BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution - ECPv6.16.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.brlsi.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20270328T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20271031T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261008T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261008T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260806T105131Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261008T110741Z UID:10002348-1791487800-1791493200@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Driving the Ancient Sands: Recording the archaeology of Libya DESCRIPTION:BRLSI’s brand new talk series\, Let’s Go Adventure\, invites you to follow the intrepid and the bold as they share personal tales from a life of exploration lived across the globe. Curated by explorer Jacki Hill Murphy\, the series provides the perfect night out for those undergoing a bad case of winter wanderlust or looking for inspiration for their own individual adventures. \nFirst up\, Toby Savage\, a professional photographer\, writer and Land Rover owner\, shares stories and adventures from ten expeditions to Libya between 1998 and 2010. Don’t miss out! URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/driving-the-ancient-sands-recording-the-archaeology-of-libya/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Geography and Adventure,History, Culture and Geography ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WEBSITE-EVENT-LISTINGS-FORMAT-4.png GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261006T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261006T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260508T094923Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T164658Z UID:10002214-1791315000-1791320400@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Democracy Ancient vs Modern: 10 things you really ought to know DESCRIPTION:BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock by surveying the wealth of history and political thinking which underpins our long-held democratic systems and institutions. It explores the laying down of democratic principles from Ancient Athens to the present day\, and takes in current scenarios in international geopolitics\, while considering Britain as its own small island with its own set of political traditions. \nWhatever your thoughts about the pressures on our current democracies\, BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock as we collectively take the long view across history and the breadth of political thinking which underpins our long held democratic systems and institutions. \nSo if our democracies are in trouble\, can we learn anything salutary by studying the history of – very different – democracy in ancient Greece? \nYes – and No says Professor Paul Cartledge of Unversity of Cambridge. No\, precisely because the ancients’ democracies were so very different both in conception and in practice from any of our current versions.  Yes\, because some of their ideas – about citizen equality\, active participation\, use of the lottery – still have potential purchase today and for the future. \n Join Democracy Ancient Vs Modern: 10 things you really ought to know and let us know your own thoughts in our Q&A. \nProfessor Paul Cartledge\, University of Cambridge \n \nOn the Spot with Professor Paul Cartledge \n \n  URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/democracy-ancient-vs-modern-10-things-you-really-ought-to-know/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:BRLSI,Democracy under Threat,Modern World,World Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/DEMOCRACY-WEBSITE-event-listings-4.jpg GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260930T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260930T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260508T102728Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260930T151048Z UID:10002232-1790796600-1790802000@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Sir Stewart Eldon: the rules-based order DESCRIPTION:BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock by surveying the wealth of history and political thinking which underpins our long-held democratic systems and institutions. It explores the laying down of democratic principles from Ancient Athens to the present day\, and takes in current scenarios in international geopolitics\, while considering Britain as its own small island with its own set of political traditions. \nBRLSI are delighted that in an upcoming talk Sir Stewart Eldon KCMG OBE\, former UK permanent Representative to NATO will be with us to discuss how we best conduct our international relations. The effective conduct of international relations\, he says\,  is not predicated on how countries govern themselves internally.  Experience suggests that\, allowing for national variations in culture and governance\, democracies work better together to promote a common interest. The rules-based international order and the international organisations that underpin it provide an important scaffold for this and for how all countries work together.  \nIn today’s uncertain circumstances customary international rules and accountability are increasingly under threat from populist governments and autocracies. What are the implications for democracy\, international security and organisations such as the UN and NATO?  What can be done to put the international system on a more secure footing? Join Sir Stewart Eldon and take your chance to put questions to him in our Q&A to follow.   \nAn engineer by training\, Sir Stewart Eldon KCMG OBE spent thirty-four years in the Foreign Office\, finishing in March 2010 as UK Permanent Representative to NATO. His career focused on the United Nations\, NATO and the European Union but also included nearly four years as British Ambassador to Ireland. \nA discount of 20% is on offer to all those purchasing five tickets or more from the series\, excluding the conference on the 4th of July. \nTo learn more about Democracy Under Threat and the exciting range of speakers coming up as part of the programme\, don’t forget to follow our Democracy Under Threat Webpage: https://www.brlsi.org/democracyunderthreat/ \n  URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/sir-stewart-eldon-the-rules-based-order/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Democracy under Threat,World Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/30.9.26-RULES-BASED-ORDER-ELDON-1.jpg GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260921T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260921T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260715T090419Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T174223Z UID:10002323-1790019000-1790024400@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Everyone is right: media\, democracy & the problem of knowing DESCRIPTION:BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock by surveying the wealth of history and political thinking which underpins our long-held democratic systems and institutions. It explores the laying down of democratic principles from Ancient Athens to the present day\, and takes in current scenarios in international geopolitics\, while considering Britain as its own small island with its own set of political traditions. \nThe word propaganda has become almost unavoidable in political debate\, invoked to explain wars\, elections\, public health and social media. Yet the experts who study propaganda disagree profoundly about what counts as evidence\, what can reasonably be inferred\, and when certainty is justified. \nWhat if this disagreement reflects expert limitations\, but also reveals a deeper problem facing democratic citizens? Why do intelligent citizens\, journalists and scholars reach radically different conclusions about the same events? \nDrawing on two decades of research into media and international politics – from Hollywood to Moscow – this talk argues that one of the greatest challenges facing us is not simply deciding what is true\, but how to reason when evidence is incomplete. Rather than asking who is right\, it explores why experts reach such different conclusions\, how we should evaluate competing claims\, and what democratic citizens can reasonably know in an age of weaponised narratives. \nDr Matthew Alford\, University of Bath \n  URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/everyone-is-right-media-democracy-the-problem-of-knowing/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Democracy under Threat,Modern World,World Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG_7956.png GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260218T100641Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T151032Z UID:10002173-1789673400-1789678800@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Strike a light! John Walker & the friction match DESCRIPTION:Exactly 200 years ago\, John Walker\, a chemist from Stockton-on-Tees\, invented the humble Friction Match. Walker would have been surprised that his invention literally changed the course of history\, affecting the lives of millions of people across the world. The global match industry grew up in the nineteenth century to become perhaps as economically significant then as are today’s tech giants\, Amazon and Google.  \nBut working conditions in the match factories\, where the majority of the workers were women and children\, were grim. Following a landmark matchgirls’ strike in 1888\, several Acts of Parliament and international conventions were needed to improve and protect workers’ rights. \nThe talk includes a showing of the film John Walker – lighting up the world\, made possible by a grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund. \nMike J Pryor\, British Matchbox Label & Bookmatch Society \nRead more on how the humble match changed the world: \n \nHow the humble match changed the world! \n \nAnd watch this great little film on the work of John Walker and the invention of the friction match: URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/strike-a-light-john-walker-the-friction-match/ LOCATION:Live at 16 Queen Square\, BRLSI 16-18 Queen Square\, Bath\, Somerset\, BA1 2HN\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Science,Science and Research ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG_7461.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T113000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260907T084118Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260907T084239Z UID:10002376-1789639200-1789644600@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Italian course - pre-intermediate DESCRIPTION:Join our Pre-Intermediate Italian course\, where we’ll revise how to talk about daily routines using the present tense before moving on to possessive adjectives\, and then taking our first steps into the all-important past tense. \nThere will be plenty of opportunities to practise speaking\, listen to authentic dialogues\, and improve your listening and communication skills in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. As always\, we’ll discover fascinating aspects of Italian culture\, traditions\, and everyday life along the way\, making your language journey both enjoyable and rewarding. \nThis 10 week course starts on Thursday 17 September (10am-11.30am) with Italian tutor\, Cinzia Azzali – please email for more details: cinziaazzali@gmail.com \nNo lesson on 5 November URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/italian-course-pre-intermediate-2/ LOCATION:Live at 16 Queen Square\, BRLSI 16-18 Queen Square\, Bath\, Somerset\, BA1 2HN\, United Kingdom ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/RS-website-events-1000x650-DO-NOT-RESIZE.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260915T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260915T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260508T110012Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T103359Z UID:10002236-1789500600-1789506000@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Democracy\, liberalism\, capitalism: the triad unravelling DESCRIPTION:BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock by surveying the wealth of history and political thinking which underpins our long-held democratic systems and institutions. It explores the laying down of democratic principles from Ancient Athens to the present day\, and takes in current scenarios in international geopolitics\, while considering Britain as its own small island with its own set of political traditions. \nDemocracy\, liberalism and capitalism have represented the foundation and cornerstones of the modern Western world and until now have directed its world order. Yet\, the threads of this coherent fabric\, woven by threads of certainty\, universality and a clockwork world\, are beginning to unravel at an ever increasing rate of knots.This unravelling is met with astonishment and anguish in equal measure\, but the only solutions offered relate to doubling down by doing ever more of the same. All this will achieve is to speed up the demise of the triad. \nInstead\, says Andreas Wasmuht\, it is vital to look afresh at the threads of certainty\, universality and a clockwork world and realise that these only represent special cases in which complexity\, diversity and open ecosystems are the normal order of the day. We will need to come to terms with a world that is complex and unpredictable and understand how to act differently in order to be effective and challenge the prevailing worldview. \nAndreas Wasmuht\, BRLSI & University of Bath \nTo learn more about Democracy Under Threat and the exciting range of speakers coming up as part of the programme\, don’t forget to follow our Democracy Under Threat Webpage: https://www.brlsi.org/democracyunderthreat/ \nA discount of 20% is on offer to all those purchasing five tickets or more from the series\, excluding the conference on the 4th of July. URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/democracy-liberalism-capitalism-the-triad-unravelling/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Democracy under Threat,World Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/15.9.26-LIBERALISM-CAPITALISM-WASMUHT.jpg GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260914T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260914T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260817T090546Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260914T082952Z UID:10002353-1789414200-1789419600@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Lessons from Weimar: Democracy in East Germany DESCRIPTION:Traditionally associated with German cultural icons Goethe and Schiller\, Weimar gave its name to the first German constitutional republic based in democratic principles after WW1. It was also a hot seat of Nazi ideology. After WW2\, the east German Democratic Republic was effectively governed by one Socialist party until German reunification in 1989. Now the far-right part AfD attracts a significant share of the vote. \nThis talk is in English. \nKatja Hoyer is a German-British historian\, journalist and writer. She grew up and was educated in former east Germany. She is the prize-winning author of three recently published books: Blood and Iron (2021)\, Beyond the Wall (2023) and Weimar – Life on the Edge of Catastrophe (2026). URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/lessons-from-weimar-democracy-in-east-germany/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:German Culture & Language,History, Culture and Geography ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Lets-Go-Adventure-1000-x-650-px-3.jpg GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260912T143000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260912T163000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260619T081347Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260908T145628Z UID:10002293-1789223400-1789230600@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Why Freud Still Matters - The Talking Cure in the Digital Age DESCRIPTION:People come to therapy when something no longer works\, hoping that someone who is “supposed to know” will listen and help them return to a time when things did work. In this talk\, psychoanalyst Christos Tombras revisits Sigmund Freud’s great invention\, the “Talking Cure”\, tracing its development from 19th-century studies of hysteria and early attempts at hypnosis\, to today’s world pushing for quantifiable\, clear-cut solutions to problems that are assumed to be equally quantifiable and clear-cut. \nDrawing on Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan\, Tombras argues that while the mind is a product of the brain\, it cannot be reduced to mere neurology; instead\, it comprises complex networks of psychic events shaped by language — not as a neutral system of meanings\, but as a material force that structures experience from the outside in. The singularity of a patient’s history and experience is too often overlooked — a real challenge for modern “evidence-based” clinical practice. Ultimately\, the talk asks what the Talking Cure can still offer in a century that would rather scan the brain than listen to the patient. \nChristos Tombras\, PhD\, is a London-based Lacanian supervising psychoanalyst and lecturer with a special interest in continental philosophy and its dialogue with psychoanalysis\, about which he has written and presented extensively. He has a background in experimental\, non-narrative cinema. His most recent book is False Negatives: Tilted Takes on a World in Flux (L2U Publishing\, 2025); His latest film is Three Colours (30 mins\, 2024). \nDaniel Jeffreys and Sayuri Higashi tell you more about what you can expect on the day: \n \n  URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/why-freud-still-matters-and-why-we-need-lacan/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Psychology ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/WEBSITE-EVENT-LISTINGS-FORMAT-33.jpg GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260910T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260910T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260806T084240Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T111437Z UID:10002346-1789068600-1789074000@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Eco Shorts at BRLSI DESCRIPTION:Eco Shorts at BRLSI is an evening of six inspiring and thought-provoking short films highlighting climate change and conservation. If you care about our planet\, be sure to join us! \nThis month’s programme: \nFrom the Mountain to the Sea – Director: Adlai Saicedo \nCountry: Canada & Columbia – Duration: 15m \nOn the east coast of Bali\, coral reefs are dissapearing at an alarming rate\, but a local diving centre refuses to let this happen\, instead they’re bringing the very community that depends on these waters into the heart of the restoration effort. \nThe Guardians of Ria Formosa – Director: Joao Carrilho \nCountry: Portugal – Duration: 3m 51s \nDrawing on the visual language of Japanese Anime\, this animated short documentary explores Portugal’s Ria Formosa Natural Park through the journey of an iconic seahorse. Blending panel-based compositions\, decorative patterns\, and cinematic landscapes with scientific research from the University of Algarve\, the film reveals the dramatic 90% decline of the world’s once largest seahorse population. \nSaplings of Hope – Director: Zeynep Ikra Sezgin \nCountry: Turkey – Duration: 13m \nFor years Bulent Kilercioglu has been growing oak saplings with his own resources and returning them to nature. This love of nature\, inherited from