Rsa Events

What bold actions are needed to realise true gender equity?This International Women’s Day, the RSA invites you to a powerful event focused on advancing women’s leadership and action for systemic change. Featuring an incredible panel of women including I. Stephanie Boyce, the trailblazing first Black and first person of colour President of the Law Society of England and Wales, journalist Sophia Smith Galer, and Women in Sport policy and public affairs manager Rachel Williams, we’ll explore the transformative power of women’s leadership in addressing society’s most urgent challenges.Grounded in the RSA’s mission to unite people and ideas to create social change, this event will delve into how we can drive progress across education, work, and institutions to create more inclusive and equitable systems.Together, we’ll discuss actionable solutions for accelerating progress—from empowering women in underrepresented fields to redefining leadership and building networks that amplify impact. Celebrating women’s resili

From big tech scandals to soaring executive pay gaps, public trust in major corporations is at an all-time low. Despite life-changing innovations like vaccines and digital tools, we increasingly “love the product but hate the producer”.Renowned economist John Kay visits the RSA to deliver a bold critique of modern business. He’ll unpack how the relentless pursuit of shareholder value has gutted some of the 20th century’s most iconic companies and left the 21st-century corporation facing a reckoning.What must change to restore trust in and purpose to the businesses we rely on?Chair:Andy Haldane, RSA CEOSpeaker:John Kay, economist and authorBecome an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueembFollow RSA Events on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/Follow the RSA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theRSAorgDonate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3XPiI1kLike RSA Events on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYUJoin our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.

An evening with the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, and BBC journalist Clive Myrie.On the eve of the third anniversary of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (2020–2024) and Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School, reflects on the war’s far-reaching consequences with renowned BBC journalist Clive Myrie.The youngest foreign affairs minister in Ukraine’s history, Dmytro Kuleba led his country’s foreign service through its most challenging times. He was instrumental in forging international alliances, securing military aid for Ukraine, ensuring the imposition of sanctions on Russia, advancing his country’s EU and NATO prospects, and strengthening ties with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Drawing on his experiences as a diplomat and international statesman, Dmytro Kuleba will offer unique insights into current challenges to the democratic order globally, the stakes for t

The provision of care for dependents young and old is one of the great challenges of the modern age.The last 60 years have seen significant shifts in family and working lives with greater choice and autonomy bringing great gains for human freedom.Yet many private and public challenges and dilemmas remain. The social care system faces ever-rising demands and pressures. The vital skilled work of care – for the young, the elderly, the sick – remains undervalued and under-invested in. And women remain over-represented in the domain of care, in both the domestic realm and in the public economy.Amidst challenging demographics, declining birth-rates, and the evolving dynamics of modern family life, can we achieve a policy settlement that respects gender equality, meets the rising social need for care and attention, and properly rewards and recognises those who provide it? How do we provide greater support to the networks of relationships that care relies upon?Join David Goodhart and Vicky Pryce at the RSA to debate

In his annual RSA Chief Executive's Lecture, Andy Haldane examines the profound socio-economic consequences of eroding social capital, a theme famously explored by Harvard political scientist Bob Putnam in Bowling Alone. While macroeconomic advancements helped address past crises like the Great Depression, today’s challenge lies in confronting the "Great Division”, the deepening fractures within and between societies. Despite unparalleled global connectivity, communities are fragmenting, leading to slowed economic growth, reduced social mobility, rising loneliness, and declining trust in institutions. Highlighting the critical role of social capital in fostering growth, health, and governance, Andy calls for a transformative shift in policy aiming to address the root causes of contemporary social and economic divides.SpeakerAndy Haldane, RSA CEOChairJulia George, JournalistBecome an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA Events on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Follow the RSA o

Optimism is central to the human psyche: it seems to give us an advantage in both everyday life and in addressing great collective challenges.Sumit Paul-Choudhury, former editor-in-chief of New Scientist, visits the RSA to make a vital and transformative new argument: that optimism is not only the natural state of humanity, but an essential one.Sumit argues that without optimism we would never have survived the unpredictable - and often hostile - world we evolved into. Yet optimism is not just reserved for times of extremity. Its benefits manifest throughout our everyday lives: our relationships, careers, bodies, and minds. And it will play a critical role in overcoming the toughest challenges of the twenty-first century.Kick-start your New Year with a powerfully motivating manifesto for hope and a much-needed new perspective on our individual and societal prospects. By embracing action, imagination, and possibility, we can find a path to the bright side, even - perhaps especially - when the future seems dark

Current research reveals that workers over 50 are being rejected from key roles across the country, with discrimination and bias from employers and recruiters often endemic. Over 1 million people aged 50+ across the UK want to work but are unemployed.This RSA event is in collaboration with the OECD to launch their new report, Promoting Better Career Mobility for Longer Working Lives in the United Kingdom. The report highlights the key challenges faced by older workers in the UK labour market and outlines essential public and employer policies that can facilitate career mobility at older ages.After a presentation on the report, our experts will convene to discuss the true cost of workplace ageism. The panel will feature Shruti Singh, Senior Economist, OECD; Simon Fanshawe OBE, Co-founder, Diversity by Design; Mike Mansfield, CEO, ProAge; Roisin Mackenzie, Chief People Officer, Saga; and Lucy Standing, Co-founder, Brave Starts - and will explore how addressing ageism in the workplace could boost the UK’s econom

