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X-WR-CALNAME:Festival of Ideas
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Festival of Ideas
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T153000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T163000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260518T080058Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260518T080523Z
UID:10000667-1783092600-1783096200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Screening Siblings: Brothers and Sisters on Film
DESCRIPTION:What can brothers and sisters on film tell us about the state of a nation? In the 21st century\, siblings are everywhere on screen\, from superhero blockbusters to horror films\, teen movies and slice-of-life dramas. Dr Katie Barnett\, senior lecturer in Film Studies and the author of Screening Siblings in Contemporary American Film (Bloomsbury\, July 2026)\, explores what this shift towards horizontal relationships on screen reveals about power\, politics\, and changing ideas of family. \nsibstack.substack.com
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/screening-siblings-brothers-and-sisters-on-film/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/49.-Screening-Siblings.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T180000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260518T080000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260522T145048Z
UID:10000729-1783098000-1783101600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Queering Britain:  Keeping LGBTQ Stories Alive
DESCRIPTION:This research began in Blackpool\, exploring its rich drag scene and LGBTQ+ histories. It has since grown into a wider project gathering stories from towns and cities across the UK. Through voices that connect generations and place\, Helen is starting to explore how identity is shaped by place and heritage. Reflecting on the legacy of Section 28\, preserving and sharing these stories publicly matters now more than ever. This talk will focus on stories from the seaside town of Blackpool.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/queering-britain-keeping-lgbtq-stories-alive/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/39-Queering-Britian.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260518T080002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T152135Z
UID:10000678-1783166400-1783170000@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Making Academic Literature Accessible Through Comics
DESCRIPTION:The session is built around Captain Knowledge and Graphic Leadership\, projects that were undertaken to make academic literature/theory/research more accessible. Captain Knowledge explores the lived experiences of teachers in a UK sixth-form college\, and presents the findings in comic format to engage the wider population and those outside of academia. Whereas Graphic Leadership focuses on using comic literature to teach leadership theory to students at varying levels. The talk covers the research that informed both projects and the specific production process\, before presenting for the first time the semi-animated version of the Captain Knowledge comic.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/making-academic-literature-accessible-through-comics/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/000.-Generic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T140000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260518T080001Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260518T080737Z
UID:10000732-1783170000-1783173600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Tapping into calm with EFT: A practical technique for daily life
DESCRIPTION:Discover ‘Tapping’ (Emotional Freedom Techniques)\, a gentle and effective way to quieten a busy mind and relax your body in minutes.\nThis friendly\, informal and practical workshop teaches you how to tap on specific points to release tension and feel more grounded.\nNo special equipment or experience is needed – just a curious mind.\nYou’ll leave with a practical “calm kit” you can use anywhere\, helping you handle life’s ups and downs with more ease\, confidence\, and peace of mind. \nwww.tapintotransformation.co.uk\nhttps://www.instagram.com/tap_into_transformation
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/tapping-into-calm-with-eft-a-practical-technique-for-daily-life/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/000.-Generic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T140000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260518T080031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T144045Z
UID:10000731-1783170000-1783173600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Improving biodiversity in your space - A Network for Nature with Chester Zoo
DESCRIPTION:Join Chester Zoo to discover how communities across Cheshire West are connecting habitats\, monitoring wildlife\, and transforming local spaces through the Networks for Nature initiative. This session reveals inspiring progress\, showcases easy tools anyone can use\, and invites attendees to see how small collective actions can support ecosystems and boost biodiversity. \nhttps://www.chesterzoo.org/conservation-science-education/global-conservation-programmes/conservation-campaigns/networks-for-nature
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/improving-biodiversity-in-your-space-a-network-for-nature/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NFN-banner.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T150000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260107T070044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T144731Z
UID:10000636-1783173600-1783177200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Mya-Rose Craig: In Conversation
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr Mya-Rose Craig\, a remarkable environmentalist whose journey began as a young birdwatcher and led to the founding of Black2Nature – a movement championing ethnic diversity in nature conservation and the environment. Mya-Rose will share how focus\, motivation\, and commitment can turn passion into meaningful action. Don’t miss this chance for an optimistic look at how we can better engage young people\, particularly\, in care for nature. \nReflecting the University of Chester’s commitment to dialogue and partnership with young people to address social and environmental issues\, Mya-Rose will be in conversation with Dr Rebecca Collins. Rebecca is the Director of the University’s Sustainability and Environment Research and Knowledge Exchange Institute (SERKEI)\, which brings together over 150 researchers with expertise relevant to sustainability and the future of our environments.  She also leads the university’s work to embed learning for sustainability across undergraduate curricula.  She is particularly passionate about how we can best engage young people in how to care for nature\, in the face of so much anxiety about the future. \n 
