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World-changing ideas. For free. For everyone.Featuring the world’s most exciting public thinkers, innovators and changemakers, RSA talks bring people and ideas together to shape a better future for all.
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- 4 days ago1h 3m
Is reading in decline? Lee Child on the importance of literature
Bestselling author Lee Child joins award-winning writer Dreda Say Mitchell MBE for a live conversation at The Royal Society of Arts on the 8th of June. Together, they will explore the power of reading to shape and enrich lives and unlock opportunity for all. They will discuss what authors, institutions, and readers need to do to ensure reading remains central to culture, creativity, and human connection. From Child’s global success with the Jack Reacher series to Mitchell’s work championing literacy and prison reading initiatives, this event examines how books can transform individuals and communities. The discussion will be opened by Karen Napier, Reading Agency CEO, and spotlight the role of accessible publishing, including Quick Reads, in tackling barriers to reading in an age of declining attention and growing inequality. Speaker: Lee Child, Author Chair: Dreda Say Mitchell MBE, Author Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join
- 3 weeks ago1h 3m
The Observer Book Club: Braver New World
At a time when democracies seem paralyzed by fear and populations are turning inward, award-winning journalist John Kampfner has travelled to ten countries confronting our shared challenges with bravery and imagination. From Japan’s inter-generational care system to Moroccan solar panels in the Sahara creating clean energy, John Kampfner’s new book Braver New World explores how countries across the globe are solving the most pressing problems. To discuss the finding in his book, John will join us at the Royal Society of Arts for a conversation with The Observer Editor-in-Chief, James Harding, and former UK Foreign Secretary, David Miliband. Join us for an evening of ideas and discussion on how we can learn from others to build a better society. Speakers: John Kampfner, Journalist David Miliband, Former UK Foreign Secretary Chair: James Harding, The Observer Editor-in-Chief Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join
- 3 weeks ago1h 0m
Who controls the future?
We like to think the future is open. That our lives are shaped by choices, chance, and a bit of luck. But increasingly, the future is being predicted, and those predictions are starting to decide things in advance. Whether we get a job, a loan, medical treatment, or even how we’re policed, many of life’s possibilities are now filtered through forecasts about who we are and what we might do next. In this provocative conversation, Oxford philosopher Carissa Véliz argues that prediction has always been less about seeing the future than about controlling it. From ancient oracles to modern data systems, prophecies don’t just describe what will happen – they shape behaviour, narrow our options, and quietly distribute power. Joining her is Roger McNamee, tech investor and NYT bestselling author of Zucked, who has spent years exposing how digital platforms turn prediction into influence. Together, they explore a deeper, more uncomfortable question: What happens when the future arrives pre-decided? Speaker: Carissa Veliz, associate professor at the Oxford Faculty of Philosophy and the Institute for Ethics in AI Chair: Roger McNamee, tech investor and author Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join
- 4 weeks ago1h 0m
The social impact of AI
In the three short years since the release of ChatGPT, AI chatbots have reshaped how millions of people live. But while the technology’s economic and political consequences are widely debated, its social and psychological impacts are only just beginning to come into focus. Mental health is emerging as one of the most pressing – and troubling – frontiers. According to OpenAI’s own data from October 2025, as many as 560,000 users a week were showing “possible signs of mental health emergencies related to psychosis or mania” in their interactions with its systems. Clinicians, researchers, and journalists are now documenting cases in which vulnerable users form intense, and sometimes harmful, relationships with AI tools. Join The Observer’s Technology Reporter Patricia Clarke, neuropsychiatrist at King’s College London Dr Thomas Pollak and Head of Research & Policy at Internet Matters Katie Freeman-Tayler for a live conversation based on reporting produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center’s AI Accountability Network. The panel will be discussing how AI is rewiring our emotional lives and answering questions on what risk and responsibilities come with technologies that can mimic empathy? What obligations do tech firms, regulators and governments face? And what lessons can be drawn from the slow reckoning with social media’s toll on mental health – especially among children and young people? Speakers: Patricia Clarke, Technology Reporter at The Observer Dr Thomas Pollak, Neuropsychiatrist at King’s College London Katie Freeman-Tayler, Head of Research and Policy at Internet Matters Chair: James Harding, Editor-in-Chief of The Observer In collaboration with: The Observer The Pulitzer Center’s AI Accountability Network. Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join
