Lewes Speakers Festival
Where bold ideas soar
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Lewes Speakers Festival 2026
8th, 9th and 10th May 2026
All Saints Centre, Lewes
Friday 8th May 2026
Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World
Friday 8th May 15.30 – 16.40
We live in an age obsessed with achievement, where progress is measured in targets hit and milestones ticked off. In this refreshing and quietly radical talk, cognitive neuroscientist and entrepreneur Anne-Laure Le Cunff, founder of the global learning community Ness Labs, invites us to step outside that treadmill. Drawing on ideas from her forthcoming book ‘Tiny Experiments’, she argues that curiosity, play and small-scale experimentation offer a more humane and effective path to growth than rigid goal-setting and relentless optimisation.
Blending neuroscience, practical tools and real-life examples, she shows how running “tiny experiments” in our work, relationships and daily routines can reduce pressure, spark creativity and build genuine momentum. Instead of chasing perfect plans, we learn to test, adapt and discover what actually works for us.
This is an energising invitation to trade perfectionism for exploration, turn uncertainty into a source of insight, and design a life that feels lighter, freer and more alive.
As Oliver Burkeman notes, Tiny Experiments is “profound, practical and generous … showing how we can jettison arduous attempts at self-improvement in favour of energising adventures.” Tiago Forte calls it “a paradigm-shifting exploration of how to apply the techniques of science to the messy domain of modern life,” while Ali Abdaal praises it as “a powerful guide to embracing curiosity and developing an experimental mindset.”
Anne-Laure Le Cunff is a cognitive neuroscientist and writer whose Ness Labs community has inspired over half a million readers to rethink productivity and learning. A former Google strategist turned researcher at King’s College London, she has been featured in The Guardian, BBC Worklife and The New York Times for her pioneering work on mindful productivity, creativity, and the neuroscience of curiosity.
A Q&A Session will follow.
Click Here to purchase tickets
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Sumit Paul-Choudhury in conversation with Richard Church
The Bright Side: How Optimists Change the World, and How You Can Be One
Friday 8th May 17.00 – 18.10
In the thought-provoking tradition of Yuval Noah Harari’s Homo Deus, this fascinating and reassuring talk explores the philosophy, psychology and practical power of optimism—and why being optimistic is, in Paul-Choudhury’s view, a moral obligation even in the face of today’s seemingly insurmountable challenges. Scrolling through daily newsfeeds filled with violence, turmoil, injustice, fake news, clickbait and worsening environmental crises, it can feel impossible to stay hopeful. The Bright Side shows why we must—and how we can.
Drawing on biology, history, economics, meteorology and cutting-edge behavioural science, Paul-Choudhury reveals the underappreciated evolutionary and cultural roots of optimism, its profound impacts on mental health and professional success, and the surprising ways it differs from naïve wishful thinking. He demonstrates how the principles of optimism help us cope with environmental change, artificial intelligence and rapid social transformation, illustrated through inspirational stories of explorers, scientists and activists who have used optimism as a tool for progress. A beacon amid dark times, his work provides a lens through which we can see our challenges more clearly—and practical tools for overcoming them to create a better future.
Sumit Paul-Choudhury is a writer, physicist and former Editor-in-Chief of ‘New Scientist’, widely admired for making complex ideas accessible and engaging. His journalism and analysis blend intellectual range with scientific clarity. A seasoned commentator on technology, systems thinking and human behaviour, he brings an unusually rich, interdisciplinary perspective to the subject—making this session both inspiring and deeply relevant for anyone seeking hope without delusion.
Richard Church grew up in South-East London and settled in East Sussex in the mid-1990s. After a 25-year career in book publishing, he re-trained as a counsellor and psychotherapist, qualifying in 2006 and establishing a private practice where he has since worked with hundreds of clients. Alongside his practice, he has supervised therapists, facilitated workshops and groups, and taught at both the Wealden Psychology Institute and Sussex Downs College (now East Sussex College). He continues to run a busy practice while maintaining a strong interest in understanding human experience.
A Q&A Session will follow.
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Jeremy Hunt
Can We Be Great Again?: Why a Dangerous World Needs Britain
Friday 8th May 18.30 – 19.40
After a turbulent decade, is Britain destined for decline—or still capable of real global influence?
Drawing on his experience as Foreign Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt argues that the UK still wields outsized leverage in a dangerous, more unpredictable world. He explores how our strengths in diplomacy, alliances, finance, soft power, and science continue to move the dial—and where we are falling short.
With candour and insight, Hunt sets out a practical vision for how Britain can use its influence wisely across Europe, NATO and the Indo-Pacific, and how renewed confidence at home can translate into leadership abroad. Expect sharp reflections on the lessons he learned from the Foreign Office and the Treasury, what works—and what doesn’t—when navigating crises, and why the world still needs a strong and principled Britain.
Jeremy Hunt is the Member of Parliament for Southwest Surrey and served as the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer (2022–2024) and Foreign Secretary (2018–2019). One of the longest-serving Cabinet ministers of the past decade, he also led the Department of Health and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
A fluent Japanese speaker and former entrepreneur who co-founded the educational publisher ‘Hotcourses’, Hunt has been a prominent voice on economic stability, healthcare reform, and Britain’s role in a shifting global order. His recent book ‘Can We Be Great Again?’ combines political memoir with a call for pragmatic optimism and renewed British purpose in a time of global uncertainty.
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A Q&A Session will follow.
