the event. Please speak to a member of the team on arrival if you do not wish to feature in photographs.
Where is it happening?
The British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, London, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00 to GBP 10.00
