The Festival of Politics

Reflecting on 30 years since the last reorganisation, this panel explores if Scotland’s local government structure is fit for the future, considering historical lessons, innovative ideas, and power-sharing models.

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

Will a fragile peace plan between Israel and Gaza stick? What of the humanitarian crisis that is estimated to have displaced 1.9 million Palestinians? What is the role of the international community?  

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

President Trump is back, with his radical “America first” agenda. From immigration and healthcare at home, to global implications of trade tariffs, where does Scotland and the UK stand on our transatlantic partner?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

President Trump is back, with his radical “America first” agenda. From immigration and healthcare at home, to global implications of trade tariffs, where does Scotland and the UK stand on our transatlantic partner?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

Discover how cutting-edge innovations in preventive health are shaping our future. Join this lively discussion on technology, policy, and community-driven health solutions.

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

Scotland retains the unwelcome title of the country with the worst rate of drug deaths in Europe. How brave and bold do politicians need to be to address a situation that owes much to historical, social and economic reasons?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

Can racism and racial inequality be eradicated across a country? The Welsh Government believes so, pledging that by 2030, Wales will be anti-racist. What is Scotland doing?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

Clive Myrie discusses his incredible 30-year career reporting from conflict zones. Myrie’s memoir also gives an insight into his dealing with the challenges of race and class to succeed at the highest levels in his broadcasting career.

General admission: £10
Concession: £8

Will AI support or supplant human participation in politics? How do we address the risks of misinformation and develop the ethical frameworks needed to protect trust and integrity?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

Stories of disabled people left stranded on planes and trains trigger the question, how much progress has been made in the 30 years since the Disability Discrimination Act? Is accessible transport planning a reality in Scotland?

FREE

In his latest book, Professor Dorling uses the most up-to-date research to redraw our assumptions about where our greatest threats come from and the solutions that lie in politics and collective social organisation to tackle our uncertain future.

General admission: £10
Concession: £8

Misogynistic thinking and behaviours are fuelling an epidemic of violence against women and girls. What are our leaders doing to tackle this gender-based abuse and who is protecting women and girls?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

Screen use is now impacting the development, educational attainment, sleep, mental and physical health of children and young people. What are politicians and social media platforms doing to address this?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

How do young people engage with politics? Are they disillusioned or redefining what political participation looks like? How important is trust in the conventional political system?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

How do young people engage with politics? Are they disillusioned or redefining what political participation looks like? How important is trust in the conventional political system?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

Many scientists believe that only personal climate shock and loss will mobilise communities to make the shift to activism on the climate crisis. Are they right?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

Russian protest art collective Pussy Riot's Maria ‘Masha’ Aklyokhina discusses her life as recorded in the memoirs 'Riot Days' and the forthcoming 'Political Girl'. 

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

Join leading academics exploring key challenges – demographic shifts, AI, fiscal complexity, and social policy – that future politicians must prioritise in the coming decade.

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

From the economy to climate, public services and security, the development pace is warp speed. Are we ready and how do we negotiate safe, responsible AI to achieve societal advances?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

What are the democratic and societal implications when the super-wealthy and powerful ignore what Andrew Carnegie dubbed ‘the moral obligations that come with huge wealth'?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

Adult obesity levels are rising but with ‘miracle’ diet drugs available, will Big Food merely adapt to Big Pharma and continue to produce convenient fibre- and protein-enriched foods instead?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

What is misinformation and how it is substantiated in politics? Will rhetoric and propaganda always be a part of democracy, and what role do critical thinking and fact-checking play?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

How can we achieve a policy settlement that meets the rising social need for care and attention, and properly rewards and recognises those who provide it?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5

Given this year is the 80th anniversary of VE Day, how realistic is the prospect of European conflict in light of the current threats and instability in current geopolitics and how do we stop escalation?

General admission: £7.50
Concession: £5