his father\, has gradually transformed into a movement that inspires those around him. Students documenting his story are now teaching elementary schoolchildren the hope and responsibility of growing saplings. “Saplings of Hope” is a documentary that explores how one person’s efforts take root in new generations. \nThe Flood – Director: David Tessier \nCountry: France – Duration: 1m 13s \nA political debate on a news channel. As the participants clash over various topics in an increasingly chaotic cacophony\, water begins to flood the set and gradually covers everyone-yet no one seems to notice… \nElena Tito – memoirs of the clay – Directors: Sofia Quiros\, Daniel Canto Molina \nCountry: Chile – Duration: 6m 27s \nA journey through the life and work of the Atacama potter\, Elena Titi\, who passed away in 2022. Heir to the ancestral Lickanantay tradition\, Elena teaches us about working with clay and her deep love for the land. \nYou Told Us to Talk about the Weather – Director: Harry Tomlin \nCountry: United Kingdom – Duration: 4m 59s \nIn the past 6 hours\, 94% of Brits have spoken about the weather. In the past 5 years\, 7\,000 Brits have been arrested for speaking out about the Climate Crisis. This short film\, starring Michael Sheen\, has been developed with young farmers and colleges in rural Norfolk. It questions why it is so hard for us to have meaningful conversations about climate change. Told through the eyes of a child grappling with climate anxiety\, the film explores the cost of British small talk and encourages audiences to elevate their daily habit into tools for meaningful change. \n_______________ \nThe evening will be introduced by James Godman\, CEO\, creator and director of the Frome International Climate Film Festival (CIC) – the world’s first film festival dedicated to the climate and the environment. You can read more about the festival and lend your support via this link.  \nWith the Royal Geographical Society. URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/eco-shorts-at-brlsi/ LOCATION:Live at 16 Queen Square\, BRLSI 16-18 Queen Square\, Bath\, Somerset\, BA1 2HN\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Geography and Adventure,History, Culture and Geography,Science and Research,Sustainability ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WEBSITE-EVENT-LISTINGS-FORMAT-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260904T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260904T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260706T104220Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T104826Z UID:10002309-1788550200-1788555600@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Sculpture: Enlarging Eduardo & other projects DESCRIPTION:Have you ever looked at a Barbara Hepworth\, Antony Gormley or Henry Moore and wondered how they even begin? On Friday\, renowned ceramicist and sculptor\, Alma Boyes discusses what it takes to create ceramic and bronze work on a monumental scale. You might wish to take a look at the sort of thing Alma gets up to in the short video below: \n \nWith an established background in ceramics and sculpture\, both as a maker and educator spanning over 40 years\, Alma will be discussing her ceramic and bronze work alongside her work as an enlarger at the Morris Singer Foundry\, producing monumental sculptures for prominent 20th century artists such as Sir Eduardo Paolozzi\, Bob Clatworthy and William Timym MBE. \nHer talk will give insights into the inspiration\, collaboration and interpretation necessary in the process of making and working at scale. \nBiography: \nIn the mid 70’s Alma Boyes studied ceramics and sculpture at Bath Academy of Art and in 1979 was awarded a British Council Scholarship to study Pre-Columbian Art at the Escuela de Artisanias in Mexico City. The 14 months she spent studying and traveling in Mexico remains a key influence upon her work in terms of form\, colour\, surface and the depiction of narrative. On returning to the UK Alma studied for an MA in Ceramic Design in Stoke on Trent undertaking a 3-month work placement at Royal Doulton’s in Burslem. \nAlongside studying and traveling from 1979- 97 Alma worked as a freelance consultant\, sculptor and enlarger at the Morris Singer Foundry enlarging sculptures for prominent 20th century artists such as Eduardo Paolozzi and William Timym MBE\, whilst continuing to produce her own work for bronze casting. \nAlma began teaching ceramics in 1982 working as a visiting lecturer in a number of Art Schools including Bath Academy of Art\, The University of Brighton\, Central St Martins\, Goldsmiths and Cardiff University and in 1995 became Area Leader for Ceramics at Brighton University. \nAlma’s current work explores the historic technique of agateware which was prominent in the UK in 17th & 18th century industrial ceramics\, notably Josiah Wedgewood. Her collection of works includes hand-modelled birds –predominately the British species of blackbirds\, crows and sparrows. This new work brings together my experiences of designing and producing industrial ceramics\, with many years specialising in portraits and sculptures of endangered species for bronze casting. URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/enlarging-eduardo-paolozzi-other-projects/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Art and Music,Visual Arts ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WEBSITE-EVENT-LISTINGS-FORMAT-39.jpg GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260902T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260902T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260216T162559Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260902T105307Z UID:10002169-1788377400-1788382800@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Elizabeth Linley: the (troubled) Nightingale of Bath DESCRIPTION:The plaque at Bath’s 11 Royal Crescent blandly says that from this house\, Elizabeth Linley eloped with Richard Brinsley Sheridan on 18 March 1772 – but behind those words lies a much darker story.  \nElizabeth was a stunningly beautiful teenager with a fabulous voice\, ill-equipped for the adulation of stardom.  Drawing on archives and letters\, Thomas Messel will tell of the scandalous way she was forced to perform and her vulnerability to predatory men\, the elopement – and what happened next. \nBetter known as one of Britain’s most respected furniture designers\, with a celebrated reputation both in the UK and the USA\, Thomas Messel is an expert on eighteenth-century furniture and Georgian house interiors. He can also claim the Linley family as ancestors\, and his book based on Elizabeth’s life\, The Nightingale of Bath: Love\, Jealousy\, Betrayal and Revolution in Georgian England\, will be available to purchase on the night. \nImage: Thomas Gainsborough\, Elizabeth and Thomas Linley\, c. 1768\, oil on canvas. Clark Art Institute\, 1955.955 URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/elizabeth-linley-the-troubled-nightingale-of-bath/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Heritage,History, Culture and Geography ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Dont-resize-1000x650-website-image-2-1.png GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260901T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260901T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260821T083746Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260828T145712Z UID:10002357-1788291000-1788296400@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Eco Shorts at BRLSI: Becoming Nature Positive DESCRIPTION:How do we build a sustainable future? If you’re looking for something to inspire you this season ‘Eco Shorts at BRLSI ‘ delivers inspiring and thought provoking content on the issue of climate change and conservation. Beginning with ‘Becoming Nature Positive‘\, BRLSI will be delivering monthly talks and films exploring how to best futureproof the planet against rising global challenges and invite you to become part of a community who feel the same way that you do. \nBecoming Nature Positive is an award-winning\, first-of-its-kind short film created by the Nature Positive Initiative and co-produced witH Open Planet Studios\, featuring top voices from across the global sustainability community. \nSo\, how would you define nature positive? Why does it matter\, and why now? And why should we all care? What do scientists\, business leaders\, civil society executives\, public sector actors and others have to say about it? ‘Becoming Nature Positive’ delves into these questions and more. \nThe Nature Positive Initiative gathers some of the world’s largest sustainable business and finance coalitions; standards\, disclosure and targets frameworks; global conservation organizations; and science\, subnational governance and Indigenous knowledge networks\, to drive alignment around use of the term ‘nature positive’ and support broader\, longer-term efforts to deliver nature-positive outcomes. \nThe timely screening event ahead of UNCBD COP17 in Armenia in October will feature a discussion with the Executive Director of the film and Convener of the Nature Positive Initiative\, Marco Lambertini. \nJoin us for a screening of this timely\, thought-provoking\, inspiring new short film followed by an expert Q&A! \nBIO \n \nDr Marco Lambertini\, Convener\, Nature Positive Initiative \nMarco was WWF International Director General (2014-2022) and Special Envoy (2023). Before joining WWF he was Global Director of Network and Programme and subsequently CEO of BirdLife International.  \nMarco’s experience and career ranges from ecological field research to high level advocacy and international policy\, nature reserve management\, integrated conservation and development projects\, environmental education\, NGO development\, communications and campaigning\, in many countries all over the world.  \nMarco is a member of the China Council (CCICED)\, the UNILEVER Sustainability Advisory Council\, the Board of Directors for the Fondation Prince Albert II of Monaco\, the Board of Directors of the MedFund\, co-chair of the Nature Action 100 Science Council\, former co-chair and now Board member of the Belt and Road Initiative Greening Coalition\, a founding member of the Nature Action Agenda and Friends of Ocean Action at World Economic Forum\, former member of the UN Global Compact Board\, former co-chair of the Global Commons Alliance and former co-focal point for UN DESA’s Community of Ocean Action on Marine/Coastal Ecosystems.  \nMarco is the lead author of the book Becoming Nature Positive: transitioning to a safe and just future (2025\, Earthscan Routledge\, London).  \n  URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/eco-shorts-at-brlsi-becoming-nature-positive/ LOCATION:Live at 16 Queen Square\, BRLSI 16-18 Queen Square\, Bath\, Somerset\, BA1 2HN\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Science and Research,Sustainability ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Orange-and-Blue-Surreal-Event-Launch-Program-1000-x-650-px-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260728T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260728T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260514T083944Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T084610Z UID:10002262-1785265200-1785272400@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Grief in an age of Loss DESCRIPTION:The next in our The Unsettled Mind: Psychoanalysis in the Age of Anxiety series explores the subject of Grief. \nGrief is messy\, non-linear\, and utterly unique to you. But why does the culture offer so little structured support? \nMeghan Riordan Jarvis has created an approach to grief that is built on neuroscience\, bioscience\, grief and trauma theories\, cultural wisdom and ritual. Her powerful approach offers transformative concepts and techniques that help process pain\, rediscover your identity\, and find unexpected meaning. She has built her entire career on a single\, radical act — telling people the truth about grief when everyone else in their life is too scared to.  \nA licensed psychotherapist and trauma specialist with twenty years of clinical practice\, Meghan knows grief from both sides of the therapy room. After losing both of her parents and developing PTSD\, she stopped pretending she had all the answers and started writing about what she actually knew. The result was two books that have changed the way readers understand loss: the memoir End of the Hour (Zibby Books\, 2023) and the clinical guide Can Anyone Tell Me? (Sounds True\, 2024). \nFind out more! \n \nGrief in an age of Loss \n \n  \nBio \nMeghan is also the host of Grief is My Side Hustle\, the creator of the Grief M.E.N.T.O.R Method\, a two-time TEDx speaker\, and the founder of the GRIEFTASTIC Book Fair. Alongside she teaches at Kripalu and The Omega Institute and consults with Fortune 500 companies including Lululemon\, Pinterest\, and Johnson & Johnson on building emotionally fluent workplaces.  \nImage: Nasjonalmuseet/Høstland\, Børre \nhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ \n  URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/grief-as-a-personalised-daily-practice/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Psychology ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WEBSITE-EVENT-LISTINGS-FORMAT-2.jpg GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260721T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260721T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260409T105204Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T141629Z UID:10002199-1784662200-1784667600@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:How British & American ideas about democracy first diverged DESCRIPTION:BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock by surveying the wealth of history and political thinking which underpins our long-held democratic systems and institutions. It explores the laying down of democratic principles from Ancient Athens to the present day\, and takes in current scenarios in international geopolitics\, while considering Britain as its own small island with its own set of political traditions. \nAn upcoming talk by Joanna Innes examines some of the ways in which British and American political paths diverged in the decades following American independence\, with special reference to their development of differing ideas about democracy. The War of Independence was a civil war\, fought between countries which largely shared political values\, both highly critical of ‘democracy’\, as it was then understood. In the following decades\, as their political institutions\, practices and values diverged\, both joined other countries across Europe and the Americas in re-evaluating ‘democracy’. But their re-evaluations also took different paths\, laying the groundwork for some differences that persist today. \nJoanna Innes is Professor Emeritus of Modern History at the University of Oxford and a Senior Research Fellow of Somerville College\, Oxford.  She co-edited the book ‘Re-imagining Democracy in the Age of Revolutions’\, which charts how people’s thinking about democracy changed in the North Atlantic region between the American Revolution and the revolutions of 1848. Also two sequels\, looking at the changing fortunes of democracy in the Mediterranean world and Latin America and the Caribbean. She is currently working on the final volume in the series\, which focusses on central & northern Europe. \nA discount of 20% is on offer to all those purchasing five tickets or more from the series\, excluding the conference on the 4th of July. \n \nTo learn more about Democracy Under Threat and the exciting range of speakers coming up as part of the programme\, don’t forget to follow our Democracy Under Threat Webpage: https://www.brlsi.org/democracyunderthreat/ URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/how-british-american-ideas-about-democracy-first-diverged/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Democracy under Threat,Modern World,World Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/21.7.26-BRITISH-VS-USA-INNES-reformat.jpg GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260713T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260713T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260508T123721Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T125700Z UID:10002231-1783971000-1783976400@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Stalin’s Apostles: The Cambridge Five & the making of the Soviet Empire DESCRIPTION:BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock by surveying the wealth of history and political thinking which underpins our long-held democratic systems and institutions. It explores the laying down of democratic principles from Ancient Athens to the present day\, and takes in current scenarios in international geopolitics\, while considering Britain as its own small island with its own set of political traditions. \nAnd what of those de-stabilizing democracy by working for the other side? Seventy five years ago\, two British diplomats defected to the Soviet Union\, and shocked the world. Evidence emerged about a spy ring ended in the British establishment: the Cambridge Five. But who were they?  \nIn an upcoming talk\, Antonia Senior will tackle the myths surrounding Kim Philby\, Guy Burgess\, Anthony Blunt\, Donald Maclean and John Cairncross. Her talk addresses an overlooked question: How did the Five’s intelligence help Stalin achieve his strategic aims? And she will make it clear that this was not a victimless crime\, but a dark and bloody betrayal\, felt most acutely by the people of Eastern Europe who came under Stalin’s yoke. \nAntonia Senior is a writer\, critic and journalist. She has been the historical fiction reviewer at The Times for the past 14 years. She is a former deputy Business Editor and Leader Writer at the same paper. Her columns and journalism have appeared in\, among others\, The Guardian\, The Spectator\, Unherd and others. On becoming freelance\, Antonia published three novels\, two of which are set during the English Civil Wars. She podcasts as co-host of The History Bok Buffs\, which reviews history books and interviews authors on a range of topics\, including espionage. Antonia’s first work of non-fiction is Stalin’s Apostles: The Cambridge Five and the Making of the Soviet Empire\, which considers the role of the most famous spy ring in history in advancing Stalin’s strategic aims.  \nA discount of 20% is on offer to all those purchasing five tickets or more from the series\, excluding the conference on the 4th of July. \nTo learn more about Democracy Under Threat and the exciting range of speakers coming up as part of the programme\, don’t forget to follow our Democracy Under Threat Webpage: https://www.brlsi.org/democracyunderthreat/ URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/stalins-apostles-the-cambridge-five-the-making-of-the-soviet-empire/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Democracy under Threat,World Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/13.7.26-STALINS-APOSTLES-SENIOR-6.jpg GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260706T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260926T160000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260629T145033Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T095442Z UID:10002301-1783332000-1790438400@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Get 'Snap Happy' at BRLSI this summer! DESCRIPTION:Ready to get ‘Snap Happy’ this summer? Some great summer holiday events are taking place courtesy of BRLSI’s amazing family activities programme Academy of Imagination\, which delivers a host of free and fantastic activities to help you switch off from school and really get those creative juices flowing. \nBRLSI’s current exhibition Worlds Apart is all about the invention of photography\, and the array of exhibits on display should inspire you to take your own amazing photographs. \nWorlds Apart features some incredible examples of early photography from both Bath and China\, but don’t worry\, if you want to know how to bring out your inner Cartier-Bresson\, Leibovitz or Arbus this summer (who?!!!) then you don’t have to wander as far as Shanghai to do it. \nJust head over to the BRLSI building at 16 Queen Square\, Bath and explore all the activities we have on offer. These activities will give you everything you need to become the greatest photographer of the 21st century or fill the time this Summer when your granny and grandad really don’t know what to do with you. \nSelf-guided activities: \n\nTaking a ‘Photo’ Trail around BRLSI’s brilliant exhibition ‘Worlds Apart’ just like a real-life photographer. It’s obligatory to wear shades and a really bad hat! The trail was made by BSU students.