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Professor Bill McGuire
The Fate of the World: What Earth’s Past Tells Us About Our Future
Friday 8th May 20.00 – 21.10
In this compelling and urgent talk, Professor Bill McGuire takes audiences on a journey through the Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history to show what our planet’s past can reveal about our future. Drawing on deep time, he explains how today’s rapid global heating is pushing us into climates unseen for millions of years, and why our current conditions already resemble the Eemian interglacial—an era when sea levels were 6 to 9 metres higher than they are today.
McGuire will outline how, by the 2030s, we are on course to recreate the Pliocene, a world of transformed coastlines and extreme weather patterns, and why—without dramatic action—later this century could even see a shift toward the early Eocene hothouse, a climate last experienced 50 million years ago. It is a trajectory that exposes just how swiftly we are rewinding the planet’s climate clock.
But while McGuire does not shy away from the severity of what lies ahead, his message is not one of despair. Instead, he offers a clear-eyed form of hope: the kind rooted in choice and action. The geological record shows that every tonne of carbon avoided and every fraction of a degree prevented will meaningfully shape the world future generations inherit. Catastrophe is not predetermined—we still have agency.
McGuire brings scientific authority and moral urgency to one of the defining conversations of our time.
In this gripping session, he will explain how we arrived at this moment, what Earth’s ancient history tells us about the coming centuries, and why the decisions we make now matter more than at any point in human history.
Professor Bill McGuire is one of the UK’s leading volcanologists and climate scientists. He is Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards at UCL and a world-recognised authority on the links between geological processes and climate change.
A former member of the UK Government’s Natural Hazard Working Group and contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), he has advised governments and international organisations on environmental risk for over three decades. McGuire is also a bestselling author, known for Waking the Giant, Hothouse Earth, Global Catastrophes, and now The Fate of the World, widely regarded as his most urgent and important book to date. His writing has been praised for combining scientific rigour with clarity, immediacy and moral force.
​A Q&A Session will follow.
Saturday 9th May 2026
Dr Fola Yahaya
Quite Possibly the Best Introduction to AI
Saturday 9th May 9.50 – 11.00
Artificial intelligence is transforming every part of our lives—but is it a threat, an opportunity, or both? We’ve been told AI will destroy and create jobs, supercharge and stifle creativity, serve us faithfully and deceive us cleverly. In this lively and sharply insightful talk, AI expert Fola Yahaya cuts through the hype to explain what Artificial Intelligence really is, how it works, and what’s coming next.
Drawing on the clarity and humour in his work that reviewers have praised as “the most accessible explanation of AI available today” and “a talk that replaces fear with understanding”, Yahaya shows where AI genuinely excels, where it reliably fails, and how we can prepare for the seismic changes ahead. Expect helpful visuals, practical strategies, and a fiercely down-to-earth guide to thriving—not merely surviving—in an AI-driven world.
Early audiences have described Yahaya’s approach as “transformative for anyone trying to stay ahead of technological change” and “a rare blend of expertise, wit and real-world insight.”
Founder of ‘Strategic Agenda’, Fola Yahaya holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and has served as an economist for the United Nations and an e-strategist for Morgan Stanley. Now a leading communicator and expert in Artificial Intelligence, he specialises in making complex ideas clear, practical and engaging for everyone.
A Q&A Session will follow.
Ian Williams
Vampire State — The Rise and Fall of the Chinese Economy – an update
Saturday 9th May 11.20 – 12.30
In this compelling follow-up to his acclaimed talk at last year’s festival, Ian Williams returns to explore the latest twists and turns in the story of Vampire State — his hard-hitting examination of the Chinese economy and the geopolitical implications of its rise. Drawing on fresh research and recent global developments, Williams will update audiences on how China’s “vampire economy” — a system where state power permeates markets, innovation and global supply chains — continues to evolve, resist external pressure and assert influence worldwide.
Expect incisive insights into state capitalism, technology battles, business deterrents and the future of global economic order.
The book on which this talk is based, is a gripping narrative on China’s political-economic model — state capitalism fused with socialist market ambitions — and the often predatory practices shaping domestic and global markets. With deep reporting and clarity, it unpacks how political will, regulatory coercion and Party control have moulded the world’s second-largest economy, affecting international business, technology competition and geopolitical strategy.
Ian Williams is an award-winning journalist and foreign correspondent whose career spans over three decades. He served as foreign correspondent for Channel 4 News in Russia and Asia, before joining NBC News as Asia Correspondent, reporting from Beijing, Bangkok and Hong Kong.
His reportage has taken him deep into economic powerplays, conflict zones and political change across the globe, and his work has garnered both Emmy and BAFTA awards. He has covered conflicts in the Balkans, the Middle East and Ukraine, and for more than 25 years has focused on China’s economic and political trajectory. He is currently a doctoral student at King’s College London’s War Studies department, researching cyber issues and international security.
Join this timely session for a panoramic yet incisive exploration of China’s economic strategy, the global implications of state-driven markets, and what the future might hold for investors, policymakers and citizens alike.
A Q&A Session will follow.
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Dr Andrew Bayliss
SPARTA: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Superpower
Saturday 9th May 12.50 - 14.00
Sparta has long captured the modern imagination. Its legendary warriors and stark discipline have been held up as a model for toughness, justice and masculinity, influencing everyone from political theorists to football managers. But behind the familiar images of bronze shields and austere heroism lies a far more complex—and more human—story.
In this absorbing and gripping talk, based on the book described by The Times as “absorbing” and praised by Sam Leith as “gripping”, Dr Andrew Bayliss takes us deep inside the world of Sparta: from its beginnings as a small settlement in the Peloponnese to its astonishing ascent as the foremost military power in Classical Greece. Bayliss explores the remarkable institutions that set Sparta apart—its double monarchy, its stark and demanding system of education, and the unusual freedoms held by Spartan women, which puzzled and fascinated their Greek contemporaries.
