@festofdebate.bsky.social
Festival of Debate returns from 22 April – 30 May 2025. The largest grassroots politics festival in the UK. A @weareopus.bsky.social project. #FofD 👉 festivalofdebate.com
🚨 We've decided to take a year out from our full Festival of Debate programme in 2026
But don’t worry – we’ll still be hosting six headline events throughout the year that will welcome some of the most interesting and radical systems change thinkers to #Sheffield
@nowthenmag.bsky.social have more⬇️
A graphic advertising an event called 'Radical Abundance'. The poster features the words "Wordlife Present... a Reading Rooms event", the cover of the book 'Radical Abundance: How to Win a Green Democratic Future', and the words "In conversation with Keir Milburn and Debs Grayson. Thu 2 October. 7–9:15pm. The Workstation, Sheffield"
We live in a world where we have too much of what we don't need and too little of what we do – but it doesn't have to be this way 🌱
This Thursday, join us for an exciting conversation about Radical Abundance with Keir Milburn.
🕖 7pm
📌 The Workstation
🎫 tickettailor.com/events/wordlife/1838497
Here's an exclusive extract in @nowthenmag.bsky.social from Keir Milburn, @kaiheron.bsky.social & @bertrussell.bsky.social's new book 'Radical Abundance'
Keir is coming to #Sheffield next Thursday to explore how we can “create a world of true abundance” 📚
Tickets 👉 buytickets.at/wordlife/183...
A graphic advertising an event called 'Radical Abundance'. The poster features the words "Wordlife Present... a Reading Rooms event", the cover of the book 'Radical Abundance: How to Win a Green Democratic Future', and the words "In conversation with Keir Milburn and Debs Grayson. Thu 2 October. 7–9:15pm. The Workstation, Sheffield"
Next Thursday, Keir will be joining us to discuss 'Radical Abundance' with Debs Grayson.
In a discussion session hosted by Now Then, we'll explore how we can “create a world of true abundance” right here in Sheffield.
@plutopress.bsky.social
Tickets ➡️ tickettailor.com/events/wordlife/1838497
"Under capitalism, for the sake of generating a bullshit abundance of privatised wealth for the few, our collective freedom and capacity to flourish is constrained"
Here's an exclusive extract from Keir Milburn, @kaiheron.bsky.social and @bertrussell.bsky.social's new book 'Radical Abundance' 🌱
A graphic advertising an event called 'Radical Abundance'. The poster features the words "Wordlife Present... a Reading Rooms event", the cover of the book 'Radical Abundance: How to Win a Green Democratic Future', and the words "In conversation with Keir Milburn and Debs Grayson. Thu 2 October. 7–9:15pm. The Workstation, Sheffield"
Capitalism has created a world of bullshit abundance, where we have too much of what we don’t need and too little of what we do.
Join us in Sheffield on 2 October to hear Keir Milburn in conversation about the alternative: Radical Abundance ✨
Tickets 👉 tickettailor.com/events/wordlife/1838497
A black-and-white photo of a bearded man, wearing a black polo-neck sweater and looking at the camera with a slight smile
Join us in #Sheffield on 2 October for an exciting in conversation between Keir Milburn and Debs Grayson about Keir’s new book 'Radical Abundance', co-written with Kai Heron and Bertie Russell.
📅 2 October
📌 Workstation
💷 £5 (£10 solidarity)
Tickets 👉 tickettailor.com/events/wordlife/1838497
At Opus, we’re in the process of moving our company savings to a more ethical platform with better interest rates.
@sammgreg.bsky.social spoke to colleague Bashkim Muca about the thinking behind the switch, and what learning we hope to offer to other organisations devoted to systems change ⬇️
"This year’s programme is a true reflection of our city – diverse, vibrant and welcoming to all"
We're super excited about the lineup for this year's @otsfestival.bsky.social, led by Lemn Sissay, @lucyworsley.bsky.social and @kenanmalik.bsky.social, plus loads more 📚
@sammgreg.bsky.social ✍️
📢 "Westminster didn't fix anything for us. We demanded the right to do more for ourselves."
