The Conversation looks to answer the biggest questions of the day from social justice to the climate crisis and from what it means to be human to our role in society, aiming to challenge assumptions and narratives outside of the mainstream political news agenda. The Conversation brings together audiences to engage with ideas and opinions from across the academic, political and cultural spectrum, with the world’s leading thinkers, historians, environmentalists, scientists and authors.
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.
Challenging the narrative around some of the biggest political, social, and environmental challenges of our time, The Conversation will explore the themes of social injustice, culture, gender, inequality, power and the climate crisis. 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.
The Conversation is programmed by Hay Festival founder Peter Florence and takes place at St Martin-in-the-Fields on Tuesday nights with tickets from £10. 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. The talks are also available to be live streamed and watched from anywhere in the world.
Full information on The Conversation is available here: stmartin-in-the-fields.org/the-conversation/
Peter Florence Director of The Conversation has said: “Each of these writers sets you off on adventures of imagination and action. Themes and experiences resonate through the season – of wonder as well as of deep crisis. And I love the idea of extending the familiar interview format into a wider conversation. It’s wonderful to see what happens when the audience takes up the thoughts and storylines. Trust the room.”
Revd Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields since 2012 has said: “St Martin in the Fields has always been a beacon of social justice campaigning and action. We hope The Conversation will continue and extend that tradition of questioning and challenging assumptions and narratives, and will celebrate all our many, welcome visitors.”
Ticket Info
Location: St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ.
Dates: 27th January – 28th April
Time: Tuesdays from 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Price: £15 for in person tickets. £10 for online tickets
Ticket Link: https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/the-conversation/
Box Office: 020 7766 1100 BoxOffice@smitf.org