explore words discover worlds

What does the future of gardening look like in an era of climate crisis, urban inequality, and shifting notions of land and community? Inspired by Unearthed: The Power of Gardening , a landmark British Library exhibition and the accompanying Gardens of the Future book, this dynamic panel brings together growers, writers, artists and activists to explore gardening as a tool for resistance, healing...

Led by Shaykh Atabek Shukurov, this session explores the foundational principles of Greco-Islamic herbal medicine, drawing on the legacy of figures such as Plato, Galen, Ibn Sina, and Ibn Nafis. Rooted in the classical text Urjoozah by Ibn Sina, the discussion covers key concepts including the elements, humors, organs, and the natural balance essential to health. Attendees will gain insight into h...

What does it mean to write from – and about – the North? Join authors Marcia Hutchinson and Liz Mistry for a conversation exploring Northern identity, representation, and storytelling rooted in place. From crime fiction to memoir, their work brings the voices, landscapes, and complexities of the North to life, challenging stereotypes and championing diverse perspectives. Together, they’ll discuss...

Join writers and journalists Shahed Ezaydi, Samia Rahman, Remona Aly and Sabbiyah Pervez for a vital conversation exploring the experiences of Muslim women in the media today. From newsroom representation to public perception, the panel will discuss how Muslim women navigate an industry often shaped by bias, underrepresentation, and sensationalism. Drawing on their work across journalism, publishi...

In an age where artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of security and surveillance, this compelling discussion brings together two leading voices at the heart of the debate. Dr Hassan Ugail, a renowned AI and biometrics expert whose groundbreaking work has been used in high-profile criminal investigations, offers deep insight into the power and potential of facial recognition techn...

Join author Zimarina Sarwar to explore her latest book, The Four Imams , a profound examination of the lives and legacies of the four most revered Islamic scholars. It is known that Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’i, and Imam Ahmad made contributions that have shaped Islamic jurisprudence and scholarship for centuries. Through her compelling narrative style, Sarwar will bring to life the p...

This powerful session explores poetry as an act of resistance and a voice for the voiceless. At its heart are four towering literary figures: Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Pablo Neruda, Mahmoud Darwish, and Nizar Qabbani, whose words transcended borders and became rallying cries for justice, dignity, and freedom. Faiz and Neruda were known friends and fellow travellers in the international struggle for peace a...

Join authors Angela Hui ( Takeaway ) and Candice Chung ( Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You ) for a conversation exploring the deep ties between food, memory, and identity. Hui reflects on growing up in a Chinese takeaway in rural Wales, while Chung explores reconnecting with her estranged parents through shared meals. Both memoirs reveal how food becomes a powerful language of love, heritage, a...

Rising tensions between India and Pakistan are once again drawing global attention – but they’re also part of a much bigger story. As China and the West compete for influence through military technology, strategic alliances, and shifting defence deals, regional conflicts like the one over Kashmir are becoming flashpoints in a wider struggle for global power. We explore the roles China and the West...

Join bestselling author Ben Aitken for Shitty Breaks: A Celebration of Unsung UK Cities , a wry and warm-hearted look at the places most travel guides skip. Based on his latest book, Aitken takes us on a journey through some of Britain’s most maligned towns and cities, from Slough to Stoke, uncovering their overlooked charm, humour, and resilience. Blending social commentary with sharp observation...

Step into the rich and complex story of Japan with acclaimed writer and Japan specialist, Lesley Downer, as she brings to life key moments from her book, The Shortest History of Japan . From samurai and shoguns to emperors, industrialists and pop culture pioneers, Downer unpacks the pivotal forces that have shaped one of the world’s most influential nations. Whether you’re new to Japan’s history o...

In an age of feeling and emotional excess, what enduring guidance can we find in the novels of Jane Austen? President of Zaytuna College, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, will explore how Austen’s moral clarity, subtle social critique, and focus on character formation offer a compelling response to the instability of modern life. Drawing on both the Islamic tradition and the Western literary canon, Shaykh Hamz...

Join father-daughter duo Kitty and Al Tait, authors of Breadsong , for a warm and inspiring conversation about baking, resilience, and the joy of doing things together. From a kitchen in Oxfordshire to national acclaim, their story is one of hope, healing, and the life-changing power of bread. Discover how flour, yeast, and a bit of love helped rebuild their lives – and how baking can nourish both...