\nExperience the world upside down with our amazing Camera Obscura or build a bridge from scratch – just like the ones in their photos of ancient China though not actual life size. Learn the history of photography with one of our exhibition guides for children.\nTouch dagguereotype plates\, rolls of film and peer at negatives on our children’s table.\nExplore stories about our amazing objects using the Academy of Imagination Wonder Wireless. Learn all about our 4.2 billion year old Meteorite\, our present from Charles Darwin\, and our Crimean crosses. It’s behind you!  We forgot to mention the Jurassic crocodile!\n\nBookable workshops: \n\nGetting ‘snap happy’ on one of our amazing Photo Walks around Bath! Would David Bailey have got that Pigeon in Parade Gardens to pose quite as well as you did? Bring your own camera. There are two sessions on Monday 3rd August at 10am and Tuesday 4th August at 10am\nGetting to grips with the fossils\, crystals and bones from BRLSI’s incredible collections as part of their summer Drawing Workshops on line\, texture and tone. Please note\, BRLSI is part of the Royal Society for the Protection of Dinosaurs\, and no live Plesiosaurs or Woolly Mammoths will be allowed to come to harm (or even included) during these sessions. There are two sessions on Tuesday 25 August at 10am and 2pm\nSkulls? Fossils? Feathers? Feeling creative? Join us and your other new friends to create the best storyever in our Story Making Session! There are two sessions on Monday 24 August at 10am and 2pm\nTooling yourself to wow your friends with your ability to play Mancala the next time someone suggests bringing out the Uno for the 999th time! Not only that you’ll get to create games of your own in our Board Game Making Session – There are two sessions Monday 3rd August 2pm and Tuesday 4 August 2pm\n\nRemember! You will need to book the workshops ahead even though it’s free as places are limited\, and you will need to bring your grown up if only to carry your equipment when it gets really heavy. \nAll BRLSI children’s activities this summer are fun and free and BRLSI (Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution\, for unnecessary length) is at 16 Queen Square. We are open at any time during opening hours (Monday to Saturday\, 10am-4pm). URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/get-snap-happy-at-brlsi-this-summer/ LOCATION:Live at 16 Queen Square\, BRLSI 16-18 Queen Square\, Bath\, Somerset\, BA1 2HN\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Academy of Imagination,Families ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Bath-Wiltshire-Parent-13.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T203000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260416T111306Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T095748Z UID:10002221-1783189800-1783197000@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:The only cure: Freud revisited DESCRIPTION:Few figures in psychology have been as influential—or as controversial—as Sigmund Freud. For decades many of his ideas were dismissed as speculative and unscientific. Yet developments in modern neuroscience have prompted a surprising reassessment.  \n\nIn this lecture\, eminent neuroscientist\, best-selling author and Freud editor Mark Solms revisits Freud’s theory of mind in the light of contemporary brain science\, arguing that psychoanalytic therapy is proving to be among our most effective medical treatments of any kind. He will explore what neuroscience now reveals about the unconscious\, the emotional foundations of mental life\, and the mechanisms through which talking therapies can alleviate psychological suffering. \nDrawing on recent clinical research and his latest book The Only Cure – Freud and the Neuroscience of Mental Healing\, Solms will examine how “the talking cure” compares with drug treatment\, and why psychonalysis should resume its position as the most cohenrent and comprehensive theory of the mind. He will also consider why Freud and psychoanalysis have remained so fiercely debated for more than a century.  \n\nMark Solms is Director of Neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town\, Science Director of the American Psychoanalytic Association and editor of the new Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud. URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/the-only-cure-freud-revisited/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Psychology ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/WEBSITE-EVENT-IMAGES-ONLY-3.png GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T160000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T170000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260508T121525Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T125511Z UID:10002245-1783180800-1783184400@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Is Democracy really under threat? with Wera Hobhouse MP\, Thom Oliver\, Andreas Wasmuht\, Paul Jackson DESCRIPTION:The Democracy under Threat series gets to the very roots of democratic principles and practices\, daring to ask the big questions. \nWhat is democracy? If voters are feeling apathy to such an extent that they can’t get out to vote\, are meaningful alternatives available? Is free speech a non-negotiable? Could direct democracy work? Is a deliberate strategy at play to keep the electorate satisfied and stupefied? Should we extend voting rights? \nTo mark the close of our Democracy Under Threat conference\, a panel of speakers including Wera Hobhouse MP\, Thom Oliver (Senior Lecturer in Politics UWE) Andreas Wasmuht (Chair of World Affairs\, BRLSI) and Paul Jackson (Organiser of the Democracy Under Threat Series) identify the current threats to democracy both at home and abroad and ask what remedies are at hand\, if any\, to help ameliorate current problems within our democratic systems. \nYou may wish to make the most of our special offer for this series – buy five watch online tickets for the price of four. Just remember to use the code DUT544 (in the shopping basket page) when purchasing. \nA discount of 20% is on offer to all those purchasing five tickets or more from the series\, excluding the conference on the 4th of July. \nThis booking page is for watch online ticket purchasers – to buy a ticket for the all day in-person event\, follow this link. \n  \n  URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/is-democracy-really-under-threat-with-wera-hobhouse-mp/ LOCATION:Online Only CATEGORIES:Democracy under Threat,Modern World,World Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WEBSITE-EVENT-LISTINGS-FORMAT-6.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T160000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260508T125239Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T125351Z UID:10002230-1783177200-1783180800@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Going\, going\, gone? The erosion of democracy in the USA DESCRIPTION:BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock by surveying the wealth of history and political thinking which underpins our long-held democratic systems and institutions. It explores the laying down of democratic principles from Ancient Athens to the present day\, and takes in current scenarios in international geopolitics\, while considering Britain as its own small island with its own set of political traditions. \nSo what of the U.S.A? The signing of the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the US Constitution heralded in a new era of hope\, based on core principles of power from the people\, limited government\, separation of powers among three branches\, checks and balances\, federalism\, and the protection of individual rights. 