Event Schedule

Opening Ceremony

Main Stage Featuring Bec Hill.

Bitch: Busting Stale Female Stereotypes

Main Stage Our preconceptions about what is means to be female have been shaped by centuries of sexist and heteronormative bias. Charles Darwin is largely to blame. The father of evolutionary biology was a genius, but he was also a man of his time. So, when it came to describing the female of the species, she came out shaped like a Victorian housewife: passive, coy and submissive. Because of Darwin’s reputation these patriarchal stereotypes of femininity still haunt science and culture. Try telling a female spotted hyena the need to be passive and coy and she’ll laugh in your face. After she’s bitten it off.

The truth is female animals can be just as competitive, aggressive, promiscuous, and commanding as males. In this fascinating and funny talk Lucy Cooke showcases females, and the scientists studying them who are redefining the female of the species. You’ll meet post-menopausal orcas whose wisdom leads their cultured society, primates whose promiscuity is a maternal strategy, murderous meerkat matriarchs, ‘lesbian’ albatross couples that partner up to raise their chicks without males, and lizards that have dispensed with males altogether and reproduce solely by cloning.

My Decision, My Way Out, My Time: Dying with Medical Aid in America

Main Stage Medical aid in dying is a legal protection allowing patients with a prognosis of less than six months to receive a prescription for a lethal dose of medication with the express purpose of hastening death. In this talk, clinical psychologist Dr Cara Santa Maria will share what she has learned from interviewing American patients who chose to die with medical aid. Situated within an existential-humanistic frame, her research aims to increase awareness of options at the end of life.

Taboo or Not Taboo?

Panel Room Throughout history, social taboos have served to subjugate, marginalise, and discriminate against groups. Yet at the same time, they have provided (and continue to provide) societal protection from harmful behaviour.

But what exactly is a taboo, what causes something to be considered taboo, and why do taboos differ from society to society? Is it your duty as a citizen to follow taboos, or should we seek to challenge and break them? And does the answer depend on the type of taboo, and why it has arisen? Featuring James Williams, Aaron Rabinowitz, Kirsty Sedgman, and chair Andy Wilson.

Tactics of Toxicity: the rhetorical and algorithmic reach of male supremacism online

Main Stage Male supremacist groups online are growing, both in terms of numbers and of the reach or amplification of their ideas. Prof Debbie Ging considers the various digitally-enhanced tactics used by online men’s rights formations, both to intimidate and silence women and girls as well as to radicalise and recruit boys and men. I show how digital abuse and intimidation have become instrumental to the dynamics of male violence against women - both personal and political—and underline the urgency for legal, educational and platform-governance interventions.

Fairies, Folklore and Forteana

Panel Room Human beings are storytelling creatures. Stories are the way we make sense of the world, the events that affect our lives, and the things that keep us awake at night. For centuries, societies across Europe have told tales of fairies, nymphs and other fae creatures that might cross our paths... occasionally with ill intent. Legends have been shared of the monsters that are said to inhabit the shadows at the edges of society, and at the edges of our psyche, as a warning to any who might stray from the light. And just because some of those stories aren’t true, that doesn’t mean they aren’t meaningful—even an untrue story can tell us something about the things we dread.

Featuring Dr David Clarke, Deborah Hyde, Claire Klingenberg, and chair Hayley Stevens.

Skeptics with a K

Live Podcast Join hosts Mike Hall, Michael Marshall, and Dr Alice Howarth as they unravel myths, expose pseudoscience, and celebrate reason, compassion, and critical thinking. This long-running podcast, brought to you by the Merseyside Skeptics Society, promises mind-bending discussions, hearty laughter, and a touch of self-deprecating humour. This promises to be an unforgettable live show experience, and it’s always a packed house. It’s a show not to be missed! Unless you do, of course, in which case that’s fine.

How to Read a Scientific Paper

Workshop When outrageous claims are made in the media, skeptics often want to challenge them, and hold them up to scrutiny. Where they are based on published studies, that can mean going to the primary source and trying to get our heads around complicated scientific papers—no mean feat for the lay person. Being able to read and understand scientific papers is a valuable skill for a skeptic to have, to figure out whether the latest ground-breaking treatment really is as wondrous as the tabloid headlines suggest.

How to Read a Scientific Paper will help attendees pick their way through academic publications to learn what to look out for, and how to spot potential issues and red flags. Hosted by Dr Anja Harrison. Repeated Sunday at 11.10am.

Does the UK need a 'Body Farm'?

Main Stage ‘Body Farms’ (or Human Taphonomy Facilities as they are more correctly known) are outdoor laboratories where donated human cadavers are used for forensic research. Currently, there are eleven such facilities in USA, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands, but there is not one in the UK. This highly illustrated talk (NB graphic images) Anna Williams tells the story behind the unique outdoor forensic laboratories, and discusses the research conducted at them. She will detail how and why there isn't a similar facility in the UK, explore the reasons for and against them, and discusses public opinion towards them, in order to stimulate healthy debate.

Hot women in your area: Why Everyone Needs to Know About Menopause

Panel Room Menopause seems to be receiving more attention now than ever before... undoubtedly a good thing, given that many women are simply not prepared for the myriad symptoms they can experience (clue: it’s not just about hot flushes). But with that welcome attention comes, inevitably, a multitude of proposed solutions promoted by the ever-growing wellness industry. How can women and the people in their lives wade through all the good and bad advice they are given, make sense of the myths around solutions like HRT, and put into context the increased risks of conditions like breast cancer and dementia? Featuring Dr Clio Bellenis, Anita Powell, and chair Nicola Throp.

Testing the Paranormal

Workshop We often see extraordinary claims being made about unusual and unlikely skills, talents and abilities. And while the world would be enormously exciting if we could find someone who could really read minds, talk to the dead, predict the future, or manipulate objects with the power of thought, before we believe that these things are real, we’re going to need to see some evidence.

This is where skeptics come in, and testing paranormal claims has been a regular part of skeptical activism, stretching all the way back as far as the great Harry Houdini. But how does one verify unusual claims? How can tests be designed to allow genuine skills to flourish, while thwarting the would-be faker? What controls need to be put in place to be as fair as possible, without sacrificing rigour and reason? And how can we distinguish between a real result and a fortunate fluke? Hosted by Prof Chris French. Repeated Sunday at 1.10pm.

Embrace the Void

Live Podcast A philosophy and politics podcast for surviving life in the worst of all possible timelines. Hosted by Aaron Rabinowitz, a moral educator with over a decade of experience making philosophy accessible and useful to everyone, ETV features discussions with expert guests on a variety of topics, ranging from the current wave of White Christian Nationalism to the Philosophy of Heavy Metal. For this live edition at QED, Aaron will be interviewing Prof Debbie Ging on the topic of digital hate, men’s rights politics, and incel subculture.

Why Investigate the Paranormal?

Main Stage Scientists, soldiers, con artists, magicians... paranormal research had its golden period across the twentieth century. If such results, or rather the lack of them, had been in any other field, it would not have continued. Yet, we see that research into various paranormal abilities is still going on, both within skeptical organizations and in private laboratories. What is the point of continuing to test for supernatural abilities, even for those of us who have resigned ourselves to the fact that a positive result is unlikely to occur? Claire Klingenberg will talk about the history of paranormal research, its current form, and its new function as an excellent tool for teaching critical thinking and the scientific method.

UFOs, UAPs, and the Quest for Understanding

Panel Room In an age of omnipresent camera technology and advanced image and video manipulation tools, ufology has witnessed a renaissance. This year has even seen public hearings in Washington DC, airing the evidence (or lack thereof) for what are now often known as Unidentified Anomolous Phenomena (UAPs). This recent resurgence, further fueled by modern perspectives on news, facts, and conspiracies, has solidified for many people the notion that UFOs and UAPs represent hidden truths concealed by governments.

How should we interpret the contemporary narratives surrounding these phenomena? As the discourse becomes increasingly fervent, what insights can history provide, particularly from eras captivated by flying saucers and tales of alien abductions? Moreover, how can we better define and understand the term ‘trained observer’ within this context? Featuring Dr David Clarke, Andrew Robinson, and chair Rick Owen.

How To Write Skeptically

Workshop This workshop is designed to help you turn your skills, knowledge and passion as a skeptic into blog-posts or articles for publication. Whether you are looking to share your expertise or research, wondering whether you can turn your social media arguments into long-form content, or are just driven by a passion to find stuff out and share it with the world, this interactive writing workshop will show you how you can make a difference, and have fun doing it! This workshop will explore what you might write about, how to craft it for a wider audience, and how you can get it published. Hosted by Mark Horne. Repeated Sunday at 2.10pm.

