Latest Updates

From the pit to the palace – social class in Britain

Published 11 October 2024 at 10:23

It is often said that class is the great divide in British society, but what does social class mean in 2024? Is it a set of escalators where we can easily move up and down? Or more like an open prison, where only occasionally do a few manage to escape? If you are born working class do you remain that way, regardless of how your life changes? And to what degree does the class your born into define or limit your opportunities in life, and the discrimination or favour you might encounter?

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The European Skeptics Podcast - live at QED 2024

Published 9 October 2024 at 10:23

The award-winning European Skeptics Podcast is about to enter its tenth year of covering skeptical news and promoting skeptical activism. Their back catalogue of around 450 episodes contains analyses of skeptical trends and concerns, as well as hundreds of interviews with people from all over the world. The current hosts are based in Hungary, Germany, and Sweden and the show’s outreach is truly international, with an active network beyond Europe.

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QED rewatch: UFOs, UAPs, and the Quest for Understanding (2023)

Published 8 October 2024 at 10:23

In an age of omnipresent camera technology coupled with advanced image and video manipulation tools, ufology has witnessed a renaissance. Last year even saw public hearings in Washington DC, airing the evidence (or lack thereof) for what are now often known as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena). 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?

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Beyond the virus: Living positively with HIV

Published 4 October 2024 at 10:23

Since HIV hit the public consciousness in the 1980s there have been a wide range of influences on the lives and experiences of people living with HIV. Stigma and bias has affected access to treatment and prophylaxis as well as creating harmful stereotypes about the type of person who is HIV positive. Meanwhile, scientific and medical advances have revolutionised treatment and the prevention of transmission of the virus which has changed the lives of people living with HIV.

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Announcing... Do Robots Dream of Ethical Sheep?

Published 2 October 2024 at 10:23

Artificial Intelligence has experienced a significant surge, driven by generative image systems and expansive language models. DALL-E emerged in 2021, ChatGPT in late 2022, and since then they have been joined by a host of similar services, including those that generate videos and music. This rapid development has reignited concerns on AI safety and ethical considerations surrounding these tools. In a landscape often sensationalised by the media and influenced by vested interests, objectivity can be elusive.

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Announcing... Labour Pains panel

Published 27 September 2024 at 10:23

Women being judged for how they do things is nothing new, but against a backdrop of recent heartbreaking scandals in labour care, what does it mean to give birth in 2024? How much pressure are women under to forgo interventions during labour in pursuit of the seemingly holy grail of ‘natural’ birth, and what trauma does that leave women and their families with afterwards?

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The Body of Evidence podcast - live at QED 2024

Published 25 September 2024 at 10:23

In a special live episode of Body of Evidence, to be recorded live at QED 2024, Jonathan Jarry will speak with Lewis Thorogood, a junior software developer who was drawn into opposing public health measures and vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic and who later changed his mind.

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QED rewatch: Taboo or not Taboo? (2023)

Published 16 September 2024 at 10:23

Throughout history, social taboos have served to subjugate, marginalise, and discriminate against groups. Yet at the same time, in many contexts, 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?

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Professionally curious: The art of investigative journalism

Published 13 September 2024 at 10:23

If skepticism is a battle to bring to light pseudoscience, misinformation and outright fraud, investigative journalism is often the frontline, with many of the most important moments in skeptical history coming as a result of the right journalist being in the right place to ask the right question at the right time. How do journalists know which threads to pull? How do they check facts and source claims? And how do they do all of this without falling foul of legal threats?

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Announcing... Good morning, how did you sleep?

Published 4 September 2024 at 10:23

Whether you sleep like a baby (whatever that means), need a solid ten hours or feel refreshed waking up while it’s still dark; our society has a LOT to say about sleep. Not sleeping enough will knock years off your life but sleeping too much is lazy. Napping is both a superpower you can use to unlock your productivity and the worst thing you can possibly do if you want to sleep. Not to mention the time you sleep best, whether you’re a night owl or a morning lark, says everything about who you are and your value to society. But how much of what we understand about sleep is actually true?

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QED rewatch: False Memory and Satanic Abuse (2023)

Published 2 September 2024 at 10:23

From the QED archives, this panel session from QED 2023 discussed the way in which our memories prone to bias, distortion, and even outright fabrication. Featuring Kevin Felstead, Professor Chris French, Professor Ciara Greene, and chair Deborah Hyde.

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Announcing... From the Rabbitholes to the Riots

Published 29 August 2024 at 10:23

Less than a month after the UK election, race riots raged in cities and towns across the UK, ignited by disinformation about the name and nationality of the murderer of three young girls in Southport. What role did online channels dedicated to Covid conspiracies, vaccines, and the Great Replacement play?

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Living and Dying Outside The Lines, with Helen Keen and Evie King

Published 28 August 2024 at 10:23

QED 2024 is only a few weeks away, and our schedule is really starting to take shape. We have already announced our entire main-stage line-up, and now we can share with you our first panel session of the weekend, in which two ex-stand up comedians will tell you what they've learned about isolation, loneliness, and dying.

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Workshop: Magic for Skeptics

Published 21 August 2024 at 10:23

The worlds of skepticism and magic have always been entwined, with famous fraudsters employing techniques of magic in order to fake psychic feats, and skilled magicians using their knowledge of illusion to debunk and expose charlatans. At our Magic for Skeptics workshop, you can join Richard Wiseman as he journeys into the fascinating world of magic and skepticism.

