The Conversation

Made a New Year’s resolution to learn something new? The Conversation is a fascinating series of weekly conversations exploring the biggest topics of the day from global conflict to the climate crisis with Britain’s leading thinkers, scientists, philosophers, historians and writers.

Running from 27th January to 28th April 2026, The Conversation 2026 will tackle topics including gay rights with legendary gay author Armistead Maupin, the role of AI and state power with journalist Carole Cadwalladr, climate change and the state of the nation with novelist Ian McEwan, invisible women in history with Hallie Rubenhold, faith, religion and what it means to be human with Kate Bowler, race and social justice in the USA and UK with Gary Younge, the battle for modern America with historian Sarah Churchwell, decoding the science of gut health with world-renowned immunologist Daniel M. Davis and fighting for the environment with “Birdgirl” Mya-Rose Craig.

The first half of the evening is an hour-long interview with a leading thinker, followed by a second hour where the guest speaker joins the audience for an intimate Q&A followed by the opportunity to get the speaker’s book signed.

27 January – Ian McEwan
3 February – Gary Younge
10 February – Armistead Maupin
24 February – Sarah Churchwell
24 March – Hallie Rubenhold
7 April – Daniel M. Davis
21 April – Mya-Rose Craig
28 April – Kate Bowler

The Conversation is programmed by Hay Festival founder Peter Florence and takes place at St Martin-in-the-Fields on Tuesday nights. Uniquely for an event of this kind, The Conversation invites members of the audience to carry on the conversation and engage directly with the speaker following each event.

Tickets are £15.00. Each event will be live-streamed and can be watched online for £10.00, available from the St Martin-in-the-Fields website.