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/7304/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:In Conversation Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/image.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T153000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260518T080002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T144922Z
UID:10000722-1783175400-1783179000@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Sutures- A film made to highlight the perils of working in the NHS
DESCRIPTION:Sutures is a short film made in the skills unit at the University of Chester that has won awards at several film festivals both locally and internationally. It is used as an educational tool for student nurses to educate\, enlighten and entertain. The film highlights the issues facing a group of nurses and patients in the modern NHS.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/sutures-a-film-made-to-highlight-the-perils-of-working-in-the-nhs/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/80.-Sutures-scaled-e1777391072680.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T160000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T170000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260121T182350Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T145504Z
UID:10000652-1783180800-1783184400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Dame Jenny Harries: In Conversation
DESCRIPTION:Join Dame Jenny Harries for an in-conversation event exploring a life in public service. From frontline medicine to national leadership\, Jenny will reflect on pivotal moments and challenges in her career\, offering candid insights into resilience\, decision-making\, and purpose across an extraordinary career dedicated to public health and leadership.\n\n\nJenny will be in conversation with Dr Kirstie Simpson\, acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science\, Business and Enterprise at the University of Chester.  A champion of women’s leadership\, Kirstie is committed to inspiring inclusive leadership at all levels of the organisations with which she works\, and was selected as one of the North West Business Leadership Team’s ‘Rising Stars’ – a network of female business leaders.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/dame-jenny-harries-in-conversation/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:In Conversation Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Jenny-Harries-Chancellor-7.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T160000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T170000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260518T080003Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T145527Z
UID:10000695-1783180800-1783184400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Historic Shot Tower: A symbol of creative ideas in the industry of Chester.
DESCRIPTION:Little is known of Chester’s industries\, yet Chester was the base for companies with an international reach. Our iconic shot tower is one of the earliest and surviving part of the leadworks\, the city’s largest lead manufactory. It is appropriate therefore that the presentation should begin with its huge presence. Nearby industries will also be looked at in addition to other significant ones in the City.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-historic-shot-tower-a-symbol-of-creative-ideas-in-the-industry-of-chester/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/77.-The-Historic-Shot-Tower.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T120000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260518T080049Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T150011Z
UID:10000682-1783249200-1783252800@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Mindfulness and self-compassion in an uncertain world:  A 60-minute experiential session for the Festival of Ideas
DESCRIPTION:Join this session for a gentle\, practical introduction to mindfulness and self-compassion in uncertain times. Through simple guided exercises\, reflection and discussion\, you’ll explore how to steady your mind and respond to challenges with greater kindness. No experience needed\, just curiosity and an openness to pause\, breathe and reconnect.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/mindfulness-and-self-compassion-in-an-uncertain-world-a-60-minute-experiential-session-for-the-festival-of-ideas/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Interactive / Creative Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/79.-Mindfulness-and-self-compassion.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T130000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260518T080007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T150138Z
UID:10000685-1783252800-1783256400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Victorian Boots and Neon Lights\, or how we messed with Chester Grosvenor Museum’s historic collections
DESCRIPTION:What happens if items from an historic museum collection are brought together with everyday goods and services available nearby? International artists’ team Grennan & Sperandio decided to find out – in Chester! In this entertaining talk\, watch as they manage to get a foot in the door and create six new sculptures. Learn the differences between collections and landfill. See how the histories of the high street connect past and present\, making places that travel through time.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/victorian-boots-and-neon-lights-or-how-we-messed-with-chester-grosvenor-museums-historic-collections/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/89.-Victorian-Boots-and-Neon-Lights.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T140000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260518T080054Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T152441Z
UID:10000688-1783256400-1783260000@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:In Conversation with Lucy Andrew\, author of A Very Vexing Murder
