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Oxford Debates

Christopher French and Deborah Hyde Chaired by Stephen Law

Oxford Debate. Haunted: Investigating the Paranormal
Oxford Martin School: Lecture Theatre 6:00pm Tue 28 Tuesday, 28 March 2023 See this event
Gary Younge, Deborah Meaden, Kenan Malik and David Starkey Chaired by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown

Oxford Debate: You Ask the Questions
Sheldonian Theatre 2:00pm Wed 29 Wednesday, 29 March 2023 See this event
Juliet Davenport, Gary Younge and Madeleine Bunting Chaired by Stephen Law

Oxford Debate. Poverty and Inequality: The Cost-of-Living Crisis
Exeter College: Marquee 4:00pm Wed 29 Wednesday, 29 March 2023 See this event
Juliet Davenport, Rupert Read, Simon Sharpe and Gaia Vince Chaired by Stephen Law

Climate Breakdown: Habit, Fear, and Progress
Sheldonian Theatre 2:00pm Thu 30 Thursday, 30 March 2023 See this event
Justin Schlosberg, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and Iain Dale Chaired by Stephen Law

Oxford Debate. Is Our Press Free . . . To Lie and Manipulate? SOLD OUT
Oxford Martin School: Lecture Theatre 4:00pm Fri 31 Friday, 31 March 2023 See this event
Thomas Simpson, Alice Sherwood and Marina Purkiss Chaired by Stephen Law

Oxford Debate. Trust, Corruption, and Politicians
Randolph Hotel: Ballroom 4:00pm Sat 1 Saturday, 1 April 2023 See this event
Bleddyn Bowen and Lucas Kello Chaired by Stephen Law

Oxford Debate. The Future of War
Oxford Martin School: Lecture Theatre 6:00pm Sat 1 Saturday, 1 April 2023 See this event
Anne Katrin Schlag and Alex Stevens Chaired by Stephen Law

Oxford Debate. Drug Policy: Are Politicians Following the Evidence or Ignoring It?
Oxford Martin School: Lecture Theatre 2:00pm Sun 2 Sunday, 2 April 2023 See this event

Festival information:

I came away buzzing and reassured that we still have in this century a wide ranging community fascinated not just by famous authors (I’ve rarely seen so many concentrated in one place) but by challenging ideas and questions.

It was a privilege for me to visit the festival to receive the Bodley Medal. As an incidental blessing I saw Oxford at its most mysterious and atmospheric. It was a day of piercing cold and as I walked through the twilight from the Sheldonian to Christ Church, the streets were empty and the whole city was shutting itself away. Christ Church was silent except for the footfall of unseen persons around corners and the sounds of evensong creeping from behind closed doors. For the first time I understood thoroughly the power of college ghost stories.

A stimulating and rewarding on-stage conversation; a lively informed and tolerant audience; privileged access to the great treasures of the Bodleian, and finally, wonderfully interesting dinner companions to help me conclude the best day I have enjoyed at any festival – anywhere.

Often as an author, I only occasionally get to meet the public who buy and read my books. The Oxford Literary Festival was a special opportunity for me and certainly one of the highlights of my career – it was an honour I will never forget.

The Oxford Literary Festival is intellectual Viagra.

I loved the whole atmosphere of the Oxford Literary Festival. From breakfast, alongside some of the attendees, who were talking books with each other a mile a minute, to the public event at The Sheldonian where everyone was lively and engaged – I felt I had arrived in a kind of literary heaven.

The Oxford Literary Festival has in my mind become the leading literary festival of the year. The organisation, the roster of speakers, the ambience and the sheer quality of it all is superb. May it now go from strength to strength each year stretching its ambition more and more. I believe it will.