250 years on and these principles are being threatened by declining trust in elections\, partisan polarization\, the erosion of democratic norms\, checks and balances\, increased executive power\, and growing political violence. \nKey factors eroding liberal democracy include challenges to electoral integrity\, the weakening of media independence\, the normalization of political violence\, the politicization of the judiciary and law enforcement\, and the growing power of the executive branch. The politicization of the civil service and legal targeting of political opponents and the use of rhetoric of “law and order” to limit political participation threaten to further concentrate power. Political polarization and growing economic inequality have fostered distrust in institutions\, leading many voters to support the populist leaders driving these changes. \nThese developments are reflected in various democracy indices which have downgraded democratic health in the US\, with some showing the US at the threshold of autocracy. \n Join Professors Paul D’Anieri and Rajan Menon in conversation with Andreas Wasmuht as they trace the background to these dangerous developments\, explore their impacts on a global scale\, and finally explore potential future trajectories of Democracy in the US and Democracy in general. \nA discount of 20% is on offer to all those purchasing five tickets or more from the series\, excluding the conference on the 4th of July. \nThis is the watch online booking page for this talk only. To book an in-person ticket for the all-day event\, please go to the Democracy under Threat page here. \nTo learn more about Democracy Under Threat and the exciting range of speakers coming up as part of the programme\, don’t forget to follow our Democracy Under Threat Webpage: https://www.brlsi.org/democracyunderthreat/ \n  URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/going-going-gone-the-erosion-of-democracy-in-the-usa/ LOCATION:Online Only CATEGORIES:Democracy under Threat,World Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/4.7.26-4-EROSION-DEMOCRACY-USA-MENON-DANIERI-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T133000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T143000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260508T152441Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T125213Z UID:10002228-1783171800-1783175400@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Unmoored voices: how voters navigate Britain’s complex democracy DESCRIPTION:BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock by surveying the wealth of history and political thinking which underpins our long-held democratic systems and institutions. It explores the laying down of democratic principles from Ancient Athens to the present day\, and takes in current scenarios in international geopolitics\, while considering Britain as its own small island with its own set of political traditions. \nAs people become less loyal to traditional political parties in Britain\, more voters feel “unmoored” – unsure about where they belong politically.  Drawing on insights from the Qualitative Election Study of Britain\, this talk will use the words of ordinary voters to explore the narratives and prompts they use to navigate the contested and changing political world. \nHow do they decide who deserves praise or blame? And what mental shortcuts are used when they’re not clear who’s responsible for what?   \nThe talk will also look at how these everyday stories shape perceived trust in politics\, participation in democracy\, and beliefs about whether the system is fair – and what might help people to feel more confident in politics and democracy itself. \nDr Thom Oliver (UWE) \nA discount of 20% is on offer to all those purchasing five tickets or more from the series\, excluding the conference on the 4th of July. \nThis is the watch online booking page for this talk only. To book an in-person ticket for the all-day event\, and to learn more about Democracy Under Threat and the exciting range of speakers coming up as part of the programme\, don’t forget to follow our Democracy Under Threat Webpage: https://www.brlsi.org/democracyunderthreat/ URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/unmoored-voices-how-voters-navigate-britains-complex-democracy/ LOCATION:Online Only CATEGORIES:Democracy under Threat,World Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4.7.26-3-Panel-Discussion-with-Wera-Hobhouse.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T113000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T123000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260508T131556Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T124959Z UID:10002227-1783164600-1783168200@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:The role of checks & balances in democracy DESCRIPTION:BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock by surveying the wealth of history and political thinking which underpins our long-held democratic systems and institutions. It explores the laying down of democratic principles from Ancient Athens to the present day\, and takes in current scenarios in international geopolitics\, while considering Britain as its own small island with its own set of political traditions. \nAnd what of the democratic health of Britain? There are two common views on how the UK’s political system functions. One sees power as dangerously concentrated\, and supports reforms designed to strengthen checks and balances. For the other\, those in positions of nominal power are prevented from acting decisively by innumerable constraints\, and reforms need to cut these fetters away. Partisans of these different views do not always listen sufficiently to each other. \nIn this talk\, Professor Alan Renwick will examine the arguments on both sides and assess what conclusions we can reasonably draw about how checks and balances ought to function in the political system. He will then explore implications particularly for debates around electoral reform and ways of deepening public participation in the democratic process.Politics \nProfessor Alan Renwick (University College London) \nA discount of 20% is on offer to all those purchasing five tickets or more from the series\, excluding the conference on the 4th of July. \nThis is the watch online booking page for this talk only. To book an in-person ticket for the all-day event\, please go to the Democracy under Threat page here. \nTo learn more about Democracy Under Threat and the exciting range of speakers coming up as part of the programme\, don’t forget to follow our Democracy Under Threat Webpage: https://www.brlsi.org/democracyunderthreat/ URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/the-role-of-checks-balances-in-democracy/ LOCATION:Online Only CATEGORIES:Democracy under Threat,World Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4.7.26-2-CHECKS-BALANCES-RENWICK-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T110000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260508T150407Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T124807Z UID:10002226-1783159200-1783162800@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Threats to democracy: a historical perspective DESCRIPTION:BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock by surveying the wealth of history and political thinking which underpins our long-held democratic systems and institutions. It explores the laying down of democratic principles from Ancient Athens to the present day\, and takes in current scenarios in international geopolitics\, while considering Britain as its own small island with its own set of political traditions. \nAt present it seems the world is afflicted by a sense of democratic despondency. Experts see diverse countries spread across the world as providing reasons for concern. Authoritarianism is strengthening\, they tell us\, even in countries where democracy was supposedly more established. They include the US under Donald Trump and – perhaps – the UK. This pessimism contrasts significantly with the pessimism of the late twentieth century\, and what was known as the ‘Third Wave’ of international democratisation. \nWhat has happened? How bad is it? And what – if anything – can we do about it? This talk approaches these questions using an historical perspective\, focusing in particular on the past of the UK. \nProfessor Andrew Blick (King’s College London) \nA discount of 20% is on offer to all those purchasing five tickets or more from the series\, excluding the conference on the 4th of July. \nThis is the watch online booking page for this talk only. To book an in-person ticket for the all-day event\, please go to the Democracy under Threat page here. \nTo learn more about Democracy Under Threat and the exciting range of speakers coming up as part of the programme\, don’t forget to follow our Democracy Under Threat Webpage: https://www.brlsi.org/democracyunderthreat/ \n  URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/threats-to-democracy-a-historical-perspective/ LOCATION:Online Only CATEGORIES:BRLSI,Democracy under Threat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/4.7.26-1-THREATS-TO-DEMOCRACY-BLICK-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T093000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T173000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260508T155014Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260703T154720Z UID:10002224-1783157400-1783186200@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Democracy Under Threat conference DESCRIPTION:On July 4th BRLSI will be hosting an all-day conference as part of the Democracy Under Threat series. Here you can get to watch some great speakers and exchange thoughts with fellow attendees over lunch. At the close of play\, a panel which includes Wera Hobhouse\, Member of Parliament for Bath will discuss the issues which have come up throughout the course of the day. \nTo attend the conference\, you can purchase an all-day ticket for Queen Square below\, or if you can’t join us in the building\, you can still livestream individual sessions from the comfort of your own home. All individual sessions are listed here. \nYou may even want to make the most of our special offer for the series – buy five or more watch online tickets for the Democracy under Threat series and get 20% off!   