DESCRIPTION:Join Dr Lucy Andrew\, former Senior Literature in English Literature at the University of Chester\, as she introduces her debut novel\, A Very Vexing Murder\, a cosy crime retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma\, and discusses her path to becoming a published author.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/in-conversation-with-lucy-andrew-author-of-a-very-vexing-murder/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/57.-In-conversation-with-Lucy-Andrew.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T133000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T143000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260518T080057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T152522Z
UID:10000690-1783258200-1783261800@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:'How NOT to Flee a War'
DESCRIPTION:How NOT to Flee a War is a first-hand talk by Ukrainian journalist Maria Romanenko\, co-presented with her partner Jez Myers\, telling the story of their attempt to escape Kyiv as Russia launched its full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022.\nWhat begins as a surreal morning of explosions and disbelief quickly becomes a frantic and uncertain decision: whether to stay\, where to go\, and how to leave a city rapidly emptying under threat. Built around their real journey out of Ukraine\, the talk uses personal storytelling and images from the road to show what the first days of invasion felt like from the inside.\nRather than a polished narrative of survival\, Maria and Jez describe the experience with blunt honesty and dark humour – the endless traffic\, exhaustion\, panic\, misinformation\, and the reality of borders under pressure. Through Maria’s perspective as a Ukrainian\, and Jez’s as a British partner caught inside the unfolding disaster\, the talk becomes both a gripping personal account and a wider reflection on displacement\, resilience\, and what it means to lose your home overnight. \nBiographies\nMaria Romanenko is a Ukrainian journalist and co-founder of All For Ukraine. Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Hromadske International\, one of Ukraine’s best-known news organisations\, she is the only Ukrainian recipient of the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award. Since relocating to the UK\, Maria has focused on supporting displaced Ukrainians and raising awareness through talks\, including the widely delivered How NOT to Flee a War. She has conducted over 1\,000 mainstream media interviews since arriving in the UK and is a regular commentator across national and international channels.\nJez Myers is a community champion and CEO of All For Ukraine. A recipient of Manchester City Council’s prestigious Pride of Manchester Award\, he brings a dual background in business consultancy and civic engagement. After fleeing Ukraine with Maria\, Jez has advised local and national bodies on supporting displaced Ukrainians\, as well as assisting multiple Ukrainian charities. He is also Chairperson of the Spirit of Manchester Awards\, the largest voluntary sector awards in the North West of England.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/how-not-to-flee-a-war/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/21.-How-NOT-to-flee-a-war.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T150000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260518T080048Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T152458Z
UID:10000689-1783260000-1783263600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The science of fuelling for endurance sports: what's on the plate?
DESCRIPTION:Ever wondered how athletes fuel their endurance engines? This session will explore how ‘the plate’ of an endurance athlete can influence their performance. We will uncover the science behind nutritional strategies to enhance endurance performance\, discussing key controversies such as the carbohydrate vs. fat debate. The session will be led by Dr Ed Gray\, Lecturer in Applied Sport Physiology. Ed is currently conducting research investigating how different fuelling approaches influence exercise.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-science-of-fuelling-for-endurance-sports-whats-on-the-plate/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/32.-The-science-of-fuelling-for-endurance-sports-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T153000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260518T080043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T152542Z
UID:10000714-1783261800-1783265400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Merlin's Isle: Acclaimed poet Malcolm Guite's explores the Christian elements to the myth and why it has been eroded
DESCRIPTION:The Merlin’s Isle epic ballad series is acclaimed poet Malcolm Guite’s masterwork\, a lifetime in the making. Malcolm Guite is the former Chaplain of Girton College\, Cambridge. A performance poet and singer/songwriter\, he lectures widely on poetry and theology in Britain and the US. His latest book blends myth\, theology\, and lyrical mastery. Guite re-enchants the legend of King Arthur for a new generation\, restoring its original power and mystery in this sweeping four-volume series.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/merlins-isle-acclaimed-poet-malcolm-guites-explores-the-christian-elements-to-the-myth-and-why-it-has-been-eroded/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/36.-Merlins-Isle.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T160000
DTSTAMP:20260526T171156
CREATED:20260518T080052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T150633Z
UID:10000691-1783263600-1783267200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Interviewing the IRA: Criminological Approaches to Research in Post-Conflict Zones
DESCRIPTION:Discover the untold stories of Strabane\, one of the forgotten frontlines of the Northern Ireland Troubles. This talk explores the lived experiences of those who grew up or took part in the conflict\, showing how their memories\, identities\, and communities have shaped life in a post-conflict society. \n  \nThe talk will engage with themes related to political violence\, conflict\, and lived experiences of the Northern Ireland Troubles. While the session will be handled sensitively and will not include graphic detail\, some audience members may find the topics emotionally challenging
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/interviewing-the-ira-criminological-approaches-to-research-in-post-conflict-zones/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/88.-Interviewing-the-IRA.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR