sixth-form debating competition
student at Humboldt University, Berlin and DM alumnus
Having won the title of Best Individual in the Berlin Debating Matters Championship 2023, representing Eckener Gymnasium, Lucca is judging for the second time. Lucca participated in DM Berlin in 2022 and 2023 and never lost a debate, then made his debut as judge in 2024. He now studies Philosophy and English at Humboldt University in Berlin.
professor emeritus for Philosophy at the Free University Berlin
Gunter Gebauer is the Professor emeritus for Philosophy at the Free University Berlin, a position he has held since 2012, joining the university as a professor in 1978 where he was a member of the interdisciplinary research groups “Performative Cultures” and “Languages of Emotion”. His main areas of research are historical anthropology, social philosophy and language theory.
Gunter has a PhD degree from the Technical University of Berlin (1969) and ‘Habilitation’ in Philosophy at the Technical University of Karlsruhe (1975).
Book publications include:
Wie wird man ein Mensch? (2021).
Vom Sog der Masse und die neue Macht der Einzelnen (2019, with S. Ruecker).
Wittgenstein’s Anthropological Philosophy (2017).
Von der Emotion zur Sprache. Wie wir lernen, über Emotionen zu sprechen (2017, with M. Holodynski, S. Koelsch, Ch. von Scheve).
Das Leben in 90 Minuten. Eine Philosophie des Fußballs (2016).
Mimetische Weltzugänge. Soziales Handeln – Rituale und Spiele – ästhetische Produktionen (2003, with Ch. Wulf).
Habitus (2002, with B. Krais).
Mimesis: Culture – Art – Society (1995 with Ch. Wulf).
Ben is a second-year Ancient History student at Durham University and the President-Elect of the Durham University Classics Society for the 2024/25 academic year. He has introduced the ‘Classical Symposium Programme,’ encouraging lively debates on classical and philosophical topics. Ben is preparing to lead the society through a busy schedule of academic talks and outreach projects, culminating in the society’s award-winning annual conference.
In addition to his role in the Classics Society, Ben is an active member of the Durham Union Society, where he helps senior members organise debates and promote free speech at Durham.
undergraduate at Durham University
Sonny is a first year Law undergraduate student at Durham University, with a particular interest in public law.
He is an advocate for debate and political participation, believing in the importance of maintaining free and civil discourse.
Sonny is a devout Catholic and a member of Durhams’s Catholic Society. He is also the president of the Durham Muay Thai Society and a massive supporter of Everton Football Club.
professor of International Development, Newcastle University.
Pauline Dixon is a professor of International Development at Newcastle University. She has extensive experience working in Asia and Africa and has delivered keynote speeches and presentations around the world including at Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., University of Connecticut, Brown University, Free Market Foundation of South Africa, Johannesburg, Waterloo Global Science Initiative, and Panama City.
Pauline’s major research interests are the theory of Austrian Economics, spontaneous order in economics, school choice, children’s literacy, giftedness and creativity. She is also involved in research that considers interdisciplinary issues around informal settlements including health, gender, water, sanitation and nutrition.
Pauline gained her PhD in 2003 from Newcastle University and has a First-Class Honours degree from the Open University.
She has just completed being a Co-Investigator on two British Academy funded projects in India and is now the Principal Investigator on a project funded by the Rising Tide Foundation – Identifying Best Practice for Empowerment Through Entrepreneurial Freedom and is co-investigator on a £17 million initiative where she created the Kid’s Action Thru Science (KATS) project and associated research.
Pauline has also presented research findings to government officials in India and Africa and gave a TEDx talk in Glasgow in 2012 on ‘How Private Schools are Serving the Poorest’.
Undergraduate Geography Student at Durham University
Archie is in the second year of a human geography degree and remains an active member of Durham Union Committees as well as a proactive analyst for the Diplomatic Society, specialising in Europe, Asia, and the war in Ukraine. His experiences in the commercial and academic world have given him insights and experience with climate and energy policy, particularly in nuclear energy and UK housing realities. He remains dedicated to holding up the values of free speech and the vitality of debate in our communities.
executive director, balletLORENT
Kylie is the Executive Director for nationally acclaimed touring dance theatre company, balletLORENT. She produces the tours, manages the financial, HR and operational aspects of the company. Prior to joining balletLORENT in 2023 she was Festivals, Events and Community Arts Manager for Durham County Council, managing a diverse programme of projects and events across the County.
She has a degree in Social Anthropology from University of Manchester and a post graduate diploma in Cultural Management from University of Northumbria.
former financial services actuary and volunteer, Durham Cathedral
George has spent over 20 years working in the financial services industry as an actuary both in the UK and New Zealand. His particular area of interest was the management and oversight of the investment portfolios for large institutions with a focus on pension schemes, insurance assets and philanthropic trusts. A particular high point was the development of a social fund designed specifically to donate all proceeds to the work of reducing modern slavery and trafficking.
Since returning to Durham, George has got involved in local politics as a member of the Conservative party and volunteers for Durham Cathedral and a number of other local initiatives.
student of International Relations, Durham University.
Louise is a 19-year-old student studying International Relations at Durham University. She is an ardent debater, passionate about expanding opportunities for state-educated students through greater access to debating networks. Prior to university, she was actively involved in youth voice, representing young people in her local area.
During her time at Durham, she helped organise the Durham Schools 2024 competition which turned over £7000 of profit. In the future, Louise hopes to pursue a career in diplomacy and foreign affairs.
Law Finalist at Durham University and future trainee lawyer
Jordan is a Law finalist at Durham University and future trainee lawyer at Clifford Chance. His academic record has earned him numerous accolades including the Hogan Lovell’s Commercial Law Scholarship, the Laidlaw Scholarship, the Commercial Bar Association Scholarship, The Helen Grindrod Prize from Lincoln’s Inn, and the Francis & Buriss Gahan Scholarship, Exhibition Scholarship and Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Award at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.
He was President of the Durham Union during Epiphany term 2023, leading Durham’s oldest and largest student society hosting frequent debates and addresses. Today, he is the Director and founder of the Durham Diplomatic Society and a Rising Leaders Fellow of the Aspen Institute.
In his community, Jordan serves as a Justice of the Peace (Criminal Magistrate) and as a School Governor. In the judiciary, he’s taken on several significant leadership roles, including as a member of the Probation Liaison Committee and further as a Community Relations Magistrate, building bridges between the judiciary and the wider community.