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festofdebate.bsky.social
Festival of Debate 2025
@festofdebate.bsky.social
300 followers 14 following 84 posts
Festival of Debate returns from 22 April – 30 May 2025.

The largest grassroots politics festival in the UK. A @weareopus.bsky.social project.

#FofD

👉 festivalofdebate.com
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festofdebate.bsky.social
Next Thursday, we're inviting the team behind Regen Melbourne – a community of more than 200 organisations committed to creating a thriving city living within our planetary boundaries – to Sheffield 🌏

Find out more at the link below, or grab a ticket ⬇

www.tickettailor.com/events/wordl...
A poster for a new event series called Sandbox. Over a beige background and an abstract image of a sandbox, it has the text "Sandbox. How cities collaborate for transformation. Sheffield x Melbourne. In conversation with Alison Whitten (Regen Melbourne) & Helen Sims (Voluntary Action Sheffield). Thu 20 Nov, 8–9:30pm, The Circle, Sheffield. Below this are the logos of Regen Melbourne, Sheffield City Goals and Opus
November 10, 2025 at 10:54 AM
festofdebate.bsky.social
📢 "Westminster didn't fix anything for us. We demanded the right to do more for ourselves."

Andy Burnham @mayorofgm.bsky.social‬ speaks on the power of devolution and the future of the North of England at Festival of Debate 2025, with ‪@metromayorsteve.bsky.social‬.
July 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
festofdebate.bsky.social
🌱 "There's a quiet nagging, an imperceptible whisper just out of earshot, calling us to witness our collective grief."

It was an honour to have award-winning environmental justice researcher and educator Joycelyn Longdon at the festival this year, to discuss her book Natural Connection.
June 10, 2025 at 11:35 AM
festofdebate.bsky.social
🚨 "What's being promised to us as a shiny new world of tomorrow is actually just recycling old forms of misogyny, and baking them into the building blocks of our future society."

Laura Bates speaks on AI and misogyny at Festival of Debate 2025.
June 5, 2025 at 3:54 PM
festofdebate.bsky.social
✨ Our 2025 programme is now over - thank you all so much for coming along and taking part for another year. It's such a source of hope to see people coming together to explore some of the most important issues we face. See you next year!

Photos by Adva Photography 📸
Shon Faye speaks into a microphone, smiling and gesturing towards the crowd. Behind her is a Festival of Debate banner. Joycelyn Longdon seated at a small table, holding a microphone and smiling. A crowd of people in the Leadmill. People are facing the stage, which is out of shot. In the foreground is a pile of colourful pens and chalk pastels, and at the centre is a piece of artwork depicting a woman with her hair in a ponytail. A large audience at the Octagon, under blue lighting.
June 3, 2025 at 10:01 AM
festofdebate.bsky.social
Yesterday at Soft Ground, we heard from Sheffield Community Land Trust about their plan to take our city back into common ownership, providing affordable housing and cultural spaces right in the city centre 🏘️

#Sheffield #CommunityLandTrust #FofD
A photo of about 20 people in a brightly lit room, watching someone standing at the front with a microphone delivering a presentation using a projector
May 29, 2025 at 8:17 AM
festofdebate.bsky.social
Sheffield’s Poverty Truth Commission has been meeting for over a year, listening to the stories of local people and their experiences of poverty.

"The system" is a theme that comes up time and time again. At our event on Thursday, we explored what it is and whether it works ⬇️
A photo of a big piece of paper on a table covered in writing and drawings, with pens and post-it notes on top of the table. Visible are the words "How do people get lost or stuck in systems?" and the word "DISCONNECTED" in a big starburst A photo of a long table with a long piece of paper on it, with people standing around it writing on it
May 23, 2025 at 9:36 AM
festofdebate.bsky.social
"In radical collectives we need to centre femme work, the legacy of mothers and aunties – the work of checking in, finding out how everyone feels, trying to understand how we might ourselves be being exclusionary"

Mijke van der Drift exploring their book 'Trans Femme Futures' on Wednesday evening 🏳️‍⚧️
A photo of a roomful of people watching two speakers in conversation sat on a stage
May 23, 2025 at 9:29 AM
festofdebate.bsky.social
"The idea that pausing and thinking and giving space for reflection is an elitist thing is very flawed. Those of us who don't work in research are still theorists and have stories to tell"

Joycelyn Longdon in conversation with @rtakver.bsky.social on Wednesday evening 🌱

#FofD
A photo of two people sitting on a stage in conversation in front of an audience. Behind them is a projection with the cover of Joycelyn Longdon's book 'Natural Connection' and the words "Festival of Debate presents Joycelyn Longdon: Natural Connection. In conversation with Rei Takver"
May 23, 2025 at 9:25 AM
festofdebate.bsky.social
Yesterday, we workshopped how policies like retrofit can unlock dozens of co-benefits that enhance and revitalise our communities.