Yet this is also a story of fragility beneath the armour. Drawing on archaeology, ancient texts, and modern reinterpretation, Bayliss examines the tensions and contradictions that ultimately contributed to Sparta’s decline. As Dan Snow put it, “There are few bits of history more mythologised, sensitive and political than Sparta — but luckily we have Bayliss.”
This is history that speaks as much to our own world—identity, state power, collective myth-making—as to the ancient past. For anyone interested in how societies rise, define themselves, and ultimately change, this is an unmissable session.
Dr Andrew Bayliss is Associate Professor of Ancient History at the University of Birmingham and one of Britain’s leading authorities on Sparta and the ancient Greek world. He is the author of Sparta: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Superpower and The Spartans: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press), both widely praised for bringing clarity and insight to a subject long clouded by myth.
Bayliss has appeared on Dan Snow’s History Hit, BBC History Extra, and The Spectator Book Club, where his ability to combine scholarly rigour with lively storytelling has made him a sought-after commentator. His research focuses on Spartan society, values, emotional culture, and the ideological structures that sustained its power.
He is a clear, engaging and thoughtful speaker, known for making the ancient world vivid, relevant and deeply compelling for modern audiences.
A Q&A Session will follow.
Jason Burke
The Revolutionists: How the Radical 1970s Changed the World
Saturday 9th May 14.20 - 15.30
The 1970s were a decade when revolution felt imminent. Students marched, workers struck, empires collapsed — and a small but determined minority decided that protest was not enough. In this gripping and panoramic talk, Guardian correspondent Jason Burke traces how idealistic youth movements across Europe, the Middle East and Asia turned to militancy — reshaping politics, security and global culture in ways that still reverberate today.
Drawing on three decades of frontline reporting, exclusive interviews and deep archival research, Burke reveals how groups like the Red Brigades and the Baader–Meinhof Gang believed they were accelerating history. He shows how their shared language of liberation hardened into rigid ideology; how underground networks connected Berlin, Beirut, and beyond; and how government crackdowns transformed policing, intelligence services and counter-terror strategy permanently.
This is not simply a history of clandestine cells and safehouses. It is a story of yearning — for justice, meaning, belonging — and of how these desires can be manipulated, radicalised and weaponised. Burke’s argument, described by critics as “sober, humane and urgent”, forces us to consider the lessons for today:
• What happens when political institutions fail to persuade?
• Why do certain ideas catch fire among the young at moments of crisis?
• And how should societies respond without losing their own moral bearings?
The Revolutionists is essential for anyone concerned with the roots of modern extremism, the tensions between protest and violence, and the enduring allure of the revolutionary dream. It is both a vivid historical narrative and a warning about the temptation of absolute certainty in divided times.
Jason Burke is one of Britain’s most respected foreign correspondents and currently the Guardian’s international security correspondent. Over twenty-five years, he has reported from across the Middle East, South Asia and Africa, covering insurgencies, revolutions, and wars firsthand.
His books — including Al-Qaeda: The True Story of Radical Islam, The 9/11 Wars and The New Threat — are widely recommended as the most nuanced and authoritative accounts of contemporary militant movements. Renowned for clarity, empathy and on-the-ground insight, he is regarded as the reporter who explains the world we live in rather than merely describing it.
A Q&A Session will follow.
David Torrance
The Edge of Revolution: The General Strike That Shook Britain
Saturday 9th May 15.50 – 17.00
In May 1926, Britain came to a standstill. Two million workers downed tools in solidarity with the coal miners; trains stopped, foundries fell silent, newspapers vanished from the streets. For nine extraordinary days, the country hovered on the brink of something that felt — to many — like revolution. Some expected the collapse of the old order; others feared it. All understood that history was in motion.
In this compelling and richly atmospheric talk, David Torrance brings the General Strike to life as few have done before. Drawing on newly explored archives, diaries, letters and local accounts from across the country, he reconstructs the drama not from a single viewpoint but from the lived experience of those at every edge of the crisis: miners in South Wales, dockworkers on Tyneside, women running relief kitchens, editors trying to print newspapers in secret, Bishops pleading for calm, and Cabinet Ministers preparing for the worst.
Torrance examines how the strike’s hopes and anxieties were shaped by the shadow of the Russian Revolution, still fresh in the global imagination. He shows how the events of those nine days would shape British politics for decades: the hardening of class identities, the rise of new unions and new ideologies, the Labour Party’s struggle to define itself, and the enduring distrust between ordinary citizens and the state.
Critics have called Torrance’s work “absorbing, judicious and alive to human complexity”, offering a reminder that Britain’s past is not distant — it is still felt.
One hundred years on, The Edge of Revolution invites us to reconsider a moment when Britain almost became something radically different — and to explore what prevents societies from tipping into upheaval, or pushes them over the line.
David Torrance is an historian, journalist and senior researcher at the House of Commons Library, specialising in political biography and modern British political history.
A former columnist for The Herald and a frequent broadcaster, he has written widely on British and Scottish politics, including the acclaimed biography Salmond: Against the Odds and The Wild Men, a study of the forgotten radicals who shaped British reform movements. Known for his clear-eyed analysis and ability to make complex political history vivid and accessible, Torrance is one of the most engaging interpreters of Britain’s turbulent twentieth century.
A Q&A Session will follow.
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Professor Leah Ruppanner
Drained: The Real Mental Load and How to Reclaim Your Life
Saturday 9th May 17.20 – 18.30
A transformative talk on invisible labour, modern womanhood and the true cost of the mental load.
Why are so many women exhausted—even in households committed to equality? Why does mental overload persist across all stages of life? And what would happen if we finally understood the deeper structures shaping women’s emotional and cognitive labour?
In this revelatory session, internationally acclaimed sociologist Professor Leah Ruppanner introduces her groundbreaking new book ‘Drained’, a work already being hailed as a major contribution to understanding modern womanhood.
While the mental load is often described as lists, chores and logistics, Ruppanner shows that it is far more intricate: a continual, often invisible process of thinking several steps ahead, maintaining emotional harmony, anticipating needs, supporting relationships and curating a family’s happiness and wellbeing. Drawing on new research published for the first time, she maps eight distinct forms of mental load and the seven life stages in which they intensify, revealing why even highly capable, organised women often feel stretched thin despite “doing everything right”.
Ruppanner invites audiences to stop blaming themselves and instead examine the systems, expectations and cultural norms that make the mental load so uniquely heavy. She weaves science with vivid examples to show where the real pressure points lie, why the burden so often falls disproportionately on women, and—most importantly—how we can make meaningful, practical changes to reclaim our time, energy and sense of self. The result is a deeply empowering vision of how women can reshape their daily lives, build more balanced relationships and create space for richer, more joyful experiences.
Early readers describe ‘Drained’ as “a revelation”, “the book every woman has been waiting for”, and “a game-changer for families and workplaces alike”. Combining the analytical power of ‘Invisible Women’ with the emotional insight of ‘Untamed’, Ruppanner offers a toolkit that is both intellectually rigorous and profoundly humane, providing clarity and hope for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer mental effort of keeping life functioning.
Leah Ruppanner is a world-leading sociologist, Professor at the University of Melbourne, and Founding Director of the Future of Work Lab. Her research centres on gender, work, family life and public policy, and she is one of the foremost experts on the mental load and the dynamics of contemporary households.
Her work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, Vogue, The Guardian, The Atlantic and numerous other major outlets, and she is celebrated for her ability to translate robust social science into insights that are clear, relatable and transformative.
‘Drained’ is her most ambitious book to date, distilling over a decade of research into a powerful new framework for understanding emotional labour and offering a practical, hopeful path toward more equitable and fulfilling lives.
A Q&A Session will follow.
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Helen Pilcher
This Book May Cause Side Effects: The Nocebo Effect and the Mind–Body Trap
Saturday 9th May 18.50 – 20.00
A mind-bending journey into the dark side of belief, illness and the brain
What if some of the symptoms we experience are not caused by our bodies—but by our expectations?
What if fear, suggestion and cultural narratives can make us genuinely sick?
And what if understanding this hidden mechanism could make us healthier?
In this eye-opening talk, neuroscientist and acclaimed science writer Helen Pilcher uncovers the extraordinary world of the nocebo effect—the placebo’s “evil twin”—and reveals how powerful the mind can be in shaping pain, illness and ageing.
Drawing on amazing and sometimes jaw-dropping case studies, she explores why people without allergies develop real dietary intolerances; how children and adults alike can “catch” tics and symptoms through social media; why chronic pain can spread socially; and what lies behind modern medical mysteries from Havana Syndrome to mass psychogenic events and so-called hex deaths.
Pilcher shows how psychology, neuroscience and culture intertwine to produce very real suffering—and crucially, how we can use this knowledge to become less ill and more well, changing the stories our brains tell our bodies. Combining cutting-edge science with gripping storytelling, ‘This Book May Cause Side Effects’ pushes us to rethink everything we assume about illness, belief and the power of expectation.
Early readers have praised Pilcher’s writing as “brilliant, funny and deeply illuminating,” and her previous book ‘Life Changing’ was named a Science Book of the Year by The Times and shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing—recognition that cements her reputation as one of the UK’s most engaging and trustworthy science communicators.
Expect a talk that challenges your assumptions, unsettles your certainties and leaves you seeing the mind–body connection in an entirely new light.
Helen Pilcher is a neuroscientist-turned-science writer with a PhD in cell biology. A former stem-cell researcher, she now writes widely for publications including BBC Wildlife, BBC Science Focus, New Scientist and The Guardian. She is known for blending rigorous science with humour and clarity, making complex ideas accessible to general audiences.
Her books range from genetics and evolutionary biology to the science of de-extinction and the hidden microbial world that shapes our lives. ‘Life Changing’ earned major critical acclaim, being selected as a Science Book of the Year by The Times and shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize, confirming her as one of Britain’s most compelling explainers of modern science.
With ‘This Book May Cause Side Effects’, Pilcher delivers her most provocative work yet—a radical, humane and revelatory exploration of why we get sick and how our expectations can shape our biology.
A Q&A Session will follow.
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Thant Myint-U
Peacemaker: U Thant, the United Nations and the Untold Story of the 1960s
Saturday 9th May 20.20 – 21.30
In this powerful and timely talk, acclaimed historian and writer Thant Myint-U presents his forthcoming book Peacemaker a sweeping biography of his grandfather U Thant, the longest-serving Secretary-General of the United Nations and one of the most influential yet overlooked figures of the twentieth century.
Drawing on new archival research and a lifetime of personal insight, Thant reveals how a former schoolteacher from Burma became the quiet architect of diplomacy during the stormiest decade of the Cold War.