Use the code DUT544 in the offer code box in your basket. \nProgramme: \n9.15 am – Registration at BRLSI (for a 9.45 start.) \n9.45 am Introductions \n10:00-11:00 – Professor Andrew Blick (King’s College London) \nThreats to democracy: a historical perspective \nThe world is afflicted by a sense of democratic despondency. Experts see diverse countries spread across the world as providing reasons for concern. Authoritarianism is strengthening\, they tell us\, even in countries where democracy was supposedly more established. They include the US under Donald Trump and – perhaps – the UK. This pessimism contrasts significantly with the pessimism of the late twentieth century\, and what was known as the ‘Third Wave’ of international democratisation. What has happened? How bad is it? And what – if anything – can we do about it? This talk approaches these questions using an historical perspective\, focusing in particular on the past of the UK. \n11:00-11:30 Break \n11:30-12:30 – Professor Alan Renwick (University College London) \nThe role of checks & balances in democracy \nThere are two common views on how the UK’s political system functions. One sees power as dangerously concentrated\, and supports reforms designed to strengthen checks and balances. For the other\, those in positions of nominal power are prevented from acting decisively by innumerable constraints\, and reforms need to cut these fetters away. Partisans of these different views do not always listen sufficiently to each other. In this talk\, Alan Renwick will examine the arguments on both sides and assess what conclusions we can reasonably draw about how checks and balances ought to function in the political system. He will then explore implications particularly for debates around electoral reform and ways of deepening public participation in the democratic process. \n12:30-13:30 – Lunch break (light sandwich lunch included) \n13:30-14:30 – Dr Thom Oliver (UWE) \nUnmoored voices: how voters navigate Britain’s complex democracy \nAs people become less loyal to traditional political parties in Britain\, more voters feel ‘unmoored’ – unsure about where they belong politically.  Drawing on insights from the Qualitative Election Study of Britain\, this talk will use the words of ordinary voters to explore the narratives and prompts they use to navigate the contested and changing political world. How do they decide who deserves praise or blame?  And what mental shortcuts are used when they’re not clear who’s responsible for what?  The talk will also look at how these everyday stories shape perceived trust in politics\, participation in democracy\, and beliefs about whether the system is fair – and what might help people to feel more confident in politics and democracy itself. \n14:30-15:00 Break \n15:00-16:00 – Professors Paul D’Anieri (University of California at Riverside) & Rajan Menon (City University of New York) in conversation with Andreas Wasmuht (BRLSI Director & World Affairs convenor) \nGoing\, going\, gone: the erosion of democracy in the USA \nThe signing of the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the US Constitution heralded in a new era of hope\, based on core principles of power from the people\, limited government\, separation of powers among three branches\, checks and balances\, federalism\, and the protection of individual rights. 250 years on and these principles are being threatened by declining trust in elections\, partisan polarization\, the erosion of democratic norms\, checks and balances\, increased executive power\, and growing political violence. \nKey factors eroding liberal democracy include challenges to electoral integrity\, the weakening of media independence\, the normalization of political violence\, the politicization of the judiciary and law enforcement\, and the growing power of the executive branch. The politicization of the civil service and legal targeting of political opponents and the use of rhetoric of “law and order” to limit political participation threaten to further concentrate power. Political polarization and growing economic inequality have fostered distrust in institutions\, leading many voters to support the populist leaders driving these changes. These developments are reflected in various democracy indices which have downgraded democratic health in the US\, with some showing the US at the threshold of autocracy. \n Join Professors Paul D’Anieri and Rajan Menon in conversation with Andreas Wasmuht as they trace the background to these dangerous developments\, explore their impacts on a global scale\, and finally explore potential future trajectories of Democracy in the US and Democracy in general. \n16:30-17.30 \nTo mark the close of our Democracy Under Threat conference\, a panel of speakers including Wera Hobhouse MP\, Alan Renwick (Professor of Democratic Politics\, University College London)\, Thom Oliver (Senior Lecturer in Politics in the School of Social Sciences at UWE) Andreas Wasmuht (BRLSI) and Paul Jackson (BRLSI) identify the current threats to democracy both at home and abroad and ask what remedies are at hand\, if any\, to help ameliorate current problems within our democratic systems. Wera Hobhouse will also discuss what the day to day life of a working MP looks like. \n5.30pm close. URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/democracy-under-threat-conference/ LOCATION:Live at 16 Queen Square\, BRLSI 16-18 Queen Square\, Bath\, Somerset\, BA1 2HN\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Democracy under Threat,World Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bluesky-size-1000-x-650-px-6.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260701T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260701T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260511T150251Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T124650Z UID:10002190-1782934200-1782939600@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Democracy & the ancient art of working an audience DESCRIPTION:BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock by surveying the wealth of history and political thinking which underpins our long-held democratic systems and institutions. It explores the laying down of democratic principles from Ancient Athens to the present day\, and takes in current scenarios in international geopolitics\, while considering Britain as its own small island with its own set of political traditions. \nAn upcoming talk in the series asks if performative politics is really such a bad thing? Democracy rests on public persuasion\, says David Wiles\, and persuasion (aka ‘rhetoric’) rests on technique. Democracy and theatre emerged together in Athens as twin arts of public speaking.  The French revolutionaries embraced oratory in the late 18th century\, but the American founding fathers were ambivalent – they were wary about ‘democracy’\, and could not define ‘the people’. Why do we worry about ‘performative’ politics\, and ‘populists’ who construct an image of ‘the people and why have we driven performance from our educational system\, and let social media rob us of a public sphere where people listen as well as orate? Could it possibly be that ancient issues have come home to roost? \nDavid Wiles is a theatre historian who has worked extensively in the fields of Greek and Elizabethan theatre.  He spent most of his career teaching at Royal Holloway\, University of London\, and is now the Emeritus Professor of Drama\, University of Exeter. Recent books include Theatre and Citizenship (2011) and Democracy\, Theatre & Performance (2024)\, both published by Cambridge University Press. He was lead editor of The Cambridge Companion to Theatre History (2013) \nA discount of 20% is on offer to all those purchasing five tickets or more from the series\, excluding the conference on the 4th of July. \nImage: “Give me liberty or give me death! Patrick Henry giving his great speech on the Rights of the Colonies\, before the Virginia Assembly… concluding with the above statement which became the war cry of the Revolution.” \nTo learn more about Democracy Under Threat and the exciting range of speakers coming up as part of the programme\, don’t forget to follow our Democracy Under Threat Webpage: https://www.brlsi.org/democracyunderthreat/ URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/democracy-the-ancient-art-of-working-an-audience/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Democracy under Threat,Modern World,World Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WEBSITE-EVENT-LISTINGS-FORMAT-6.jpg GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260629T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260629T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260318T092438Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T132540Z UID:10002197-1782761400-1782766800@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:The poems of Sylvia Plath DESCRIPTION:If you think Sylvia Plath wrote little more thanThe Bell Jar\, an upcoming talk at BRLSI is for you. A new edition of Sylvia Plath’s poems builds upon decades of research to newly order and date poems and includes previously unpublished juvenilia and extensive notes. Co-editor of the volumeThe Poems of Sylvia Plath (Faber\, 2026) Amanda Golden will join Plath scholar\, Nicola Presley in a conversation about Plath’s poetry\, and her relevance to audiences today. The talk will be followed by a live Q&A with the audience and will be of interest to creative and critical readers alike\, illustrating Plath’s development as a writer. \n  \n \nAmanda Golden \n \nMain image: courtesy of Smith College URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/the-poems-of-sylvia-plath/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Literature,Literature and Humanities,Poetry ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WEBSITE-EVENT-LISTINGS-FORMAT-7.jpg GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260626T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260626T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260409T101531Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260618T135636Z UID:10002213-1782502200-1782507600@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:“Ecocivilization”: making a world that works for all DESCRIPTION:A bold\, practical vision for humanity’s future. \nAs climate chaos\, inequality and social fragmentation intensify\, humanity faces an imminent choice: continue with a system built on extraction and endless growth\, or reimagine civilisation itself. \nLeading thinker Jeremy Lent offers that re-imagination: an ecocivilisation\, grounded in proven design principles of ecosystems and in humankind’s evolved inclination toward justice\, mutuality\, and dignity.  \nJeremy’s book\, Ecocivilization\, doesn’t merely diagnose what’s broken. It reveals how our current civilisation – designed for exploitation\, accumulation\, and elite power – is functioning exactly as it was intended. In its place\, Ecocivilization charts a radical yet feasible alternative. \nLent lays out a world that’s both hopeful and practicable: \n\nTechnology reconfigured to empower people rather than entrench centralised power\nCities designed around wellbeing\, community\, and balance with nature\nDemocracy reinvented so regular citizens – rather than oligarchs – shape collective destiny\nCorporations legally restructured to serve life and people\, not just profit\nEnforceable “Rights of Nature” legislation protecting all of Earth’s sentient beings\n\nBacked by years of research\, Ecocivilization goes beyond critique to articulate a coherent\, achievable vision for humanity’s next chapter. It is both a roadmap and a manifesto—a call to imagine\, and build\, a better future on a regenerated Earth. \nJeremy Lent\, Author and Integrator \n     URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/ecocivilization-making-a-world-that-works-for-all/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Science and Research,Sustainability ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Website-Image-6.jpg GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260624T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260624T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260508T151246Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T074945Z UID:10002196-1782329400-1782334800@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:Can Britain’s two-party system survive? DESCRIPTION:Democracy under threat is BRLSI’s brand new talks programme taking place between now and December 2026. \nWhatever your thoughts about the pressures on our current democracies\, BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock as we collectively take the long view through history and the wealth of political thinking which underpins our long held democratic systems and institutions. \nBut what of our domestic politics? Post-war British politics has for the most part seen power alternate between majority Conservative and Labour governments. However\, at the 2024 election the combined level of support for those two parties fell to its lowest level in a hundred years\, and a record number of seats was won by third parties and independents. \nSince then support for the two parties has fallen yet further\, with as many as five political parties now enjoying significant support. Political scientist John Curtice\, who many of you may recognise for his work for the BBC on election night\, will analyse the reasons behind the change and assess the prospects for the future of British politics. \nProfessor John Curtice\, University of Strathclyde \nTo learn more about Democracy Under Threat and the exciting range of speakers coming up as part of the programme\, don’t forget to follow our Democracy Under Threat Webpage: https://www.brlsi.org/democracyunderthreat/ \n  URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/can-britains-two-party-system-survive/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Democracy under Threat,World Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/24.6.26-two-party-system-6.jpg GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260622T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260622T210000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20260508T153044Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T114218Z UID:10002225-1782156600-1782162000@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:The militarisation of British democracy DESCRIPTION:Democracy under threat is BRLSI’s brand new talks programme taking place between now and December 2026. \nWhatever your thoughts about the pressures on our current democracies\, BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock as we collectively take the long view through history and the wealth of political thinking which underpins our long held democratic systems and institutions. \nBut with its long-held democratic traditions\, is Britain impervious to any perceived push toward authoritarianism? In his book\, The Militarisation of British Democracy\, Professor Paul Dixon argues that the military elite and their allies drove Britain into the disastrous 9/11 wars\, reinforced trends towards authoritarianism\, and are now driving Britain into World War Three.  \nIn Britain\, Dixon says\, the military is the model of a conservative-authoritarian (bureaucratic) organisation and strongly associated with the political Right. Consequently\, the military’s dominant narrative has been that the “noble” military elite and their allies\, rather than “devious” politicians\, should be in control. National unity\, behind conservative-authoritarian\, militarist values\, is necessary to defeat the enemy on the front line but also the “enemy within”. A whole of society approach is necessary to manipulate or manufacture support for war. By contrast\, democracies are ineffective because of their “weakness”\, most particularly their “divisive” pluralism and tendency towards political compromise which leads\, inevitably\, to defeat. \nDo you agree? Join Paul Dixon as he explores how societies begin to strengthen themselves against the rising threat of authoritarianism. \nProfessor Paul Dixon teaches at the universities of Leicester and Queen Mary’s London. His publications include Warrior Nation (2018)\, Performing the Northern Ireland Peace Process (2018)\, (ed) The British Approach to Counterinsurgency (2012)\, Northern Ireland: The Politics of War and Peace (2nd ed. 2008) and The Militarisation of British Democracy (2024) and uses a theatrical metaphor to explain power and the dynamics of politics. \nTo learn more about Democracy Under Threat and the exciting range of speakers coming up as part of the programme\, don’t forget to follow our Democracy Under Threat Webpage: https://www.brlsi.org/democracyunderthreat/ URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/the-militarisation-of-british-democracy/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:Democracy under Threat,World Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/22.6.26-MILITARISATION-DIXON-1-1.jpg GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260606T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260606T123000 DTSTAMP:20261015T012940 CREATED:20250903T163245Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T112341Z UID:10002034-1780743600-1780749000@www.brlsi.org SUMMARY:The Peace of Westphalia: Origins\, Character\, Significance DESCRIPTION:Ready to take your journey of Discovery? Renaissance: Journeys of Discovery at BRLSI is a year-long programme of talks and events exploring the many joys\, revelations and something of the broader cultural legacy of a movement still making waves in the 21st century.  Brunelleschi\, Michelangelo\, Da Vinci\, Martin Luther\, Cervantes\, Shakespeare\, Chaucer\, Machiavelli\, Hieronymus Bosch… if you love culture then you’ll love our new talks series! \nSo what of the Thirty Years War?  A conflict widely seen as a contributory factor in the decline of the Renaissance. \nThe Peace of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years War (1618-48)\, Europe’s most destructive conflict prior to the twentieth century world wars. The peace involved three interrelated treaties which\, together\, are widely accepted as foundations for a modern secular world order composed of sovereign states. \nThis interpretation is not only historically inaccurate\, but it conjures up a model which is no longer fit for purpose in understanding today’s world. This talk will argue that the way to understand Westphalia is to look at the conflict it was intended to settle. Especially\, to understand why that war took so long to resolve. In doing so\, we gain new insight into the problems of resolving complex conflicts in an age of fragmented sovereignty – circumstances which are perhaps more pertinent to today’s problems than the textbook model of an international order defined by sovereign states. \nProfessor Peter H Wilson is the Chichele Professor of the History of War at the University of Oxford\, and a Fellow of All Souls College. His work has been translated into Chinese\, French\, German\, Italian\, Japanese\, Korean\, Macedonian\, Polish\, Spanish\, and Swedish\, and includes Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-speaking Peoples since 1500 (2022)\, The Holy Roman Empire: A Thousand Years of Europe’s History (2016)\, and Europe’s Tragedy: A History of the Thirty Years War (2009). \n \nAhead of our Peace of Westphalia talk: what was the Thirty Years war and how did it impact upon the Renaissance? \n \n  URL:https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/the-peace-of-westphalia-origins-character-significance/ LOCATION:Queen Square or Online\, 16 Queen Square\, Bath\, BA1 2HN CATEGORIES:History & Culture,History, Culture and Geography,Military History,Renaissance ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.brlsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WEBSITE-EVENT-IMAGES-ONLY.png GEO:51.3831149;-2.3643471 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Queen Square or Online 16 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HN;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=16 Queen Square:geo:-2.3643471,51.3831149 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR