Understanding Humanism

Where do we come from? For primary schools: the scientific story of our origins, from the Big Bang through the evolution of stars, planets, life, and, ultimately, us, revealing what we are made from and how we are connected...

Teachers might also want to check out our Where do we come from? animation and other free resources on the scientific story of our origins. understandinghumanism.org.uk/res_films/wh...

Understanding Humanism school speakers We have free, trained, and experienced volunteers across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland that can help you and your school.

Next week on 12 February it's #DarwinDay. It's a great day to invite in a humanist school speaker to talk about why humanists value Darwin's work and how what he discovered can teach us lessons about where to find wonder and how to live. understandinghumanism.org.uk/school-speak...

Understanding Humanism school speakers We have free, trained, and experienced volunteers across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland that can help you and your school.

If you're planning an interfaith day or panel discussion at your school, don’t forget to invite a humanist school speaker for a non-religious perspective. Find out more and request a speaker below. understandinghumanism.org.uk/school-speak...

The genetic age: who shapes evolution now? | The Darwin Day Lecture 2026, with Professor Matthew Cobb and Janet Ellis MBE

For most of human history, evolution shaped us. Now, we shape it. This 12 Feb, join us for the #DarwinDayLecture, as @matthewcobb.bsky.social explores how genetic engineering has transformed medicine, agriculture, and now threatens ecosystems and even humanity itself. 🧵 humanists.uk/events/darwi...

Stories of historic humanists Doers, Dreamers, Place Makers tells the stories of eight remarkable people, inspired by their humanist values, who helped change the world for the better.

Bertie also features on our @humanismedu.bsky.social school's resource about eight remarkable humanists from across history including: Moncure Conway, Eslanda Robeson, Thomas Paine, Eliza Flower, Ernestine Rose, E. M. Forster, and Rose Bush.

understandinghumanism.org.uk/stories-of-h...

Introducing Humanism: non-religious approaches to life, with Sandi Toksvig Click here to start the course Learn about how humanists approach life’s big questions Humanism is a non-religious, ethical world view shared by millions of people around the world. Humanists believe…

Our online course 'Introducing humanism: non-religious approaches to life' led by writer, broadcaster, and humanist Sandi Toksvig is available and free to access for everyone. 🎉 Start learning with Sandi today. @humanismedu.bsky.social

We're at #StrictlyRE today! Come and see us in the Malvern Suite to find out more about our resources and services for teachers, and take away a free book for your collection! @natre-update.bsky.social

Understanding Humanism Understanding Humanism provides free education resources, school speakers, teacher training, and online courses on humanism and non-religious worldviews.

We'll be exhibiting at #StrictlyRE tomorrow! If you’re joining us, come and visit our stand in the Malvern Suite, where you can find out more about how we can support your teaching of non-religious worldviews. @natre-update.bsky.social

Understanding Humanism Understanding Humanism provides free education resources, school speakers, teacher training, and online courses on humanism and non-religious worldviews.

We're looking forward to exhibiting at #StrictlyRE this Saturday! If you’re there too, please come and say hello, and find out more about our free resources, services and support for teachers. @natre-update.bsky.social understandinghumanism.org.uk

The duty of remembrance: Holocaust Memorial Day Attending the national ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day today is, as always, a deeply moving experience. There is a specific, heavy silence that falls when we stop to contemplate the scale of the i...

'Remembrance should be a duty for all of us, not only for those who lived through these atrocities. As this generation of survivors grows smaller, their words provide the vital resources we need to carry that obligation forward.' #HolocaustMemorialDay humanists.uk/2026/01/27/t...

Understanding Humanism school speakers We have free, trained, and experienced volunteers across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland that can help you and your school.

Do your students have questions about humanism? We offer free, trained, and accredited humanist school speakers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Find out more and request a visit below. understandinghumanism.org.uk/school-speak...

The genetic age: who shapes evolution now? | The Darwin Day Lecture 2026, with Professor Matthew Cobb and Janet Ellis MBE

For most of human history, evolution shaped us. Now, we shape it. This 12 Feb, join us for the #DarwinDayLecture, as
@matthewcobb.bsky.social explores how genetic engineering has transformed medicine, agriculture, and now threatens ecosystems and even humanity itself. humanists.uk/events/darwi...

Book review: The Genius Myth From Tolstoy to The Beatles to Elon Musk, Helen Lewis examines the concept of "genius" in her new book

What do we really mean when we call someone a "genius"?

The science of fate | The Rosalind Franklin Lecture 2026 | Dr Hannah Critchlow | chaired by Samira Ahmed For millennia, humanity has wrestled with the concept of destiny. To the ancients, it was the whim of the gods; to Enlightenment thinkers, it was a superstition to be swept away by the autonomous self...

Celebrate #IWD26 at the #RosalindFranklinLecture 5 March! In a fascinating talk on the science of 'fate', Dr Hannah Critchlow invites us to rethink the free will – and asks whether it may, at least in part, be an illusion created by the brain’s need for a coherent story. humanists.uk/events/frank...

Explore our interactive virtual tour of Conway Hall Learn more about the history of humanism with this fantastic new education resource featuring one of the only humanist buildings in the UK

Teachers of RE in primary and secondary schools, check out our free virtual tour of Conway Hall. One the only buildings in the UK built by and for non-religious people, it provides a way to explore the history of humanism and how humanists live today. understandinghumanism.org.uk/conway-hall-...

One has to be friends with oneself before one is fit to be a friend. Nobody else is responsible for taking care of one's interests, satisfying one's needs and desires, fulfilling one's chosen possibilities, making a job of one's life. Doing the best for oneself can be the best one can do for others.' Harold Blackham. Philosopher and humanist.