U Thant stood at the centre of some of the most dangerous confrontations in modern history — the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, the Congo crisis, and the Six-Day War — navigating each with a mix of steadfast principles, moral clarity, and a deep belief in international cooperation. Calm, pragmatic and fiercely independent, he embodied a vision of global leadership that prioritised ethics over power politics.
Peacemaker is not only the story of U Thant’s remarkable life; it is also a fresh diplomatic history of the 1960s, revealing how the United Nations shaped world affairs at a moment of decolonisation, technological change, and superpower rivalry.
As today’s international order strains under new conflicts, resurgent nationalism and fragmented alliances, Thant Myint-U argues that his grandfather’s forgotten example offers an urgent message: the future was never predetermined — and the possibilities once imagined may still be reclaimed.
Thant Myint-U is an American-Burmese historian, writer, and international public servant. He is currently a Visiting Fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he lives. A former senior UN official, he has served in peacekeeping, political affairs and humanitarian roles around the world.
He is the acclaimed author of several award-winning books on Myanmar and global history, praised for their depth, clarity and humanity. His work has been described as “essential,” “masterful,” and “a rare blend of scholarly insight and vivid storytelling.”
A Q&A Session will follow.
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Sunday 10th May 2026
Brian Groom
These Isles: A People’s History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Sunday 10th May 9.50 – 11.00
Join journalist-author Brian Groom for a provocative and wide-ranging conversation about Britain’s regional identity, the legacy of its industrial past and how the story of the UK’s nations and regions may illuminate our collective future. Groom argues that our understanding of Britain must move beyond London-centric narratives: the fortunes of the North, Scotland, Wales and the Midlands are central to the story of change, innovation, crisis and renewal.
In this talk, he will explore how the regions shaped Britain’s modern world—from the rise of industrial cities and waves of migration, to the cultural reinventions of recent decades—and why they matter for understanding social, economic and political futures. With both historical depth and journalistic sharpness, Groom will show how the challenges faced by the regions reflect national themes of inequality, identity and transformation. Expect insights, anecdotes and a rallying-cry for recognising the power of place.
Groom draws out the untold stories of Britain outside the South-East, revealing how regional history shapes both our present and our future. His storytelling is widely praised for making “the big national questions” vivid by examining them at the local scale, bringing depth and immediacy to issues often seen only through a London-centric lens. For anyone interested in how Britain became what it is today—and where it might be heading—this session offers fresh perspectives, sharp insights and genuinely stimulating discussion.
Brian Groom grew up in the North of England and built a distinguished career in journalism. He spent nearly three decades at the Financial Times, where at various times he held senior editorial roles. He is the author of the best-selling book: Northerners: A History, from the Ice Age to the Present Day (2022), a sweeping exploration of the North of England, and Made in Manchester: A People’s History of the City That Shaped the Modern World (2024). Now living in Saddleworth, Groom brings both journalistic immediacy and historical breadth to his work.
A Q&A Session will follow.
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Philip Coggan
The Economic Consequences of Mr Trump: What the Trade War Means for the World
Sunday 10th May 11.20 - 12.30
What happens when the world’s largest economy conducts trade policy by impulse? As tariffs rise one day and fall the next, businesses are left bewildered, consumers feel the squeeze, and global supply chains are thrown into uncertainty. In this clear and highly accessible talk, award-winning financial journalist Philip Coggan examines Donald Trump’s trade war and its profound implications for Britain and the wider world.
Drawing from his new book, described by the Financial Times as “one of the best new books on economics”, Coggan explores why a retreat from global trade threatens investment, jobs and stability — and how we can make sense of this new “age of chaos.” Expect explanation, clarity and a powerful defence of why open markets matter — alongside practical reflections for households, businesses and investors in the UK.
Philip Coggan is one of Britain’s most respected financial journalists. He was formerly The Economist’s Buttonwood columnist, writing on global finance and investment, and previously served as capital markets editor at the Financial Times. He is the author of several acclaimed works on economics and political history, including Paper Promises (winner of the Spear’s Book Award for Financial Book of the Year) and More: The 10,000-Year Rise of the World Economy. His writing is widely praised for its insight, clarity and ability to make global economic forces understandable to everyday readers.
A Q&A Session will follow.
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Professor Colin Shindler
A Forever War: Israel, Palestine & the Quest for Impartial History
Sunday 10th May 12.50 - 14.00
In a moment when opinions harden and narratives polarize, Colin Shindler offers something rare — a calm, scholarly, and critical examination of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Drawing on his forthcoming book A Forever War, he asks the most difficult questions: how did this enduring conflict arise? Is it truly possible to write history without bias? Was the Balfour Declaration a misstep or a milestone? Could much of the bitterness and violence have been avoided? And how is it that Israel, founded as a homeland for Jews, is itself fractured — while Palestinians remain in limbo, even among other Arab states?
This session will walk us through seventy-plus years of conflict, probing both the mainstream and the fringe — from militant Islamists to ultra-Orthodox Jewish nationalists — yet always striving to remain even-handed. In a turbulent moment, it is an invitation to pause, reflect, and question how we seek truth in a “forever war.”
Colin Shindler is Emeritus Professor of Jewish and Israel Studies at SOAS, University of London, and the founding chairman of the European Association of Israel Studies, which he helped establish as the leading academic forum for the field. Over several decades he has been a prominent voice in the study of Israeli history, Zionism and Jewish politics, lecturing widely in Europe, the United States and the Middle East.
A former journalist and broadcaster, Shindler has contributed to major international outlets and advised media and policy groups on Middle Eastern affairs. Known for his clarity and balance, he has dedicated much of his career to fostering informed, civil discussion on Israel–Palestine at a time when debate is often polarised.
