Battle of Ideas satellite events
Battle for Progress
Saturday 28 June 2008, 18.15-19.15, 'The Lift', Southbank Centre Square, London SE1
What does 'progress' mean in the 21st century?
The Battle for Progress is part of the London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT). For more details, visit the Battle of Ideas website.
Battle for China
Saturday 12 July 2008, 10.00-18.00, Norton Rose, 3 More London Riverside, London SE1 2AQ
Is fast-growing China a threat to global peace? Should we celebrate or fear China's unprecedented growth?
The Battle for China is a one day satellite conference of the Battle of Ideas festival and is part of the CHINA NOW festival. The conference will include opening and closing plenary sessions, workshops and head-to-head debates.
For more details, visit the Battle of Ideas website. Tickets now available to buy here.
Who gives a folk?
Tuesday 29 July 2008, 19.00-22.00, Vibe Bar, London E1
At the start of the 20th century progressive enthusiasts propagated the idea that folk music could reconnect ‘the people’ with their past, and with each other, and inspire a collective outlook. In the very different political context of the 21st century, is folk music fulfilling its potential, or is it just another brand?
For more details, visit the Battle of Ideas website.
In association with the Battle of Ideas
After McDonaldisation: Visions of Higher Education
Friday 13 June 2008, 10.15-18.00, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford
The ‘McDonaldization’ of higher education is a reality. This conference will bring together many well-known writers and academics to address a challenge set by George Ritzer: can we ‘re-enchant’ higher education?
Download the flyer for more details.
Institute of Ideas in association with 
WHAT IS SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR?.
In a provocative essay David Perks, head of physics at a London state secondary school, argues that attempts to make school science more popular by making it more ‘relevant’ are giving today’s students a watered-down science education that will not produce the scientists we need.
New from Imprint Academic
A collection of essays by contributors to the 2005 Battle of Ideas.
- National sixth form debating competition
- Debating Matters
- Ongoing
- The Institute of Ideas is pioneering a fresh and engaging format for debate that is injecting new life into schools debating. Working in collaboration with teachers and schools, the Institute of Ideas and Pfizer Debating Matters Competition challenges and encourages young people to actively engage with contemporary debates, to research issues thoroughly, to learn to communicate effectively and to argue for what they think.