- May 14, 20261h 34m
The future skills agenda of the creative industries
The Creative Industries are critical to the UK government’s growth plans. To realise the potential, action is needed across education, skills and the creative workforce. This event sees the unveiling of findings from a major new study looking at skills provision across all sectors of the creative industries from museums and music, to publishing and performing arts. Representatives from across the creative industries will discuss the findings and analyse what they mean for the future of creative education, skills and workforce planning. Download the reports: https://pec.ac.uk/research_report_entr/creative-industries-skills-audits/ This event is presented by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (funded by the AHRC) in partnership with Work Advance, and the Royal Society of Arts. Speakers: Sir Peter Bazalgette, Co-Chair of the Creative Industries Council Heather Carey, Director of Work Advance Laura Mansfield, CEO of ScreenSkills Sinéad Rocks, Managing Director of Nations & Regions, Channel 4 Baroness Shriti Vadera, Co-Chair of the Creative Industries Council Rebecca Swarray, Principal for Creative Industries, Greater Manchester Combined Authority; freelance DJ, Curator and Producer Chair: Bernard Hay, Policy Director, Creative PEC Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join
- May 7, 20261h 2m
Inside the life of Elizabeth II
Acclaimed royal biographer Robert Hardman takes to the stage at the Royal Society of Arts for an intellectually curious evening exploring the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II. Marking the centenary of her birth, Hardman draws on unrivalled access to offer a subtle, revealing portrait of the woman behind the crown, guided by insights from his new book, ELIZABETH II. The conversation will reflect on the Queen’s formative years, her leadership across the century she reigned, and her distinctive bond with the RSA – where she served as President, Patron, and a quiet but influential presence. Blending historical insight with behind-the-scenes revelation, this event provides a thoughtful reflection on monarchy, legacy, and national identity in a changing world. Speaker: Robert Hardman, journalist, author and documentary filmmaker Chair: Emily Andrews, journalist, broadcaster and royal commentator Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join
- May 1, 202658 min
The Observer: The News Meeting Live
Have you ever been curious about how the news agenda is set and why certain stories lead the front page? In a live recording of The Observer podcast, The News Meeting, you’ll get a chance to see and hear how conversations shape the news agenda. You’ll get an insight into how newsrooms around the world decide what leads the news, what follows and in what order during their daily editorial conferences. You will be able to have your say, share the stories you think our panel of editors should be talking about, and watch leading journalists battle it out to make their story the lead of the day. Joining the evening’s line-up are The Observer‘s Deputy Sports Editor, Jessica Hayden, Climate Editor, Jeevan Vasagar, and RSA Fellow and Chief Political Commentator, Andrew Rawnsley. Together, they’ll bring insight, expertise and lively debate to the stage as they argue to Deputy Editor-in-Chief Giles Whittell for what should top the news agenda. Be a part of The News Meeting live and help set the news agenda. Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join
- Apr 9, 20261h 8m
Behind the Curtain
For 13 years, Sir Alex has led one of the world’s most iconic cultural institutions through a period of extraordinary change. Brexit. A global pandemic that closed theatres overnight. A cost-of-living crisis reshaping audiences and audience behaviour. Few organisations have faced these pressures more intensely, or more visibly, than the Royal Ballet and Opera. In this wide-ranging conversation, he reflects on what it takes to steward an institution of immense history and global reputation through one of the most defining and difficult decades in its history. This event will be followed by a drinks reception at 8pm. Speaker: Sir Alex Beard, Chief Executive, Royal Ballet and Opera Chair: Nancy Durrant, culture journalist and broadcaster In partnership with: Royal Ballet and Opera Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join
About RSA Events
World-changing ideas. For free. For everyone.Featuring the world’s most exciting public thinkers, innovators and changemakers, RSA talks bring people and ideas together to shape a better future for all.
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