The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories

Main Stage Conspiracy theories have gained widespread popularity, attributing blame to governments, scientists, and others for a range of events, including virus outbreaks, terrorist acts, high-profile deaths, and even plane crashes. Surprisingly, millions of people subscribe to at least one conspiracy theory, raising questions about their appeal and potential harm. Are these beliefs merely harmless entertainment, or is there a deeper impact on society? Join Dr Daniel Jolley as he explores the psychology behind conspiracy theories. Drawing on his research, he will demonstrate how any of us could find a conspiracy theory appealing under the right circumstances and shed light on how such beliefs can disrupt the smooth functioning of societies. Dr Jolley will also discuss ongoing research efforts to develop tools to address the negative effects of conspiracy theories on individuals and society.

False Memories and Satanic Abuse

Panel Room Psychological research has proven to us time and again that even the memories that we see as being fundamental to who we are and how we see ourselves are prone to bias, distortion, and even outright fabrication. For most of us, the way our memories warp and skew away from the facts can be relatively innocuous, but even inadvertent massaging and implanting of memories can have disastrous consequences - as we saw during the ‘Satanic Panic’ of the 1980s, where ‘recovered’ memories of ritualistic abuse were used to justify a sweeping moral panic, and a swathe of false arrests and imprisonment. And while we like to tell ourselves those events are in the past, there are still therapists using flawed techniques to ‘recover’—or accidentally create—memories of Satanic abuse, even contributing to the rise of the QAnon conspiracy movement. Featuring Kevin Felstead, Prof Chris French, Prof Ciara Greene, and chair Deborah Hyde.

InKredulous

Live Podcast Step into the world of InKredulous and experience a live comedy panel show like no other! Featuring topical tales, mind-boggling myths, and side-splitting satire, InKredulous is where skepticism gets a hilarious twist. It’s the podcast you love, but live and unfiltered! Our esteemed panel will include Jordan Holmes, Cara Santa Maria, Michael Marshall, and as always your host Andy Wilson. It is always an electrifying experience—so seeing InKredulous live is guaranteed to leave you both entertained and enlightened.

Saturday Night at QED

Main Stage Featuring the Ockham Awards, followed by music and comedy with Helen Arney, Siân Docksey, and Ahir Shah.

The Secret, Esoteric, Hidden Truth About Alex Jones

Main Stage Alex Jones is one of the most high profile figures in media, but how much does anyone pay attention to what he actually says or believes? In the absence of much real coverage of his beliefs, that vacuum has been filled with a lot of half-truths and outright fabrications that serve to paint a convenient portrait, but is that portrait accurate? Obviously, it's not, but in what ways? In this talk, Dan Friesen will explore these questions, and discuss the various points that everyone misses about Alex's career and the media ecosystem he inhabits.

On Being Unreasonable

Main Stage We're living in an age of division. From abortion rights to immigration, gun control to climate change, civil debate has gone out the window. Everywhere we look, bad behaviour seems to be getting worse. The social contract is breaking down. Why can't we all be reasonable? The trouble is, what's 'reasonable' to one person is outrageous to another. Drawing on examples from public transport to civil protest to the 'reasonable man' standard in law, Kirsty Sedgman explores the judgment mechanisms we use to draw lines between acceptable and unacceptable, appropriate and inappropriate, legal and illegal, good and bad. In a world where we all think we're being reasonable, how can we figure out what's right? And when do we need to give ourselves and others permission to break the rules in pursuit of positive social change?

School Daze

Panel Room Well into the digital age, social media seems more inescapable than ever. A wealth of data is at our fingertips, but it’s littered with fake news, misinformation, and extremism. How do we protect vulnerable schoolchildren from the avalanche of nonsense on social media, and raise a generation of scientifically informed critical thinkers? Or should we even try?

Andrew Tate and similar ‘personalities’ have jumped straight from the YouTube sidebar to schoolyards across the country. Teenage boys challenge their teachers, insisting that they are now ‘the alpha’. When the government insists that education which does not directly lead to employment is a waste of time, how can parents and teachers cooperate to inoculate our kids against those who peddle easy answers to difficult problems? Featuring Andrew Brennand, Dr Debbie Ging, and chair Lana Donaghy.

How to Read a Scientific Paper

Workshop Repeated from Saturday. How to Read a Scientific Paper will help attendees pick their way through academic publications to learn what to look out for, and how to spot potential issues and red flags. Hosted by Dr Anja Harrison.

Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Live Podcast On each episode of Talk Nerdy, award-winning journalist, science communicator, and now clinical psychologist Dr Cara Santa Maria speaks with fascinating people from the worlds of science, politics, atheism and beyond, for an in-depth and candid conversation. Always an engaging and enlightening experience, guaranteed to leave you inspired and informed. Talk Nerdy is returning to the QED podcast room for the first time since 2016, when it formed part of our first ever dedicated podcast track.

Almost everything you (n)ever wanted to know about alcohol

Main Stage Is a glass of wine a day good for your heart, or will it give you cancer? Should we have different drinking guidelines for men and women? Has the pandemic killed the Great British pub? Are we on course to become a nation of teetotallers? In this talk, Colin Angus will explore the data and evidence around alcohol consumption and health and attempt to answer these and other questions about our relationship with alcohol and how this has changed over time.

False promises: the dangers of alternative medicine in cancer care

Panel Room Throughout our lifetimes, one in every two people will develop some form of cancer, and every one of us know someone in our lives who have been treated for the disease. While treatments have advanced greatly over the last few decades, receiving a cancer diagnosis remains a traumatic and scary experience, and one that often sends patients searching for answers. Sadly, the alternative medicine industry has no lack of false promise to offer them.

In this panel of skeptics, activists, patients and experts, we’ll discuss what conventional cancer treatment looks like, what pseudoscientific treatments target patients, and how it feels to be bombarded with fake cures while undergoing treatment for the disease. Featuring Dr Alice Howarth, Crispian Jago, Laura Eggo, Brian Eggo, and chair Michael Marshall.

Testing the Paranormal

Workshop Repeated from Saturday. Testing paranormal claims has been a regular part of skeptical activism, stretching all the way back as far as the great Harry Houdini. But how does one verify unusual claims? How can tests be designed to allow genuine skills to flourish, while thwarting the would-be faker? What controls need to be put in place to be as fair as possible, without sacrificing rigour and reason? And how can we distinguish between a real result and a fortunate fluke? Hosted by Prof Chris French.

Knowledge Fight

Live Podcast For years, one could listen to The Alex Jones Show , chuckle about how absurd he is, and thank your preferred deity that he's so far from being relevant that he's basically screaming into the void. As the world grew more troubling, the lies that Jones peddled on his show and website began to influence people with legitimate power. Dan Friesen and Jordan Holmes started Knowledge Fight in the belief that fighting against the deeply flawed philosophies of Alex Jones through debate is a fool's errand. Mocking and documenting are far more powerful tools.

What Everyone Needs to Know About Reproductive Health

Main Stage Chances are you have never been taught about how your body works. Whether you want children or not, it is important to understand reproductive health. Often labelled as women’s issues, reproductive health is important for men to understand too. Men are fertile their whole lives, but fertility is affected by age. Women are only fertile from puberty to menopause, when their bodies are dominated by their menstrual cycle which is controlled by powerful hormones. And at the end of a women’s fertile years, they have menopause. Prof Joyce Harper will demystify reproductive health for all.

Much Ado About Nothing: Why is Science Obsessed with the Placebo Effect?

Panel Room In 2001, the New England Journal published ‘Is the Placebo Powerless?’, a systematic review which found that the supposedly powerful effect of placebo administration could not be distinguished from bias.

Two decades later, the ‘powerful placebo’ remains the darling of scientists and science communicators, who continue to extoll its amazing benefits with breathless excitement. What is it about the placebo effect which so entrances doctors and researchers? Why does it invite such sloppy methodological thinking? And what can placebo effect researchers learn from parapsychologists? Featuring Chris French, Mike Hall, Catherine de Jong, Aaron Rabinowitz, and chair Rick Owen.

How To Write Skeptically

Workshop Reapted from Saturday. Whether you are looking to share your expertise or research, wondering whether you can turn your social media arguments into long-form content, or are just driven by a passion to find stuff out and share it with the world, this interactive writing workshop will show you how you can make a difference, and have fun doing it! Hosted by Mark Horne. Repeated Sunday at 2.10pm.

Bakineering: Embracing the Unexpected

Main Stage Engineering underpins almost every aspect of our daily lives but, with a looming skills shortage, a new approach is needed to excite and engage people into the profession. Following a stint baking in a tent on television, Andrew Smyth will discuss his creation, ‘bakineering’, which he believes is part of the solution. Using baked analogies to illustrate cutting-edge engineering, he'll discuss some surprising connections between innovation and the oven, how he managed to convince Netflix to commission a show about it and why we should embrace the unexpected combinations in our own lives. Expect to have your curiosity whisked up...