Simon McKeon believes passionately in caring for and making accessible the nation’s rich archive collections. For 20 years Simon managed archive and museum services before becoming the Head of the ‘Collections, Audience and Intelligence Team’ at The National Archives in Kew. He has contributed to several books, TV programmes and exhibitions on different aspects of London’s history, as well as lecturing on archives at universities and schools. He has two fine teenage sons and lives in South East London. When not at work, Simon can be found supporting Queens Park Rangers FC.
Linden West is Professor of Education at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of the Arts. He is Visiting Professor at the University of Milano-Bicocca and the Université de Paris Nanterre. His main expertise lies in the application of narrative methods to diverse educational, social, cultural, political and psychological phenomenon. He has written on how to build richer forms of dialogue among teachers and students in areas of conflict, such as in Israel, Palestine and Georgia.
His books include Transforming perspectives in lifelong learning and adult education, a dialogue, with Professor Laura Formenti, and Distress in the city, racism, fundamentalism and a democratic education. Linden’s writing is translated into French, Polish, Italian, Spanish, Chinese and Korean. He has also worked in radio and television and as an educational administrator.
Simon began his career at 16 when he left school to become an apprentice chef. He then embarked on a phenomenal journey in the hospitality and catering industry, taking him to work at prestigious 5 star London hotels, then on to Germany where he worked in some of the very best restaurants in the country, before moving on to open a restaurant with four colleagues which soon gained a Michelin star. He then moved to South Africa where he met his wife, and who he then returned to England with to start his second career in teaching. Simon quickly progressed working within further education colleges and joined MidKent College in 2013, before being appointed principal & chief executive in September 2016.
Simon is passionate about the impact further education has on changing communities, shaping careers and opening opportunities for all ages, something he believes is no more important than in the communities of Medway & Maidstone where it serves thousands of students every year.
journalist and author; co-convenor, Battle of Ideas festival
Ella Whelan is a journalist, author and co-convenor for the Battle of Ideas Festival. Her first book, What Women Want: Fun, Freedom and an End to Feminism explores contemporary feminism and its effect on women. Ella was the assistant editor at spiked and host of the spiked podcast between 2015-2018. When not at the Academy of Ideas, Ella appears frequently on TV and radio and writes for Standpoint the Sun, the Spectator, The Sunday Times, The Economist, Conscience and others. Her interviews with high-profile figures like Slavoj Zizek, Harold Bloom and Lionel Shriver feature in the spiked review.
Debating Matters coordinator, boi
Bernie Whelan is Debating Matters coordinator at boi and a reviewer for spiked. She has written on a wide range of topics from Elvis Presley to Seamus Heaney. She worked as office manager at the East London Science School and is a member of the AoI Arts and Society Forum.
Kelvin is a civil servant in the ‘Brexit department’ currently working to help all government departments prepare to leave the EU with ‘no deal’. This involves coordinating a range of policy and delivery projects across everything from nuclear regulation to the colour of passports.
Before he became a humble servant of Her Majesty, Kelvin worked for a financial PR company with investment management clients, and previously a retail bank.
He competed in Debating Matters for Franklin College, Grimsby, and is a keen waterpolo player, swimmer and cyclist.
After studying History at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, Ruari went to work on a dairy farm in Devon for a year. He then worked on an arable farm in the harvest before working in construction in London for six months. He has recently begun working for a financial consultancy firm.
Jonathan was appointed as chief executive for the place-based, neo-localist think-tank Localis in July 2018 after serving as head of news and events for the organisation. He has extensive experience in public policy, communications and journalism. After five years as a reporter, commentator and features editor for leading local government trade journal The Municipal Journal (The MJ), in 2015 he became the first strategic communications officer for the District Councils’ Network – a network of 201 councils across England.
Prior to The MJ, he edited an online government property and estates magazine ‘Public Property’ and he also has a strong understanding of the voluntary and civic sector from experience working for anti-poverty charity Elizabeth Finn Care and as a trustee for disability charity The Outsiders Trust and environmental design charity Charushila. Jonathan began his career in online publishing where he established The Source Public Service Management Journal and Wired-Gov – a pioneering online news service which repurposed UK government press releases.
Declan is an intern at the Academy of Ideas, assisting at events and debates. He is passionate about travelling and music and is a football enthusiast, following Tottenham FC and Celtic.
Maddie has an inner passion for debating. Maddie was a youth councillor and also a member of Youth Parliament, actively campaigning for mental health, anti-bullying and votes at 16. One of her fondest memories was having the opportunity to debate in the House of Commons. These experiences have all brought Maddie to what she is doing now, where she is a student engagement officer at MidKent College. Maddie feels that she has a really unique role, where she gets to work with a diverse range of young people, encouraging them to get involved in activities beyond the curriculum to develop them both personally and professionally, supporting them to succeed in life. Maddie is a Princess Diana Award holder, she received this for active campaigning and has a passion for young people, ensuring that they are given every opportunity possible to change their lives.