A Q&A Session will follow.
John Kampfner
Braver New World: The Countries Daring to Do Things Others Won’t
Sunday 10th May 14.20 – 15.30
At a moment when British politics seems paralysed by caution and national debates are dominated by what can’t be done, John Kampfner offers a radically different perspective: around the world, countries are confronting the very challenges we avoid—boldly, creatively and successfully.
Drawing on his acclaimed new book Braver New World, Kampfner takes the audience on a gripping journey through ten nations that have refused to accept stagnation. In Japan, he explores inter-generational care homes that restore dignity and connection in later life—while Britain continues to delay social-care reform. In Vienna, he discovers subsidised housing so successful that 60% of residents choose it, producing thriving, mixed communities without stigma. Taiwan’s smart, affordable health system achieves 90% satisfaction rates at a fraction of the NHS cost.
He travels through Finland, where schools prepare children for an unpredictable future rather than “teach to the test,” and Morocco, where vast Saharan solar plants generate clean energy for millions of homes. These aren’t hypothetical models—they’re working systems already changing lives. What unites these countries, Kampfner argues, is not wealth but courage: the willingness to attempt solutions that others shy away from.
This talk is a wake-up call and an invitation. The ideas exist. The question for Britain is whether we are brave enough to learn.
John Kampfner is an award-winning author, broadcaster and foreign-affairs commentator with one of the most distinguished journalistic careers of his generation. He began reporting from East Berlin during the fall of the Wall and from Moscow during the collapse of communism, covering history as it unfolded for The Telegraph. After returning to Britain, he covered domestic politics for the Financial Times and the BBC before becoming Editor of the New Statesman. A regular presence on television and radio, Kampfner has made numerous documentaries and written six previous books, including the bestselling Blair’s Wars. His book Why the Germans Do It Better was a top-ten bestseller, named Book of the Year in The Guardian, The Economist and The New Statesman, and has sold over 150,000 copies across all editions. His most recent work, In Search of Berlin, was published in 2023.
A Q&A Session will follow.
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Dr. Johnny Teague
Thomas Paine Returns: Common Sense for a Nation in Crisis
Sunday 10th May 15.50 – 17.00
What Would Thomas Paine Say If He Walked into Lewes Today?
What would Thomas Paine — the great pamphleteer of Common Sense and one-time resident of Lewes — make of the modern world if he returned now?
In an age of rising debt, deepening mistrust in institutions, political polarisation, social fragmentation and a pervasive sense of drift, Dr Johnny Teague argues that Western democracies face a crisis not just of policy, but of civic confidence and moral direction. Paine’s questions, he suggests, have never been more urgent.
Drawing on his new work ‘Thomas Paine Returns with Common Sense’, Teague explores how Paine — writing for ordinary citizens, not elites — challenged complacency, demanded accountability, and insisted that liberty must rest on responsibility, restraint and civic virtue.
Alongside Paine, he revisits the wider Enlightenment tradition that shaped constitutional thinking on both sides of the Atlantic, asking what has endured — and what has been forgotten.
Teague proposes that renewal does not lie in novelty alone, but in recovery: a return to first principles. Just as an athlete revisits fundamentals to regain form, societies too must sometimes relearn the basics — constitutional limits, shared civic norms, and moral seriousness — if they are to thrive.
Set against Lewes’ own radical history and tradition of dissent, this talk invites the audience to ask whether “common sense” has been lost in the noise of modern politics — and whether reclaiming it might offer a path towards renewal.
Expect a lively, historically grounded talk rich in quotation, sharp questions and contemporary relevance.
Dr Johnny Teague is an historian, author and former nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives. He has a background in constitutional history, political thought and religious culture. He holds five university degrees, including two master’s degrees and a doctorate, and is also a patented inventor. He writes regularly for a range of cultural and policy publications and is a frequent broadcast commentator in the United States.
A Q&A Session will follow.
Click Here to purchase tickets
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Liam Byrne
Why Populists Are Winning: And How to Beat Them
Sunday 10th May 17.20 - 18.30
Populism is not a fringe phenomenon anymore — it is transforming politics across the world. From Trump to Le Pen, from Brexit to the AfD, populists are capturing the anger of those who feel ignored, insecure and left behind. Their message resonates deeply — but the solutions they offer lead somewhere far more dangerous: polarisation, disinformation and democratic erosion.
In this talk, Liam Byrne sets out what is really driving the rise of populism — and what can be done about it. Drawing on new, in-depth research with voters across the UK, US, France and Germany, he reveals the five core tactics populist movements use to build support, and why simply shouting louder from the political mainstream never works. Instead, he argues that the answer lies in rebuilding a confident, values-driven radical centre — one that tackles inequality head-on, restores economic dignity, and reconnects with communities who feel unseen.
Clear, engaging and grounded in practical solutions, Byrne’s message is ultimately one of renewal rather than despair. Why Populists Are Winning is a call to action for anyone who refuses to leave our shared future to fear and division.
Liam Byrne is Member of Parliament for Birmingham Hodge Hill and former Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
Over a long career in public service, he has held senior roles in government and opposition and is known for his work on inequality, inclusive growth and political reform. He is Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Inclusive Growth and author of several books, most recently The Inequality of Wealth.
His new book ‘Why Populists Are Winning’ has been praised as a sharp, timely and solutions-focused response to one of the defining political challenges of our age.
A Q&A Session will follow.