Andy Burnham @mayorofgm.bsky.social speaks on the power of devolution and the future of the North of England at Festival of Debate 2025, with @metromayorsteve.bsky.social.
This bonus episode is a raw, unflinching conversation recorded live at #Sheffield #FestivalofDebate by
@weareopus.bsky.social with 3 of the most brilliant minds of our time: @kateraworth.bsky.social @indyjohar.bsky.social
& James Lock
accidentalgods.life/brilliant-mi
#AccidentalGods #Podcast
Opus team statement on the ban of Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws After their protest at RAF Brize Norton, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced plans to designate direct action group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. Palestine Action sprayed paint on military jet engines as a protest against the UK’s complicity in Israel’s genocide. This is not terrorism. Direct action is the heartbeat of our democracy, and the government’s draconian attempt to smear Palestine Action represents a dangerous moment for civil liberties in the UK. Since the Policing Act, protest has been curtailed and police have been given more power than ever to intervene in protests, and to arrest protesters. Our government have supported Israel’s genocide both politically and materially. Keir Starmer has refused to call Israel’s actions a genocide, when the UN, Amnesty and Human Rights Watch have all done so. Recent data from Action on Armed Violence has found that the RAF have conducted more than 500 reconnaissance flights over Palestine since December 2023. The UK has sent thousands of military items to Israel since
October 2023. Just days ago, a study from Harvard found that Israel has “disappeared” 377,000 Palestinians, half of them children. Research published in the Lancet estimates the death toll is 40% higher than shown in official records. Israel are committing a genocide in Palestine, and they’re doing it with the support of the UK government. Sheffield is not unconnected to this genocide. Research from the University of Sheffield is used to provide vital parts for arms for Israel. The university has received almost £100m over the past 12 years in investments from arms manufacturers. BAE Systems have opened an artillery production facility in Sheffield, further cementing the city as a major player in arms production. Palestine Action have put their own freedoms at risk to call out the complicity of the UK government in supporting a genocide. In accusing them of behaving as a terrorist group, this government is further weaponising post-9/11 legislation which criminalises and demonises Muslims. We refute the allegations that Palestine Action are terrorists, and we challenge the government’s definition of terrorism. It will soon become illegal to express any support for Palestine Action. The nature of proscription also complicates how journalists can cover the group, a startling restriction of freedom of speech. At Opus, we work to make systems
change possible for a better world. We urge everyone in Sheffield and the rest of the country to agitate for Palestine Action’s right to protest, and our collective right to object to a genocide. We will continue to use our platforms to amplify groups like Palestine Action whose principled actions make a better world possible. Emergency mobilisation outside Sheffield Town Hall, Thursday 26 June, 5:30 pm
A statement from Opus on the government's decision to proscribe @palaction.bsky.social.
You can also read the full statement on our website, where all of our sources are linked.
➡️ weareopus.org/post/opus-te...
#PalestineAction
Climate change is here. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions alone won’t save us — we must adapt and act now! ⚠️
You can now watch the full recording of this fascinating @festofdebate.bsky.social event hosted by our Grantham Scholars. ⬇️
📽️ youtu.be/IxV3D7t3Oxg?...
#FoD2025 #ClimateCrisis
🌱 "There's a quiet nagging, an imperceptible whisper just out of earshot, calling us to witness our collective grief."
It was an honour to have award-winning environmental justice researcher and educator Joycelyn Longdon at the festival this year, to discuss her book Natural Connection.
🚨 "What's being promised to us as a shiny new world of tomorrow is actually just recycling old forms of misogyny, and baking them into the building blocks of our future society."
Laura Bates speaks on AI and misogyny at Festival of Debate 2025.
Took a bit longer but here it is Alex!
05.06.2025 14:28 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Shon Faye speaks into a microphone, smiling and gesturing towards the crowd. Behind her is a Festival of Debate banner.
Joycelyn Longdon seated at a small table, holding a microphone and smiling.
A crowd of people in the Leadmill. People are facing the stage, which is out of shot. In the foreground is a pile of colourful pens and chalk pastels, and at the centre is a piece of artwork depicting a woman with her hair in a ponytail.
A large audience at the Octagon, under blue lighting.
