RSA Events
Society & Culture
About
World-changing ideas. For free. For everyone.Featuring the world’s most exciting public thinkers, innovators and changemakers, RSA talks bring people and ideas together to shape a better future for all.
Episodes
- The social impact of AI
This RSA Events discussion, featuring Patricia Clarke, Dr Thomas Pollak, and Katie Freeman-Tayler, addresses the social and psychological effects of AI chatbots like ChatGPT. The conversation focuses on emerging mental health concerns, the…
- The future skills agenda of the creative industries
This event discusses a new study on skills provision across UK creative industries like museums, music, and performing arts. Speakers analyze the findings and their impact on future creative education and workforce planning.
- Inside the life of Elizabeth II
Royal biographer Robert Hardman discusses the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, drawing on his book and insights into her connection with the Royal Society of Arts.
- The Observer: The News Meeting Live
The News Meeting Live, a recording of The Observer podcast, demonstrates how news agendas are formed in editorial conferences. Editors Jessica Hayden, Jeevan Vasagar, and Andrew Rawnsley debate story priorities with Deputy Editor-in-Chief…
- Behind the Curtain
Sir Alex Beard, Chief Executive of the Royal Ballet and Opera, shares insights on leading the institution through significant challenges including Brexit, the pandemic, and economic changes over the past 13 years.
- 40 years on: Chornobyl’s legacy and European environmental security
A panel discusses the 40-year legacy of the Chornobyl disaster, examining its impact on Ukraine and broader European environmental security, policy, cross-border cooperation, and resilience. Speakers include Serhii Plokhy, Eglė Rindzevičiū…
- Can art save us?
This episode discusses the human impulse for creativity and its role in understanding the world, particularly in an age where art faces devaluation. Philanthropist John Studzinski shares insights on supporting artists and the impact of cre…
- Prue Leith: the joy (and reality) of getting older
Prue Leith discusses her book "Being Old" with Felicity Cloake, sharing candid insights into the highs, lows, and unexpected freedoms of ageing. The conversation covers changing priorities, loss, laughter, and why ageing should be celebrat…
- Make a stand with The Circle
RSA Events and The Circle are hosting an event on March 4th to discuss protecting women and girls and driving change. The discussion will feature Ziauddin Yousafzai, Raakhi Shah, and Delphine Uwamahoro, hosted by Nuala McGovern.
- Disinformation and democracy
This RSA Events discussion addresses the impact of AI-generated disinformation, deepfakes, and propaganda on democratic societies. Eliot Higgins and Carole Cadwalladr explore how these falsehoods erode public trust and the capacity for col…
- The Observer on AI
The Observer’s Global AI Index, in its sixth year, ranks 93 countries on AI investment, implementation, and innovation. Data scientists from The Observer discuss the latest findings and trends, followed by a conversation led by editor-in-c…
- The future of the BBC
Leading voices in journalism discuss the potential future of the BBC, examining challenges like impartiality, political influence, and evolving consumption habits.
- Minds in the making: humans, AI and the future of thought
Cognitive scientist Gaurav Suri explains how human and artificial intelligence develop from neural activity. The discussion covers the science behind intelligence, attention, and learning.
- RDI Address 2025
Johanna Gibbons RDI, a Landscape Architect and founding partner of J&L Gibbons, delivers the 2025 RDI address. Her work integrates ecology, urban planning, conservation, and social needs, addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. Th…
- The Creative Freelancer’s Experience
The RSA Events podcast discusses findings from the Creative PEC "State of the Nations" report concerning the workforce in arts, culture, and heritage. The episode explores how to better support creative freelancers, with input from industr…
- From skills to growth
The Digital Badging Commission, a collaboration between Ufi VocTech Trust and the RSA, has released recommendations for digital badges and credentials to improve the UK's skills system. The report outlines a roadmap to make skills more vis…
- Breaking the cycle
This episode discusses the increasing number of 16-24 year olds in the UK classified as NEET, the economic and social implications, and the complex factors contributing to this trend. A panel explores root causes and collaborative solution…
- SDGs and beyond
The RSA Events podcast episode on "SDGs and beyond" covers the approaching 2030 deadline for Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on the UK
- The myth of connection
This RSA Events panel explores the paradox of digital connection and loneliness. Experts discuss technology's role in forming meaningful relationships versus online networking, with perspectives from journalism, app development, and tech p…
- RSA Spark Showcase
The RSA Spark Showcase, running from September 24 to October 23 in London, presents innovative solutions for community spaces, social connection, and wellbeing developed by the next generation of creatives and designers in response to RSA…
- The East Midlands’ future starts here
This episode discusses the East Midlands Inclusive Growth Commission
- The future of sustainability
RSA Events explores the urgent need for systemic change beyond basic sustainability towards regeneration. The episode highlights innovators addressing climate change, inequality, and environmental degradation, aiming for a flourishing futu…
- Gender equity and justice
This RSA Events episode discusses gender equity and justice, referencing the UK's history in advancing women's rights and ongoing challenges to empowerment. It features speakers addressing the protection and advancement of women and girls'…
- Listening and disagreeing productively
Journalist Emily Kasriel and behavioural scientist Paul Dolan explore the power of deep listening and belief systems in fostering productive disagreement and communication in a polarized world.