Join us in the Great Room at RSA House, where our expert panel will share insights and experiences from their work on impactful, community-led projects. Discover how these initiatives have empowered citizens to speak up for their communities and shape their shared future.The panel will explore key aspects of our Prosperous Places framework, including civic voice which provides strategies to empower residents to take an active role in developing their communities, and grassroots advocacy which equips individuals with the tools to become effective advocates for sustainable and inclusive development.The event is in collaboration with Dash Arts and will feature their Artistic Director and Chief Executive Josephine Burton, Alan Finlayson (Professor of Political & Social Theory, University of East Anglia), Alecky Blythe (Playwright), and and Dawid Konotey-Ahulu (co-founder of Redington, Mallowstreet, and 10,000 Interns).Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA Events on Instagram: https:/

Tom Stuart-Smith’s work forges connections between people and place. Bringing an analytical design approach together with a detailed understanding of the nature of a place, Tom’s practice is underpinned by a strong sustainability ethic. Seeking to increase the ecological diversity and richness of any landscape in which he works, his aim is to create multi-layered new spaces of emotional depth and imaginative possibility.Sue Stuart-Smith is a prominent psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and author. Her book 'The Well Gardened Mind' explores the power of gardening to answer deep human needs and change lives.Tom and Sue have recently founded The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity and Health - a not-for-profit initiative aiming to foster community inclusion through gardening and other forms of creativity, based on the understanding that working with nature can radically transform people’s health and wellbeing. Prior the address, three new Royal Designers for Industry (RDI) and four new Honorary Royal Design

Join our expert panel at RSA House and online to explore the extraordinary life of Dame Caroline Haslett and her inspirational legacy trailblazing a path for women in innovation and industry.  A suffragette and women’s equality campaigner, Dame Caroline Haslett championed the role of women in mainstream employment and their release from domestic drudgery through education, training, and the application of new technologies.   A woman of many pioneering firsts, Dame Caroline was the founder and first director of the Electrical Association for Women in 1924. She was also a member of the Central Electricity Authority, formed to run the industry under national ownership. From 1941-1957, she served as the first female member of the RSA Council and as Vice-President.In 1941, she delivered a paper to the RSA entitled 'Women in Industry', addressing the increasing contribution of women in national industrial life, and appealing for a revision of social attitudes and the removal of obstacles to women in employment."I s

Join us at the RSA and discover groundbreaking insights on how direct interactions with nature - seeing, smelling, and touching - can dramatically improve physical health. Learn how cedar boosts your immune system, pine scent calms your heart rate, and even a simple spider plant can enhance your gut health.Professor Kathy Willis, a leading expert in biodiversity and former Director of Science at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew, will guide you through these discoveries. Kathy’s insights show us how to integrate nature into our daily lives for better health. Whether you live in the city or the countryside, you’ll leave equipped with actionable strategies to harness nature’s power to transform your health and well-being.Chair: Catherine Pineo is our Head of Regenerative Learning and Design at RSASpeaker: Kathy Willis is Professor of Biodiversity in the Department of Biology, Principal of St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford, and author of Good Nature.#RSAnatureBecome an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueem

The RSA and the Creative PEC and Arts Council England are delighted to launch our work into the concept of Creative Corridors: Connecting Clusters to Unleash Prosperity that sets out the emerging evidence base and suggests initial steps for local leaders.This is the live stream of the event launching a policy framework for action, setting out the underlying case for creative corridors, exploring the opportunities and barriers for growth and laying out the practical actions stemming from this to realise place-based prosperity. You will hear from the CEOs from Arts Council England, Creative PEC and the RSA, along with a fantastic panel including Shanaz Gulzar, Tom Adeyoola & Tracy Brabin. There will be a presentation of the report content followed by a wide-ranging panel discussion on Creative Corridors key themes. READ THE REPORT NOW: https://www.thersa.org/reports/creati... #CreativeCorridorsBecome an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA Events on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ther

The RSA and the Africa Centre are teaming up to spotlight innovators driving social change through their cultural contributions. At the RSA in Black History Month, we’ll explore how these emerging leaders are influencing global conversations and challenging traditional narratives, paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic cultural landscape. We will discuss how to amplify the impact of African culture on the global stage and consider ways we can foster deeper connections between cultural institutions and the changemakers leading this transformation. Join us for an inspiring conversation that celebrates the power of African culture to create lasting social change. #BlackHistoryMonth Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA Events on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Follow the RSA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theRSAorg Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3XPiI1k Like RSA Events on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https:/