✨ Our 2025 programme is now over - thank you all so much for coming along and taking part for another year. It's such a source of hope to see people coming together to explore some of the most important issues we face. See you next year!
Photos by Adva Photography 📸
A photo of about 20 people in a brightly lit room, watching someone standing at the front with a microphone delivering a presentation using a projector
Yesterday at Soft Ground, we heard from Sheffield Community Land Trust about their plan to take our city back into common ownership, providing affordable housing and cultural spaces right in the city centre 🏘️
#Sheffield #CommunityLandTrust #FofD
Join us at The Showroom tonight for a free screening of a powerful documentary exploring how Sheffield’s social enterprises are leading systemic change in response to the interconnected social, economic, and environmental challenges of our time.
Free tickets ⬇️
#Sheffield #FofD #SocialEnterprise
Don't miss our final @festofdebate.bsky.social event tonight!
Co-Director, Tony Ryan, will be exploring how bio-based plastics can suck carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere to help combat climate change.
🕖 7:00-8:30pm
The Diamond, Lecture Theatre 2
Book here ⬇️
🎟️ tinyurl.com/2s4arvf4
#Sheffield
It was my absolute pleasure to speak with Joycelyn Longdon for the #FofD @festofdebate.bsky.social.
Please also buy her fantastic 📖 Natural Connection: What indigenous wisdom & marginalised people teach us about environmental action
www.penguin.co.uk/books/454481...
♻️ 28 May - The planet actually needs you to use more plastic!
Join @granthamcsf.bsky.social Co-Director Tony Ryan for an open Q&A session, to explore an alternative, sustainable future for plastics.
Register now for free: loom.ly/BXDMuxY
A photo of a big piece of paper on a table covered in writing and drawings, with pens and post-it notes on top of the table. Visible are the words "How do people get lost or stuck in systems?" and the word "DISCONNECTED" in a big starburst
A photo of a long table with a long piece of paper on it, with people standing around it writing on it
Sheffield’s Poverty Truth Commission has been meeting for over a year, listening to the stories of local people and their experiences of poverty.
"The system" is a theme that comes up time and time again. At our event on Thursday, we explored what it is and whether it works ⬇️
A photo of a roomful of people watching two speakers in conversation sat on a stage
"In radical collectives we need to centre femme work, the legacy of mothers and aunties – the work of checking in, finding out how everyone feels, trying to understand how we might ourselves be being exclusionary"
Mijke van der Drift exploring their book 'Trans Femme Futures' on Wednesday evening 🏳️⚧️
💬 "A truly original journey to the root of our collective problems that offers new hope for how to solve them. Reading it is a balm" – Afua Hirsch
You can buy a copy of 'Natural Connection' from @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social ⬇️
A photo of two people sitting on a stage in conversation in front of an audience. Behind them is a projection with the cover of Joycelyn Longdon's book 'Natural Connection' and the words "Festival of Debate presents Joycelyn Longdon: Natural Connection. In conversation with Rei Takver"
"The idea that pausing and thinking and giving space for reflection is an elitist thing is very flawed. Those of us who don't work in research are still theorists and have stories to tell"
Joycelyn Longdon in conversation with @rtakver.bsky.social on Wednesday evening 🌱
#FofD
A photo of a room full of about 30 people sat round four tables deep in discussion
Yesterday, we workshopped how policies like retrofit can unlock dozens of co-benefits that enhance and revitalise our communities.
Thanks to the Centre For @thrivingplaces.bsky.social 📍
What's he on about now??
In what I think we can all agree is a deliberately provocative video Tony tries to convince you there is a future where more single use plastic rather than less is the answer.
Super proud to be part of the ##UnravellingBiofilms workshop at the #FoFD @festofdebate.bsky.social.
We were chats to folks about sewage fungus, river pollution and our hopes for the Don and her catchment... whilst crafting!
#Crochet #NeedleFelting #SciArt
@sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social
Enjoyed chairing this discussion. Thanks to @festofdebate.bsky.social for inviting me. It was great to hear more about @andyburnham.bsky.social and @metromayorsteve.bsky.social 10 point plan, their anger about what's wrong and their passion to change things. Loads to agree with and get stuck into.
21.05.2025 05:35 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
