Institute of Ideas

The Institute of Ideas (IoI) was founded in 2000. As an organisation it is committed to the spirit of the enlightenment and is one of the UK's most significant public forums for intelligent and spirited argument. 

A GREAT IDEA

Run by Claire Fox, a former member of the Revolutionary Communist Party and known to many for her appearances on Radio 4's The Moral Maze, the IoI has organised many debates and conferences on freedom, culture, thought and society and makes a significant contribution to the intellectual life of the country.

The IoI website keeps you up to date with upcoming events. You can download transcripts of past debates and summaries. Of particular interest at the moment is the forthcoming 'pre-election summit' on the significance of the 2010 UK general election.

A FESTIVAL OF DEBATE

The IoI hosts an annual two-day debating festival called Battle of Ideas and maintains a separate website devoted to this event. There are interesting articles, essays and opinion pieces on a wide variety of themes, from lifestyle and society to liberty and law. You can also watch a series of engaging videos from previous Battle of Ideas festivals and find out about the programme for the latest one.

The IoI also runs a review site called Culture Wars which covers books, film, theatre, art and talk events. In addition, this site offers considered essays on art, culture and society. The site welcomes contributions.

10 February 2010