sixth-form debating competition
student, Exeter University & founder of Exeter University Speak Easy Society Jack Barwell is a student at Exeter University studying BA politics, having just finished his 2nd year. At secondary school he set up his own debating competition with all the schools in his trust called the folio trust speaking challenge for year 6 and …
politics student at the University of Warwick Vinay is a 19-year-old Politics student at the University of Warwick. He previously attended John Lyon, Harrow where he served as Head Boy in his final year. Vinay maintains a strong interest in Public Speaking, achieving Distinction in his LAMDA Grade 8 exam. He currently serves as Social …
writer and commentator Jo-Anne Nadler is a writer and commentator, known for analysing the changing fortunes of the Conservative Party. She spent ten years as a producer and reporter with the BBC before going freelance to concentrate on publishing and broadcasting. Jo-Anne is the author of 2 books and contributor to many newspapers and magazines, …
student and co-founder of SpeakEasy Omar Loubak Mohamed is a Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) student at Royal Holloway and a former committee member of the debating society which he subsequently left due to the disinvitation of Baroness Fox. He is the co-founder of a new society called SpeakEasy, based on upholding the values of …
lecturer; writer; acting & vocal trainer; co-host of the Performance Anxiety podcast Dr Maren Thom has worked in film and theatre, and teaches film, speech and stage-work at university level. Her research and writing focuses on performance and representation as both social and artistic concepts. After working in academia she is now a freelance writer …
Engineering Program Manager in International Infrastructure Ben is an engineering graduate from the University of Sheffield. Since graduating he has worked on international infrastructure projects at a major tech firm as an engineering project manager. The most notable project he has contributed to being the 2Africa cable system, landing in 3 continents and at commencement …
political & communications director, Centre for Social Justice Matthew is the Political & Communications Director for the Centre for Social Justice, the UK’s leading think-tank tackling the root causes of poverty and social breakdown. Previously, he was Chief Executive of the Mayor’s Fund for London, CEO of The Lord’s Taverners, and founding CEO of global …
statistician Kathryn is a currently a statistician working in the Civil Service, however she spent many years in education, teaching English and psychology both in the UK and abroad. She debated competitively in high school in the USA and continued to stay involved in debate as a tournament judge while studying psychology at UNC Chapel …
student of history, Trinity College Dublin Felice is a 21-year-old student from Copenhagen, Denmark studying history at Trinity College Dublin. She volunteered at the Battle of Ideas 2022, and is currently interning with Ideas Matter, helping to organise the Living Freedom Summer School, and the Academy, as well as supporting the Academy of Ideas with …
marketing manager, Hodder Education Sophia Blackwell works as a marketing manager at Hodder Education and as a freelance writer, editor, and radio journalist making arts programmes and podcasts. Sophia holds a BA (Hons) in English Language and Literature from the University of Oxford. Shortly after graduating, she discovered the two main passions of her adult …