Autumn 2026 Impact Programme

Dear Members,

Happy September! As we start to say goodbye to summer, I am thrilled to share a look ahead to our Autumn Impact Programme. September and October are already jam-packed, with November quickly filling up too.

As we continue to strengthen the link between our Impact Programme and Solutions Agenda, tonight’s event sits squarely within our AI for Good work: Paul van Zyl in conversation with Daniel Susskind on how to flourish in the age of AI (01/09, 6.15pm).

Later this month, we’ll be collaborating with the Media Society on an exploration of AI and creativity, with a lineup including Madhumita Murgia and Babita Sharma (14/09, 6.15pm). And in November, Davide Rovera will return to The Conduit for another of his hands-on, practical workshops (details to follow). AI rights are a hot topic right now, so look out for further information on a debate between Matthew Holman and Anil Seth on the subject in December.

Our summer of exceptionally high temperatures, record low rainfall, and subsequent drought has put UK farmers and food systems under more pressure than ever. As part of Regenerating Climate and Nature and Health and Food Futures, we’ll be exploring agriculture and land use in a range of ways. These include a screening of the documentary Derek vs Derek (02/09, 6.15pm), and an evening of film and discussion of what farmers and fishermen from around the world can teach us (21/09, 6.15pm). We’ll be inspiring action towards a nature positive future through a screening of The Journey to Nature Positive followed by a discussion around how business leaders can get their teams and boards engaged on nature strategy (01/10, 6.15pm).

Approaching health from a different angle, although inextricably linked with the climate and nature crises we face, we’ll be welcoming Camilla Cavendish to present her new book Generation Maybe (14/10, 6.15pm) exploring why we are having fewer children.

We will also be asking what nature might teach us about leadership: what if we used ecological restoration as a working model for organisations facing constant disruption? Members Thom Dennis and Dr Nick Earley will discuss these questions and more in their interactive event (13/10, 6.15pm). We will further explore The Future of Impact Leadership through events with John Amaechi (07/09, 6.15pm), Unni Turrettini & Steph French (30/09, 6.30pm), and Humza Yousaf. In the face of poly/permacrisis, Sarah Wilson (in conversation with Jon Alexander, 22/09, 6.45pm) and Alex Evans (22/10, 6.15pm) offer us routes through which to move beyond despair and even have a good apocalypse!

On that note, Tobias Elwood has a few suggestions of how to prevent World War Three (28/09, 6.45pm). Our friends at Hay and Lviv Book Forum return for an event on literature’s role in wartime (09/09, 6.30pm), and we travel the world by waterways to investigate the future of ports during times of geopolitical upheaval (08/10, 6.15pm).

Reimagining Democracy and Justice of course remains a major topic for our agenda. We’ll journey Europe’s borders, from the Balkans to the Caucasus (17/09, 6.15pm). Stephen Sackur and Carole Cadwalladr will defend investigative journalism in the face of authoritarian political power (12/10, 6.15pm). Purpose Union will return for a State of the Nation debate, taking as its motion ‘this house believes that the UK is now on the right track.’ (19/10, 6.15pm). The following evening, renowned international human rights lawyer and President of Global Rights Compliance Wayne Jordash KC will talk transitional justice with Paul (details to follow).

Lawyer, philosopher and economist Antara Haldar will be in conversation with Nicola Sturgeon about Everyman: The Untold Story of Economics, featuring live readings (26/10, 6.15pm). And we’ll be furthering our exploration of Inclusive Economies in events with WritersMosaic (15/09, 6.30pm), and an evening exploring football, identity and society (29/10, 6.15pm). As PM Andy Burnham looks to overhaul Britain’s care system, in November we’ll welcome a panel including CNN’s Clarissa Ward to discuss social care in our society (details to follow). Next week, London Interdisciplinary School and their MBA cohort bring Crit Night: works-in-progress and feedback from systems thinkers with insights in complexity science, artificial and collective intelligence, the energy transition and the future of work (10/09, 6.15pm). Conduit members are welcome to join as guests or as presenters. If you would like to present, contact amelia.peterson@lis.ac.uk by 4 September.

As mentioned in Paul’s letter, we’re excited to be launching our new flagship members’ days: Ubuntu Fridays. Stay tuned for more information on the programme for 9 October, which will feature a debate in collaboration with Wellcome, interactive workshops, our Young Innovator Awards, a high-profile keynote address, all capped off by the Conduit’s fifth birthday party! And on 13 November, arts, culture and creative health will take centre stage in a programme co-curated by Dima Karout.

With so much to choose from, the team and I look forward to seeing you at an event very soon.

All best wishes,

Lily