Thanks to the Centre For @thrivingplaces.bsky.social 📍
A photo of a room full of about 30 people sat round four tables deep in discussion
May 23, 2025 at 8:10 AM
festofdebate.bsky.social
"We need to integrate logical, emotional, and moral aspects when interpreting and presenting evidence"

We're learning about 'Public Research for Public Good: Closing the Health Gap', with @felly500.bsky.social ⚖️

#FofD
A photo taken from the back of a crowded lecture theatre of a roomful of people watching four people facing them in-conversation with each other, with a presentation behind them showing a series of coloured pentagrams. Next to them is a Festival of Debate banner
May 20, 2025 at 5:01 PM
festofdebate.bsky.social
"We have huge disparities in living standards in the north. It feels like we're living in a different country. The north-south divide is no accident – it's national policy"

– @andyburnham.bsky.social speaking at our event with @metromayorsteve.bsky.social and @itsbethperry.bsky.social last night.
A photo of two men sitting in chairs onstage, being interviewed by a woman. Above them a screen says "Festival of Debate presents Head North: Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram"
May 20, 2025 at 4:01 PM
festofdebate.bsky.social
📸 Some snaps from some of our events so far! Photos by ADVA photography.

💕 Thank you to everyone who has attended our events, engaged in conversation, & challenged our speakers with your questions!

There's still loads more to come, so check out the rest of our programme here: loom.ly/IlK4lN4
A group of people sit in a circle at a round table in a well lit room, having a conversation and smiling. In the background are several more tables full of people who are having discussions. James Lock, Kate Raworth and Indy Johar seated around a small table having a conversation and addressing an audience which is out of shot. John Harris and Melissa Simmonds seated around a small table, having a conversation and smiling widely. Four speakers sit at a long table. The speakers are Manuchehr Maleki Dizaji, Maria Vasquez-Aguilar, Boucka Koffi and Emma Rattenbury. Manuchehr is speaking into a microphone and addressing the other panelists. Audience members can be seen in the foreground.
May 16, 2025 at 2:31 PM
festofdebate.bsky.social
On Wednesday, we hosted @compassoffice.bsky.social and Who Is Your Neighbour? to explore conversations that disrupt division and build democracy 💬

#FofD
A photo of a room full of around 30 people all sat around circular tables deep in discussion A photo of a woman holding a microphone delivering a presentation to a room full of people
May 16, 2025 at 11:34 AM
festofdebate.bsky.social
"Retrofit is an essential component of decarbonisation – and if done properly, offers huge opportunities to build community wealth"

Yesterday at the @thegreenestate.bsky.social, we learnt all about creating resilient places through the built and natural environment with SY Ecofit.

#FofD
A photo of a man giving a presentation on a screen, showing the layout of a housing development A photo taken from the back of a room full of about 20 people watching someone give a presentation A close-up photo of a slide in a presentation with information about retrofit on it A photo showing nine people walking along a path in an outdoor setting, surrounded by trees and greenery
May 16, 2025 at 11:15 AM
festofdebate.bsky.social
🌱 21 May - Join Joycelyn Longdon to explore her new book Natural Connection, which illuminates the wondrous awe of the natural world & celebrates the histories and extraordinary acts of marginalised people across the globe.

More info & tickets ➡️ loom.ly/CqxllcU
A graphic showing the book cover of Natural Connection by Joycelyn Longdon, overlaid on a photograph of trees surrounded by mist. The text reads: 21 May, Joycelyn Longdon, Natural Connection'. The Festival of Debate logo is in the bottom left corner.
May 15, 2025 at 3:50 PM
festofdebate.bsky.social
🔎 What's on this week at Festival of Debate!

This week we'll be diving into the topic of AI and misogyny with author Laura Bates, as well as co-hosting events with local orgs @riverdonproject.bsky.social, Gut Level and more!

🎟️ Grab your tickets now to attend: loom.ly/IlK4lN4
A blue digital graphic with the Festival of Debate logo at the top. The text reads: 'Coming up this week at Festival of Debate... Exploring Frontiers: A Rights of Nature Just Transition 13 May Dorothy Fleming Lecture Theatre All The People: An Inclusive Party 15 May The Leadmill Laura Bates: The New Age of Sexism 16 May Pennine Lecture Theatre A blue digital graphic in the same style, with the Festival of Debate logo at the top. The text reads: Your Voice, Your Vision: Co-Designing SHSC’s Future 17 May Showroom Workstation, Creative Lounge Why are some refugees erased? Chechen diaspora’s story 17 May City of Sanctuary FoD x Gut Level Club Night ft. Plantainchipps & Savanna Boys 17 May - 18 May Gut Level ...& more! View the full programme at festivalofdebate.com
May 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM
festofdebate.bsky.social
"Striving for 'perfection' is as fruitless as it is exhausting"

From our workshop this morning on 'Working Well: Avoid Burnout and Create Balance and Joy'.

#FofD
A photo of 17 people in a room sat in a big circle
May 10, 2025 at 2:39 PM
festofdebate.bsky.social
"The media have a role to play that perpetuates crises. When you put your TV on, the NGOs will have an advert that focuses on who needs food in a war zone, and not the political nature of [the conflict]"

– Boucka Koffi speaking at our @symaag.bsky.social event on 'Activism Across Borders'

#FofD
A photo taken from the back of the room of an audience watching a panel discussion in a room, with bookshelves visible behind the panel
May 6, 2025 at 8:19 PM
festofdebate.bsky.social
🔥 Loads more events coming up this week at Festival of Debate!

Still some tickets left to see bestselling author Shon Faye in conversation with Sophie K Rosa on Thursday, & events with partners including @symaag.bsky.social, @granthamcsf.bsky.social & more.

🎟️: loom.ly/IlK4lN4
A blue digital graphic with the Festival of Debate logo at the top. The text reads: 'Coming up this week at Festival of Debate... Activism Across Borders 6 May Victoria Hall - Lower Hall Eco -Friendly or Eco-Fraud? Let's talk about Greenwashing 8 May Online Shon Faye: Love in Exile 8 May The Leadmill" A blue digital graphic in the same style, with the Festival of Debate logo at the top. The text reads: "Assisted Dying - Panel Discussion 8 May Dorothy Fleming Lecture Theatre Framed: The Demonisation of Disability 8 May Online Offers & Asks: Sharing, abundance and community 10 May The Circle"
May 6, 2025 at 11:10 AM
festofdebate.bsky.social
🔥 15 May - All the People

Join us at @theleadmill.bsky.social for an inclusive party that brings together artists with and without disabilities, featuring SHRUB, The Stars Band (Under The Stars), Sparkle Sistaz (Under The Stars) & Electric Fire (Heart n Soul).

🎟️: loom.ly/P6FFGtU
A group of four bandmates stand together in an autumnal forest. Superimposed over the image is the text: 15 May, All the People, An Inclusive Party.
May 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
festofdebate.bsky.social
"The kind of people in this book have not been written about. These are amazing people who have changed Britain"

@lanre-bakare.bsky.social in conversation with @desireereynolds.bsky.social about 'We Were There', his book telling the story of Black Britain beyond the capital.

#FofD #Sheffield
A photo of a Black man and a Black man sitting onstage at a book event, in conversation into a microphone in front of the words "Lanre Bakare: We Were There"
May 1, 2025 at 8:01 PM
festofdebate.bsky.social
'What if Heart of the City was Replicated in Castlegate?' 🏗️

We spent an inspiring day yesterday with Sheffield Civic Trust and the Sheffield Society of Architects, imagining what a thriving future for Castlegate might look like.

#FofD #Sheffield #Castlegate
A photo taken from the back of a room full of people watching a presentation on a screen A close-up photo of three people sitting around a table drawing on a map of a city A photo of about a dozen people sat round a table listening to one person speak into a microphone A photo of a paper map of an area of a city, covered in annotations pointing out venues, bars, shops and areas for future development
May 1, 2025 at 8:24 AM
festofdebate.bsky.social
"Sheffield's collections came from around the world, some dating back 150 years ago this year. There is an active conversation about should they, shouldn’t they, return objects"

We're at @sheffieldmuseums.bsky.social asking: should museums return objects? 🖼️

#FofD #Sheffield
A photo of dozens of people in the atrium of a brightly decorated museum, discussing in small groups around round tables
April 30, 2025 at 6:04 PM
festofdebate.bsky.social
"There are huge chunks of our economy that are destructive and totally unnecessary for human wellbeing, and should be scaled down"

@jasonhickel.bsky.social is outlining the need for degrowth in the most damaging sectors of our economy.

#FofD
A photo from the back of a full lecture theatre showing two people onstage sitting down in conversation with each other
April 29, 2025 at 7:08 PM