Click Here to purchase tickets
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Maria Romanenko and Jez Myers
How not to flee a war
Sunday 10th May 18.50 – 20.00
In February 2022, as Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, millions of people packed bags, found transport and fled west. Maria Romanenko and her British partner Jez Myers were in Kyiv — and, at first, chose to stay. Not out of bravado, but from a belief that some stories must be told from where they are happening, and that some communities cannot simply be left behind.
This extraordinary joint talk traces what followed: life in a city under bombardment and blackout, the moral and emotional calculus of whether to run or remain, and the moment when staying was no longer possible. Blending memoir, frontline reportage, and moments of dark, disarming humour, Maria and Jez recount their journey alongside the stories of those they met along the way — decisions made with limited information, mistakes that carried real consequences, and escapes that did not always end safely.
Their own flight was documented by international media, with the BBC tracking their journey and interviews given to outlets including ITV and ABC Australia. For Maria, the danger was acute: her previous work exposing Russian war crimes against Crimean Tatar journalists meant that Russian forces outside Kyiv posed a direct threat not only to her life, but also to Jez’s.
They are candid, too, about the privileges they carried with them — supportive networks, a home waiting in the UK, language skills, and a public platform others lacked. Alongside them were people whose lives had been reduced to a single carrier bag, who slept on sports-hall floors in Poland, and who faced an uncertain future with none of those advantages.
Those experiences led Maria and Jez, once settled in Manchester, to found ‘All for Ukraine’, a project supporting displaced Ukrainians and advising on integration in the UK. Today, Maria is one of the most recognised Ukrainian voices in Britain, frequently called upon to explain the war from the inside.
Clear-eyed, humane and unexpectedly uplifting, How NOT to Flee a War offers a rare dual perspective on Europe’s largest conflict in 80 years — what it looks and sounds like for ordinary people forced to decide whether to stay, to go, or to survive somewhere in between. It is a testament to resilience, solidarity, and the power of bearing witness when it would be easier to look away.
Maria Romanenko is a Ukrainian journalist and commentator who has reported widely on Ukrainian politics, civil society and the human realities of Russia’s invasion. Known for her direct, unsentimental voice, she has become a frequent explainer of Ukraine to international audiences while remaining rooted in on-the-ground reporting and civic action in Kyiv. Alongside her journalism, she has helped mobilise volunteer and mutual-aid efforts to support those affected by the war. She is the first Ukrainian winner of the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award
Jez Myers is a British photographer and writer who was living in Kyiv when the invasion began. Choosing to remain in the city, he documented everyday life under attack, capturing moments of vulnerability, endurance and defiant normality. His work focuses on the lived experience of civilians in wartime and reflects a deep, personal commitment to the community he shares with Maria. He is the winner of Manchester City Council Pride of Manchester award.
A Q&A Session will follow.
Click Here to purchase tickets
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Sunday 10th May 2026
WORKSHOPS
IN THE REAR HALL OF THE ALL SAINTS CENTRE
Yuliia Fedorenko
Cashflow: Financial Life Simulation Game
Saturday 9th May 14:45 – 17:45
Maximum participants per session: 7
Discover how financial decisions shape your life in this engaging 3 hour interactive workshop that brings money management, investing and business strategy to life through play. Based on Cashflow 101, a financial education board game created by Robert Kiyosaki — author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad — this session places you in a dynamic simulation where your choices about income, expenses, investing and risk lead you through a model of real-world financial life.
Rather than passive learning, you will live your financial journey: starting from everyday income and outgoings, you’ll experience how building assets, managing liabilities, making investment decisions and navigating unexpected events affects your cash flow.
The objective is to exit the “rat race” — where your work income merely covers your expenses — by increasing your passive income through strategic choices, and then step onto the “fast track” where you can pursue larger financial goals.
This practical simulation introduces key concepts such as passive vs active income, assets and liabilities, cash flow management, risk and reward, and strategic investing, helping you see how different approaches can lead to very different outcomes.
By making decisions on real estate, business opportunities, expenses and savings within the game framework, you’ll gain insight into financial behaviours that can be transferred to your real life.
In this supportive group environment, you will be guided step-by-step through the game by Yuliia Fedorenko, a seasoned finance professional with over 18 years’ experience in the financial sector and a certified Cashflow trainer.
Yuliia has run more than 100 Cashflow sessions, helping people of all backgrounds to build financial confidence and practical money-management skills. She brings both deep expertise and an encouraging coaching style to the workshop, making complex concepts accessible and engaging.
Whether you are just beginning to think about your financial future, looking to refine your investment mindset, or simply curious about how money decisions affect your life trajectory, this workshop will equip you with fresh perspectives and strategic thinking tools.
All materials are provided — no prior financial knowledge is required. This is an ideal opportunity to explore your financial strategies, challenge your assumptions, and leave with a clearer sense of how to manage and grow your cash flow effectively.
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Diana Yeliseieva
Ukrainian Samchykivka art workshop
Sunday 10th May 09:50 – 11.30
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FIRST SESSION
Following a hugely successful and highly praised January workshop, Diana returns to Lewes after what participants described as a “truly inspiring” and “wonderful” experience.
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Attendees praised her warmth, knowledge and authenticity, highlighting the depth and cultural richness she brought to this traditional Ukrainian art form. “She had a lovely manner and presence,” wrote one participant, while another described her as “an inspiring teacher” who made the session feel “really special to attend.”
Many guests were so enthused that they have continued experimenting with the style at home, with one art teacher even introducing Samchykivka into her own classroom. We are delighted to welcome Diana back to build on this enthusiasm and offer another opportunity to explore this vibrant and meaningful tradition. We have also made the session significantly longer.