As AI begins generating sermons, answering theological questions, and even issuing automated fatwas, sacred authority faces a new test. Can machine logic align with religious wisdom — or are we witnessing its quiet transformation? In this multifaith panel, Rabbi Dr Harris Bor — a barrister, theologian, and AI ethics commissioner — joins Dr Yaqub Chaudhary — a Visiting Scholar at the Leverhulme Cen...

Discover the forgotten histories of Muslim servicemen and women who fought for Britain in Great Faith: Stories of Sacrifice and Contribution , an illustrated talk and panel with Nizam Uddin OBE featuring renowned military portrait artist Arabella Dorman and special guests. Featuring a screening of the powerful short film from the Great Faith project and a moving exhibition of portraits by Arabella...

Following the landmark Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, our panellists return to reflect on what it revealed — and what comes next. Join Dr Abdulrahman Azzam and Remona Ally as they explore the living legacy of Islamic art and architecture, its global influence, and its power to connect past and present. From philosophy to form, tradition to innovation, they’ll discuss how Islamic aesthetics conti...

What does the radical poetry and art of William Blake say about the promises and failures of the American Dream? Join art historian and political columnist, Stephen F. Eisenman, and Blake scholar, Jason Whittaker, for a provocative exploration of Blake’s revolutionary vision, its surprising relevance to American ideals of freedom, and its actual practices of power. Drawing on Blake’s fierce critiq...

Join acclaimed food writer Fiona Dunlop and scholar Daniel L. Newman for a sensory journey through the rich culinary heritage of al-Andalus. Dunlop’s Andaluz explores the lasting influence of Moorish cuisine in southern Spain, featuring ingredients like saffron and almonds rooted in Arab and Berber traditions. Newman’s translation of The Exile’s Cookbook offers rare insight into medieval food cult...

Interested in a career in publishing? Join Bloomsbury as they invite Harper North and Wonderful for an insightful session on how to break into the industry. This event offers a unique opportunity to hear from professionals at top publishing houses and a recruitment expert. Gain insights into the diverse career paths within publishing, from editorial to marketing, and discover what employers are lo...

What happens when feminism excludes the very women it claims to liberate? In this powerful conversation, Minna Salami ( Can Feminism Be African? ) and Shahed Ezaydi ( The Othered Woman ) explore the erasures, assumptions, and possibilities at the heart of global feminist discourse.   Drawing on African political philosophy, lived experience, and intersectional critique, they unpack how feminism ca...

To mark Sandala’s publication of the late Dr. Thomas Cleary’s translation of the Qur’an , Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, President of Zaytuna College, joins us to reflect on Cleary’s brilliant rendering of God’s Final Testament. Cleary’s translation – remarkable for its clarity and precision – presents the Qur’an as a living text, inviting both Muslim and non-Muslim readers into its ethical and contemplative...

250 years since her birth, step into the world of one of English literature’s most beloved authors, Jane Austen. Her wit, social critique, and unforgettable characters have captivated readers for over two centuries, but who was the woman behind Pride and Prejudice , Sense and Sensibility , and Emma ? Join Caroline Sanderson, Helena Kelly, and Lizzie Dunford as they explore Austen’s life, legacy, a...

Join historians, Iain Macgregor and Sinclair McKay, for an insightful discussion on the aftermath of World War Two, and how its impact still governs global affairs today. Drawing on decades of research, they explore the enduring legacies of the Second World War and how its outcomes continue to shape international politics, diplomacy, and conflicts. From shifting alliances to the rise of new powers...

More than a decade of war has reshaped Syria and the wider region. With Bashar al-Assad no longer in power and a fragile transitional government now in place under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the country stands at a historic turning point.  This panel brings together leading experts to explore what the future holds for Syria: from rebuilding institutions and seeking justice to managing sectarian te...

In July 1995, over 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were murdered in Srebrenica — the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War. This event explores how genocide unfolded in the heart of Europe, the silence that enabled it, and the urgent need to remember. Through testimony, history, and reflection, we examine the legacy of Srebrenica: from international failure and justice effor...