explore words discover worlds

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 looking for in candidates. With expert advice, industry tips, and Q&A sessions, this is the perfect chance to learn how to kick-start your publishing career.

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 can become a tool of dominance — and how it might be reimagined through radically inclusive lenses. From the politics of selfhood to the violence of white feminism, this is an urgent dialogue about power, plurality, and the futures feminism must confront.

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 dimensions. Shaykh Hamza will explore how this faithful rendition of the Qur’an holds true to its greatest purpose: to soak the soul in its recital and timeless message. Joining Shaykh Hamza Yusuf in conversation are Dr Aisha Subhani, Vice President of Zaytuna College, and Dr Asad Tarsin, as they consider the power of translation, the significance of this work, and the enduring relevance of the Qur’an’s guidance in our time.

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, and literary brilliance. From her sharp observations of class and gender to the personal experiences that shaped her novels, this event offers fresh insight into Austen’s world. Discover how her quiet defiance and enduring relevance continue to inspire, and gain a deeper understanding of the woman who redefined the novel and remains a literary legend.

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, this event offers a compelling analysis of the war’s long shadow on global affairs. Ideal for history enthusiasts and those interested in understanding the complex forces shaping the modern world.

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 tensions, regional influence, and refugee return. As Syria re-emerges on the international stage, what will it take to move from survival to stability — and can a lasting peace ever be built on the ruins of the past?

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 efforts to rising nationalism and denial today.  As anti-Muslim rhetoric resurfaces across Europe, remembering Srebrenica is not just about the past. We explore what allowed this to happen, if it could happen again, and what remembrance demands of us now.

With war in the Middle East, Donald Trump’s return to the White House, and a new Labour government in the UK, 2025 has brought dramatic political shifts. These come alongside rising climate urgency, widening global inequality, and disruptive advances in AI and biotechnology. In this timely talk, Professor Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies, explores the key trends shaping our world. Drawing on decades of expertise in international security, he considers the challenges and opportunities that may define the second half of this turbulent decade — and asks whether a more peaceful, sustainable future is still within reach.

The 7/7 attacks were a defining moment in modern British history — shaping public policy, media narratives, and how communities experience the state. Two decades on, the effects are still unfolding. In this event, we will discuss how counterterrorism laws and surveillance reshaped civil liberties, the impact on British Muslim identity, trust, and belonging, and how the framing of 7/7 continues to shape the way Islam is spoken about in public life. As Islamophobia intensified and far-right politics gained traction, what role did the media and state play? This event asks what we’ve learned — and what kind of society we want to be now.

Join two exciting voices in speculative fiction, M. H. Ayinde and Marve Anson, as they delve into the craft of worldbuilding – from creating magic systems and futuristic technology to developing languages and rich cultural traditions. Chaired by writer and journalist, Sarah Shaffi, this conversation explores how authors shape vivid fictional worlds that captivate readers and reflect real-world complexities. M. H. Ayinde, winner of the 2021 Future Worlds Prize, is the author of A Song of Legends Lost, the first in her epic fantasy trilogy published in spring 2025. Marve Anson, a 2023 Future Worlds Prize finalist, will publish her debut fantasy novel, Firstborn of the Sun, in October 2025. Together, they’ll share tips, insights, and behind-the-scenes stories of crafting immersive worlds and unforgettable adventures.

Why did our grandmothers stir turmeric into hot milk at bedtime? Why did they eat with their hands, or instinctively pair yoghurt with rice on a hot day? In this rich and reflective talk, culinary storyteller and author Radhika Howarth explores the intuitive food wisdom passed down through generations – and what it still has to teach us today. Drawing on her background in food and nutrition, Radhika brings gentle authority to the everyday knowledge once shared around family tables. From seasonal rhythms to the quiet remedies in our spice cupboards, she invites us to reconnect with a more instinctive, meaningful way of eating – one rooted in care, culture, and memory.

Sudan is facing one of the world’s most devastating — and least reported — crises. Since April 2023, brutal conflict between rival military factions has torn the country apart, displacing millions and unleashing a humanitarian catastrophe.  In this urgent and illuminating panel, we explore the roots of the conflict, the toll on civilians, and the silence surrounding Sudan’s collapse. What led to this war? Why has the international response been so limited? And what hope remains for peace, justice, and the future of a country on the edge?