So please come and discover one of Ukraine’s most radiant and uplifting artistic heritages in this hands-on workshop dedicated to Samchykivka — a joyful folk-art style celebrated for its bold colours, symbolic motifs and protective, talismanic designs.
Your guide is Diana Yeliseieva, a mother of four who has been living in the UK since the beginning of the war and who recently returned from Samchyky, the village where Samchykivka was born, to deepen her learning with a master of the tradition.
Samchykivka emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the Khmelnytskyi region as a form of house decoration. Villagers painted vibrant, symmetrical compositions of flowers, birds and mythic symbols directly onto their homes to invite protection, harmony and good fortune.
Though nearly lost during the upheavals of the mid-20th century, the art was revived in the 1970s by dedicated local artists who preserved its techniques, colour palette and symbolic language. Today it is recognised on Ukraine’s National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage and cherished for its connection to nature, resilience and hope.
In this workshop, Diana introduces the history and cultural meaning behind the motifs, explains the symbolism woven into each pattern, and guides you step-by-step in creating your own traditional Samchykivka artwork. For Diana, this folk tradition has been a daily source of strength and connection to home — a warmth and dedication she shares generously with every participant.
No experience is required — only curiosity, creativity and a willingness to explore a beautiful piece of Ukrainian culture.
You can see an interview with Diana on Latest TV at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQxbN_vO7dA
All materials are provided.
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Diana Yeliseieva
Ukrainian Samchykivka art workshop
Sunday 10th May 12:40 - 14:20
Maximum participants per session: 15
Following a hugely successful and highly praised January workshop, Diana returns to Lewes after what participants described as a “truly inspiring” and “wonderful” experience.
​
Attendees praised her warmth, knowledge and authenticity, highlighting the depth and cultural richness she brought to this traditional Ukrainian art form. “She had a lovely manner and presence,” wrote one participant, while another described her as “an inspiring teacher” who made the session feel “really special to attend.”
Many guests were so enthused that they have continued experimenting with the style at home, with one art teacher even introducing Samchykivka into her own classroom. We are delighted to welcome Diana back to build on this enthusiasm and offer another opportunity to explore this vibrant and meaningful tradition. We have also made the session significantly longer.
So please come and discover one of Ukraine’s most radiant and uplifting artistic heritages in this hands-on workshop dedicated to Samchykivka — a joyful folk-art style celebrated for its bold colours, symbolic motifs and protective, talismanic designs.
Your guide is Diana Yeliseieva, a mother of four who has been living in the UK since the beginning of the war and who recently returned from Samchyky, the village where Samchykivka was born, to deepen her learning with a master of the tradition.
Samchykivka emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the Khmelnytskyi region as a form of house decoration. Villagers painted vibrant, symmetrical compositions of flowers, birds and mythic symbols directly onto their homes to invite protection, harmony and good fortune.
Though nearly lost during the upheavals of the mid-20th century, the art was revived in the 1970s by dedicated local artists who preserved its techniques, colour palette and symbolic language. Today it is recognised on Ukraine’s National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage and cherished for its connection to nature, resilience and hope.
In this workshop, Diana introduces the history and cultural meaning behind the motifs, explains the symbolism woven into each pattern, and guides you step-by-step in creating your own traditional Samchykivka artwork. For Diana, this folk tradition has been a daily source of strength and connection to home — a warmth and dedication she shares generously with every participant.
No experience is required — only curiosity, creativity and a willingness to explore a beautiful piece of Ukrainian culture.
You can see an interview with Diana on Latest TV at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQxbN_vO7dA
All materials are provided.
​
Yuliia Fedorenko
Cashflow: Financial Life Simulation Game
Sunday 10th May 14:45 – 17:45
Maximum participants per session: 7
Discover how financial decisions shape your life in this engaging 3 hour interactive workshop that brings money management, investing and business strategy to life through play. Based on Cashflow 101, a financial education board game created by Robert Kiyosaki — author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad — this session places you in a dynamic simulation where your choices about income, expenses, investing and risk lead you through a model of real-world financial life.
Rather than passive learning, you will live your financial journey: starting from everyday income and outgoings, you’ll experience how building assets, managing liabilities, making investment decisions and navigating unexpected events affects your cash flow.
The objective is to exit the “rat race” — where your work income merely covers your expenses — by increasing your passive income through strategic choices, and then step onto the “fast track” where you can pursue larger financial goals.
This practical simulation introduces key concepts such as passive vs active income, assets and liabilities, cash flow management, risk and reward, and strategic investing, helping you see how different approaches can lead to very different outcomes.
By making decisions on real estate, business opportunities, expenses and savings within the game framework, you’ll gain insight into financial behaviours that can be transferred to your real life.
In this supportive group environment, you will be guided step-by-step through the game by Yuliia Fedorenko, a seasoned finance professional with over 18 years’ experience in the financial sector and a certified Cashflow trainer.
Yuliia has run more than 100 Cashflow sessions, helping people of all backgrounds to build financial confidence and practical money-management skills. She brings both deep expertise and an encouraging coaching style to the workshop, making complex concepts accessible and engaging.
Whether you are just beginning to think about your financial future, looking to refine your investment mindset, or simply curious about how money decisions affect your life trajectory, this workshop will equip you with fresh perspectives and strategic thinking tools.
All materials are provided — no prior financial knowledge is required. This is an ideal opportunity to explore your financial strategies, challenge your assumptions, and leave with a clearer sense of how to manage and grow your cash flow effectively.
​