- Roots of trust
Rachel Botsman, a trust expert and artist, explores how design thinking and visual storytelling can reshape leadership, power, and trust systems, drawing parallels from the 1855 organizational chart to contemporary trust structures in her…
- Justice under siege: Ukraine, war crimes, and the fight for dignity
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk and journalist Gillian Tett discuss the war in Ukraine, focusing on war crimes, impunity, cultural erasure, child abduction, and torture. Matviichuk shares insights on documenting atrocities…
- How to thrive in uncertain times
At an RSA event, Margaret Heffernan and other cultural figures discuss how to thrive amidst global instability and the contradictions of modern systems. The conversation challenges the illusion of control, explores the potential downsides…
- Come build the future
RSA Events celebrated the UK Pavilion opening at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, bringing together innovators from the UK and Japan. The discussion focused on creative projects and partnerships shaping a brighter future for people, places, and th…
- How a fairer world could save the planet
Tony Juniper and Mya-Rose Craig discuss the link between equity and the environment. Juniper, an environmentalist, emphasizes fairness in resource distribution and climate justice for ecological progress. Craig highlights the importance of…
- Patron’s Lecture: why social capital matters
Robert D. Putnam speaks on the role of social connections in addressing social isolation, political polarization, and economic inequality. He is joined by RSA CEO Andy Haldane and partners from the Revealing Social Capital research program…
- Accelerating action: leading the change
This RSA Events episode discusses bold actions needed for gender equity, focusing on women's leadership in systemic change. It features insights from I. Stephanie Boyce, Sophia Smith Galer, and Rachel Williams on driving progress in educat…
- How business lost our trust
Economist John Kay discusses the decline of public trust in corporations, driven by issues like executive pay gaps and scandals. He examines how the focus on shareholder value has impacted companies and suggests changes needed to restore t…
- Russia’s war in a global perspective
Dmytro Kuleba, former Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and BBC journalist Clive Myrie discuss the far-reaching consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine and global challenges to the democratic order. Kuleba shares insights from his dip…
- Do we really value care?
David Goodhart and Vicky Pryce discuss the challenges of social care, its undervaluation, and the disproportionate burden on women. They explore policy solutions for gender equality and meeting rising care needs.
- CEO Lecture: counting the cost of bowling alone
Andy Haldane
- How optimists change the world
Sumit Paul-Choudhury argues that optimism is both the natural and essential state of humanity, crucial for survival and for addressing collective challenges. The episode explores the benefits of optimism in everyday life and its critical r…
- The cost of workplace ageism
This RSA event, in collaboration with the OECD, discusses the cost of workplace ageism in the UK. It launches a report on career mobility for older workers and features experts debating how addressing ageism could boost the UK economy by £…
- Unlocking civic voice
This RSA Events episode features a panel discussing community-led projects and civic empowerment. Insights cover strategies for resident involvement in community development and grassroots advocacy for sustainable and inclusive development…
- RDI Address 2024
The RDI Address 2024 features Tom Stuart-Smith discussing his design approach that connects people with place through a focus on ecological diversity and emotional depth. The episode also introduces new Royal Designers for Industry and hig…
- Women in industry and innovation
This episode explores the life and legacy of Dame Caroline Haslett, a trailblazer for women in innovation and industry. It covers her work as a suffragette, her role in founding the Electrical Association for Women, and her advocacy for wo…
- Good nature
Professor Kathy Willis discusses how direct interaction with nature can improve physical health. Learn how specific elements like cedar, pine scent, and plants can benefit immunity, heart rate, and gut health, offering actionable strategie…
- Creative Corridors Launch Event - Connecting Clusters to Unleash Potential
The RSA Events podcast features the launch of the Creative Corridors policy framework, discussing evidence and actions for local leaders to foster creative clusters and place-based prosperity. The event included speakers from Arts Council…
- Black History Month: celebrating innovators
This RSA Events episode focuses on innovators driving social change through African culture, highlighting their influence on global conversations and how to foster connections between cultural institutions and changemakers.
- History for tomorrow
Roman Krznaric, in a talk from RSA Events, explores how understanding history, from the origins of capitalism to 18th-century Japan and Georgian coffee houses, offers lessons to tackle contemporary challenges like inequality, democracy, an…
- State of creative education
This episode discusses the Creative PEC’s new State of the Nations report, analyzing the decline in creative further education across the UK. Industry guests and the Work Advance research team explore the implications for the future of cre…
- Henry Cole and the spirit of innovation
This episode features historians Sir Christopher Frayling, Anton Howes, Dan Cruickshank, and Alice MacDonnell, Sir Henry Cole’s 4x great granddaughter, discussing Cole's legacy. They explore his energy, ingenuity, and commitment to public…
- Music for Impact: London Climate Action Week
RSA Events partners with artist AY Young for London Climate Action Week, focusing on how music and culture can advance sustainable development goals. The episode features conversations with artists like Alex Hepburn and Jarvis Smith about…
- Building bridges: London Climate Action Week
This episode covers a London Climate Action Week event focused on the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Leading figures from culture, industry, and civil society shared insights on enhancing cross-sector collaboration…
- Designing for and from the future: the 100th RSA Student Design Awards
The 100th RSA Student Design Awards marks a century of the program. The event celebrated past innovators and outlined plans to reimagine the awards for future collaboration, focusing on learning, connection, and funding opportunities for s…
- What AI means for education
Salman Khan of Khan Academy discusses the transformative potential of AI and GPT in education, advocating for adaptation rather than fear. He outlines how AI can enhance human interaction, personalize learning, and support student success…