What does freedom of expression mean in 2025? From hate speech and identity politics to digital censorship and protest bans, the boundaries of free speech are more contested than ever. This timely event explores the forces shaping public debate today: the line between speech and harm, the influence of tech platforms, and how power and privilege shape who gets heard.  Join our panel as they ask: Are our freedoms under threat? Who decides what can be said – and what must be silenced? And how do we safeguard free expression while building a fairer, more inclusive society?

Professor Paul Rogers returns to lead a panel of expert commentators in our annual current affairs event, offering a 360-degree view of the most urgent issues shaping the world in 2025. From ongoing conflict and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, to escalating tensions in the Red Sea and South China Sea, and the global impact of Trump’s return to office, this year’s conversation couldn’t be more timely. With instability rising and elections reshaping political landscapes worldwide, our panel brings clarity, insight and sharp analysis to the headlines — and what lies beneath them.

Islamophobia isn’t just a slur or a spike in hate crime — it’s a system. From counterterrorism policy and surveillance to media narratives and foreign wars, Muslims are routinely positioned as threats. This panel examines how Islamophobia is being mobilised today in the UK and across the globe. Who gains from it, and how is it being challenged? What does it take to confront it at its roots — not just in rhetoric, but in power structures?  In an age of rising nationalism and global instability, is Islamophobia shaping the policies that divide us — and what do we risk if we don’t confront it?

Shaykh Dr Ahmed Saad Al-Azhari joins us to launch Parables from the Qur’an, the much-anticipated follow-up to Contemplating the Qur’an. This talk offers a unique opportunity to delve into the thematic depth and metaphorical beauty of the Qur’an, drawing on classical scholarship and contemporary insight. While Contemplating the Qur’an provides a concise, accessible commentary across the thirty parts (juz’) of the Qur’an, Parables from the Qur’an explores its rich use of metaphor and allegory, uncovering timeless lessons through reflective analysis. Whether you’re a dedicated student or new to the Qur’an’s message, this session promises to deepen your understanding and connection to the divine word.

The war in Ukraine has reshaped Europe — and the ripple effects are still unfolding. With Russia on the offensive, the far right gaining ground, and Trump’s return to the global stage, Europe faces urgent questions about its identity, unity, and future. Will the continent stand firm as a force for democracy and stability, or splinter under pressure? What role can Europe play in a world increasingly shaped by nationalism and conflict? This timely event explores the power struggles, political shifts, and global forces that are redefining Europe — and asks who will shape what comes next.

What happens when myth and magic collide with history? In this spellbinding event, authors Shubnum Khan (The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years) and Genevieve Cogman (Damned) explore the power of fantasy to reshape the past and reimagine the present. From an ancient djinn stirring in a ruined South African mansion to a vampiric plot unravelling in revolutionary England, both writers use the supernatural to confront buried stories, collective memory, and untold grief. Join them for a rich conversation on folklore, fantasy, historical fiction — and why the past is never quite as distant as it seems.

Join historian and filmmaker Sam Dalrymple and Samia Rahman for an illuminating discussion on his debut book, Shattered Lands. Drawing from extensive archival research and multilingual oral histories, Dalrymple examines five pivotal partitions, including those of India, Burma, and Palestine, that dismantled the British Indian Empire and reshaped modern Asia. Through personal narratives and political analysis, he reveals how these divisions led to enduring conflicts, mass migrations, and the redrawing of borders. This event offers a compelling exploration of how historical partitions continue to influence contemporary geopolitics and identities across the region.

Across the West, far right movements are gaining ground — not just at the margins, but in the mainstream. From fiery rhetoric to policy influence, they’re reshaping the way we talk about identity, belonging, and power. What’s fuelling this rise, and why now?  Join us for a timely and urgent discussion as our experts explore the deeper forces at play — from economic anxiety and online radicalisation to political polarisation and cultural backlash.  In this discussion we consider what this could mean for the future of democracy, free speech and how can we respond before the tide turns further.