Philosopher Harold Blackham is one of the architects of modern humanism, and he was our very first Executive Director. He wrote extensively on humanism, life, and ethics. This is one of our favourites quotes. He died #onthisday in 2009 at the age of 105!

Best of Blackham🧵👇

Explore our interactive virtual tour of Conway Hall Learn more about the history of humanism with this fantastic new education resource featuring one of the only humanist buildings in the UK

Teachers of RE in primary and secondary schools, check out our free virtual tour of Conway Hall. One the only buildings in the UK built by and for non-religious people, it provides a way to explore the history of humanism and how humanists live today. understandinghumanism.org.uk/conway-hall-...

From narrowly escaping the guillotine in France, to writing the publication that fuelled the American Revolution, to boldly denouncing organised religion – read more about the extraordinary life of Thomas Paine on #HumanistHeritage

heritage.humanists.uk/thomas-paine...

From a humanist point of view, these are some of the most important words ever written, featured in Charles Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species'. Beautiful.

We've posted info about our #DarwinDayLecture if you want to join us Feb 12 – either online or in person – to celebrate #DarwinDay in style!

The genetic age: who shapes evolution now? | The Darwin Day Lecture 2026, with Professor Matthew Cobb and Janet Ellis MBE

For most of human history, evolution shaped us. Now, we shape it. This 12 Feb, join us for the #DarwinDayLecture, as @matthewcobb.bsky.social explores how genetic engineering has transformed medicine, agriculture, and now threatens ecosystems and even humanity itself. 🧵

humanists.uk/events/darwi...

Introducing Humanism: non-religious approaches to life, with Sandi Toksvig Click here to start the course Learn about how humanists approach life’s big questions Humanism is a non-religious, ethical world view shared by millions of people around the world. Humanists believe ...

If you're looking for something new in 2026, why not try our free online course? Learn about humanism, an ethical, non-religious worldview shared by millions of people around the globe, and explore life's big questions. courses.understandinghumanism.org.uk/courses/intr...

Understanding Humanism teaching resources All our resources are FREE! You'll find information sheets, activities, presentations, films, assessment, and humanist perspectives on a wide range of topics and questions for ages 5-18.

Primary and secondary RE teachers, all our resources are free to download and are classroom ready. Make your RE inclusive by teaching about humanism as an example of a non-religious worldview. understandinghumanism.org.uk/resources/

Understanding Humanism teacher training We deliver teacher training about humanism to help with subject knowledge and practical ideas for the classroom. We can offer training as part of initial teacher training (ITT) and for continued profe...

Teachers, book now for CPD to support your teaching about humanism. We're running webinars on Tuesday 27 Jan (primary) and Thursday 29 Jan (GCSE specific). Find out more and save your spot below! understandinghumanism.org.uk/training/

In conversation with Paul ‘Polyp’ Fitzgerald | The radical life of Thomas Paine

Join #HumanistHeritage Manager Madeleine Goodall in conversation with Paul 'Polyp' Fitzgerald on Thomas Paine’s 289th birthday to explore the life and legacy of the United States' most radical Founding Father. Book your place now!

humanists.uk/events/in-co...

Understanding Humanism teacher training We deliver teacher training about humanism to help with subject knowledge and practical ideas for the classroom. We can offer training as part of initial teacher training (ITT) and for continued profe...

GCSE RS teachers - don't miss next week's CPD! Join us on Thursday for a webinar to deepen your humanist subject knowledge, and get guidance and resources to improve your pupils' GCSE responses on non-religious worldviews. Register below. understandinghumanism.org.uk/training/

Understanding Humanism teacher training We deliver teacher training about humanism to help with subject knowledge and practical ideas for the classroom. We can offer training as part of initial teacher training (ITT) and for continued profe...

GCSE RS teachers - don't miss next week's CPD! Join us on Thursday for a webinar to deepen your humanist subject knowledge, and get guidance and resources to improve your pupils' GCSE responses on non-religious worldviews. Register below. understandinghumanism.org.uk/training/

One Life, Live It Well: watch our new animation narrated by Alice Roberts 'Life is like a piece of string. It has a beginning and an end. We don't get much say about that. But we can make choices about the bit in between. We have the freedom to shape our own lives.'

This is the one life we have. So how can we make the most of it and support other people to do the same? Check out our wonderful animation with @profaliceroberts.bsky.social on the humanist approach to life. understandinghumanism.org.uk/res_films/on...

Understanding Humanism teacher training We deliver teacher training about humanism to help with subject knowledge and practical ideas for the classroom. We can offer training as part of initial teacher training (ITT) and for continued profe...

Teachers, book now for CPD to support your teaching about humanism. We're running webinars on Tuesday 27 Jan (primary) and Thursday 29 Jan (GCSE specific). Find out more and save your spot below! understandinghumanism.org.uk/training/

Stories of historic humanists Doers, Dreamers, Place Makers tells the stories of eight remarkable people, inspired by their humanist values, who helped change the world for the better.

Ernestine Rose is included in our @humanismedu.bsky.social school resource about remarkable humanists alongside Moncure Conway, Eslanda Robeson, Thomas Paine, Eliza Flower, Bertrand Russell, E. M. Forster, and Rose Bush. understandinghumanism.org.uk/stories-of-h...

Understanding Humanism teaching resources All our resources are FREE! You'll find information sheets, activities, presentations, films, assessment, and humanist perspectives on a wide range of topics and questions for ages 5-18.

Primary and secondary RE teachers, all our resources are free to download and are classroom ready. Make your RE inclusive by teaching about humanism as an example of a non-religious worldview. understandinghumanism.org.uk/resources/