Enriching debate

The British Academy Debates were launched in 2014 to contribute to the public understanding of some of the greatest challenges and issues of our time. They build on the argument set out in the Academy’s multimedia publication Prospering Wisely: How the Humanities and Social Sciences Enrich our Lives. This argument makes clear that Britain needs a new national conversation, with these subjects at its centre.

The debates aim to show the humanities and social sciences “at work”—to demonstrate how they help us to understand the nature of the challenges and issues we face as societies, as economies and as individuals. They also demonstrate how new insights from research can challenge and question existing assumptions, illuminate dilemmas and help us explore possible new directions and choices—and so push forward political and public debate.

For our fifth series of debates, the British Academy, with support from Prospect, focused on the subject of faith. With events in England and Northern Ireland, the series allowed audiences to listen to experts’ views, and have their say about a topic that has become increasingly prominent in domestic debate and global affairs.

The first debate, held in London in January, examined the religious make-up of the UK and asked what role religion should have in modern-day Britain. The focus of our second debate in Newcastle upon Tyne in February was on the interplay between faith and conflict, as our panellists questioned whether religion is a source of division and tension rather than a force for good. The series concluded in Belfast in March with a debate exploring the challenges of religious extremism in our modern, technologically advanced age. (See reports on pages 4-7.)

Three lectures also took place during our faith season. Professor Linda Woodhead opened with a lecture that investigated “Why ‘no religion’ is the new religion” in the UK. For more information on the research findings which shaped her lecture, please turn to page 9.

I would like to thank our media partner Prospect in addition to all those who contributed to the debates and wider faith season, as planners, speakers and chairs. You can find out more, listen to podcasts of the debates and watch videos of selected events online at www.britishacademy.ac.uk/faith. A copy of the Academy’s latest international policy report, which explores the role of religion in conflict and peace-building, can also be downloaded.