Watch back a transformative talk with influential social philosopher Roman Krznaric.In a world fixated on the present, we often overlook the invaluable lessons of the past. Roman will explore how insights from the last thousand years can help tackle today's urgent global challenges - bridging the inequality gap, reviving democracy, and preventing ecological collapse.Discover how understanding the origins of capitalism can inform AI regulation, what 18th-century Japan can teach us about creating regenerative economies, and how the coffee houses of Georgian London can help tame social media. Roman will show that history isn't just about the past - it's a tool for reimagining our future.Gain a vision of radical hope and practical solutions for the decades ahead.Speaker: Roman Krznaric, social philosopher and author of 'History for Tomorrow: Inspiration from the Past for the Future of Humanity'Chair: Dr Joanna Choukeir, Director of Design & Innovation, RSA#RSAHistoryBecome an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.g

Join us for the launch of the Creative PEC’s new State of the Nations report, which for the first time analyses the state of Creative Further Education across all four UK nations.The new research delves into the dramatic and sustained decline in participation in creative further education across all four UK nations. Using the latest data, our industry guests will dissect the implications for the future of the creative industries at this critical juncture with the research team from Work Advance. With a new cabinet forming and the King’s Speech setting out the government’s priorities taking place, the timing couldn’t be more important for reimagining what a new era of creative FE might look like, and what it could mean for the future of the UK’s creative economy.Chair Lilli Geissendorfer, Deputy Director Creative PEC, will be joined by an expert panel to explore the report’s key findings, and to discuss the wider situation and outlook for creative further education in the UK – an essential conversation for all

What we can learn from Sir Henry Cole - his energy, ingenuity, convening power and commitment to the public good - to inspire and encourage us to be bigger and bolder in our social change ambitions today?Sir Henry Cole’s list of achievements is long and varied — the first director of the V&A, he helped establish the Great Exhibition of 1851, reformed the postal service, introduced Christmas cards and was hugely influential at the then Society of Arts during Prince Albert’s tenure as President. It was said of him that, “his enterprise, energy and perseverance stimulated its proceedings and supplied much of the driving force that gave the Society a new importance in the land”.Join us on 15th July - Sir Henry Cole’s birthday - to celebrate his extraordinary life and times in conversation with historians Sir Christopher Frayling, Anton Howes and Dan Cruickshank, alongside Alice MacDonnell, Cole’s 4 x great granddaughter and present-day steward of his remarkable legacy and contribution to British innovation, d

The worlds of music, culture and art have a massive role to play in making progress on sustainable development goals. But how do young people starting out in the industry navigate a path that connects their creative talent to their social change mission?This London Climate Action Week, the RSA are partnering with singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and UN SDG Youth Leader AY Young for a day of conversations focused on how artists can mobilise audiences and communities to champion sustainability, securing a healthier, kinder future for people, places and planet.On the 26th June, all are welcome to RSA House for an “AMA” session with AY on sustainability and artistry in the music business. AY will talk about his career as a producer and performer supporting acts from Wyclef Jean to Wiz Khalifa, to creating the ground-breaking renewably powered Battery Tour, as well as being joined by artists and musicians who are pursuing sustainable pathways through the industry.Speakers will include singer songwriter Alex Hepbur

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) sit at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and planet, now and in the future. The goals are an urgent call for action by all countries in global, cross-sectoral partnership. They recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.At this event, leading figures from culture, industry and civil society will gather to share insights into how we more effectively foster the cross-sector collaboration that will be essential to accelerating our collective journey to achieving the goals.This event is an unmissable invitation to unite, innovate, and propel the global sustainability agenda forward.Join us and be part of the conversation.In collaboration with Project 17, BNP Paribas and L

This year marks a significant milestone, as the RSA celebrates 100 years since the inception of the Student Design Awards in 1924 and recognises the innovators from the final round of this iconic programme. On the night, we will also share more about how we have reimagined our awards for the next 100 years, to create greater collaboration around real-world missions, with a focus on learning, connection and funding opportunities for pupils, students, and entrepreneurs.Our 2024 keynote address will be delivered by Andrew Grant RDI. Andrew brings extraordinary experience and perspective as an internationally acclaimed and award-winning landscape architect whose work explores the connection between people and nature. He uses creative ecological design thinking to find solutions to the major challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and improving human quality of life, health and wellbeing. Each of his projects responds to the place, its inherent ecology and its people, and engages the wider community in the

In Brave New Words, Salman Khan, the visionary behind Khan Academy, explores how artificial intelligence and GPT technology will transform learning, and offers a roadmap for teachers, parents, and students to navigate this exciting - and sometimes intimidating - new world.A pioneering education technologist, Khan is uniquely well-placed to foresee and assess how these new tools will change the way we learn and teach. Rather than approaching the ChatGPT revolution with fear and anxiety, however, Khan urges parents and teachers to embrace AI and adapt to it - while acknowledging its imperfections and limitations. He emphasises that introducing AI in education is not about replacing human interaction but enhancing it so that every student can complement the work they're already doing in profoundly new and creative ways, to personalise learning, adapt assessments, and support growth and success.Join Salman Khan at the RSA to explore what this new technology means for our society, its implications for both the cla