Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Nigel Biggar and Matthew Goodwin chaired by Gary Francione

Journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, moral philosopher and theologian Professor Nigel Biggar and political commentator and researcher on populism Matthew Goodwin debate one of the most divisive issues of our time, the nature of wokeness and free speech inside and outside universities.

Universities are increasingly criticised for their stance on free speech, social justice, and, in particular, ‘wokeness’. What is woke? Is it intolerance and a threat to free expression, or is it a necessary step in the journey toward social justice?  Who make up the ‘woke mob’, and what motivates them? How do we navigate these issues without compromising core values of academic inquiry?

Alibhai-Brown is a journalist and author who has written extensively on issues of diversity and social justice. Her books include In Defence of Political Correctness, Refusing the Veil and Exotic England: The Making of a Curious Nation.

Biggar is a British Anglican priest and theologian and formerly professor of moral and pastoral theology at the University of Oxford. He also chairs the board of trustees of the Free Speech Union. He has authored multiple books, his most recent being Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning.

Goodwin is a political commentator and speaker, known for his research on populism. He was previously a professor of politics and international relations at the University of Kent and has authored multiple best-selling books. His most recent is Bad Education: Why Our Universities Are Broken and How We Can Fix Them.

Discussions are chaired by Professor Gary Francione, a world-leading authority on animal rights. He is a professor of law and professor of philosophy and was the first academic to teach animal rights theory in an American law school. His books include Why Veganism Matters.