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Calling all volunteers!

Published 19 August 2024 at 10:23

At QED we couldn’t make our event work without the excellent help of our volunteers who help us make sure the conference runs smoothly for all our speakers and attendees. With this year’s event less than two months away, we’re putting out a call to all our attendees to ask that anyone who would like to volunteer gets in touch.

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Announcing... Live and InKredulous 2024

Published 16 August 2024 at 10:23

We are two months away from the return of QED, and now is the perfect time to begin revealing the schedule you can expect to see in our ever popular podcast room. There’s no better place to start than with an annual QED tradition: the live recording of InKredulous – the skeptical, satirical panel show from the Merseyside Skeptics Society.

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Workshop: How to give the perfect presentation

Published 14 August 2024 at 10:23

Communication with the public is a vital part of being an effective skeptic - after all, what good is it to have a correct answer if you’re not able to help other people understand it? Whether it’s in the workplace, speaking at public events, or even appearing on stage at skeptical conferences, being able to clearly and engagingly convey your ideas is a handy arrow in any skeptic’s quiver - which is why we are delighted to be hosting a workshop on how to give effective presentations, with award winning science communicator Dr Jamie Gallagher.

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The Ockham Awards 2024: recognising the best in skepticism, and the worst in pseudoscience

Published 9 August 2024 at 10:23

Every year, The Skeptic magazine asks the skeptical community of the UK and beyond to submit nominations for their annual Ockham Awards - a chance to heap praise on someone in the area of skepticism who deserves celebration, and also to identify the worst promoter of pseudoscience, for their Rusty Razor prize. The winners are traditionally announces as part of the Saturday night entertainment at QED, and this year is no exception.

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QED rewatch: On Being Unreasonable (2023)

Published 6 August 2024 at 10:23

From the QED archives, this talk from QED 2023 saw Kirsty Sedgman explore the mechanisms we use to draw lines between acceptable and unacceptable, appropriate and inappropriate, good and bad. When we all think we're being reasonable, how can we figure out what's right?

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Workshop: Freedom of Information - How They Stop You Finding Out The Truth

Published 2 August 2024 at 10:23

Twenty years ago in January, the Freedom of Information Act came into force in the UK, providing a useful tool for journalists, activists and skeptics alike. At first it worked. We could even get access to Top Secret documents... but gradually, government and complacent information commissioners strangled the flow of information.

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QED rewatch: Fairies, Folklore and Forteana (2023)

Published 29 July 2024 at 13:00

For centuries, societies across Europe have told tales of fairies, nymphs and other fae creatures that might cross our paths… occasionally with ill intent. In this panel discussion from QED 2023, our panel discussed the strange tales that have caught the imagination of people throughout history, and what those stories tell us about society’s hopes, fears and anxieties. Featuring Dr David Clarke, Deborah Hyde, Claire Klingenberg, and Hayley Stevens.

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The QED Friday Night Quiz and Mixer

Published 26 July 2024 at 10:23

While QED doesn’t officially start until 9am on Saturday morning, there’s always plenty on offer in the buildup to the weekend. That’s why we have our Friday night mixer and meetup event, and the ever-popular QED Quiz night!

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Testing the Paranormal, with Professor Chris French

Published 24 July 2024 at 10:23

Last year’s programme of interactive workshops proved to be our most popular yet, with our increased focus on teachable skills to improve the skeptical capabilities of our attendees. Of all of our workshops, perhaps the most popular was the session in which Professor Chris French taught us how to design and run tests of paranormal claims - which is why we are pleased that Chris has agreed to reprise the session at this year’s QED.

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QED rewatch: Hot Women in Your Area (2023)

Published 22 July 2024 at 10:23

Menopause seems to be receiving more attention now than ever before, which is undoubtedly a good thing given that lots of women are simply not prepared for the myriad of symptoms they can experience (clue: it’s not just about hot flushes).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? This panel from QED 2023 tackled these issues, looking at what works, what doesn't, and why it's in everyone' interest to take note.

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QED rewatch: The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories (2023)

Published 15 July 2024 at 10:23

From the QED archives, this talk from QED 2023 saw Dr Daniel Jolley explore the psychology behind conspiracy theories. Drawing on his research, he demonstrates how any of us could find a conspiracy theory appealing under the right circumstances.

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QED rewatch: Why Investigate the Paranormal? (2023)

Published 8 July 2024 at 10:23

From the QED archives, this talk from QED 2023 saw Claire Klingenberg speak 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.

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QED rewatch: School Daze (2023)

Published 24 June 2024 at 10:23

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. In this panel discussion from QED 2023, we asked how we can protect vulnerable schoolchildren from the avalanche of nonsense on social media? Can we raise a generation of scientifically informed critical thinkers? Or should we even try?

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QED rewatch: The Dangers Of Alternative Medicine In Cancer Care (2023)

Published 19 June 2024 at 10:23

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. In this panel discussion from QED 2023, we learn that sadly, the alternative medicine industry has no lack of false promise to offer them.

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QED rewatch: Bitch: Busting Female Stereotypes (2023)

Published 3 June 2024 at 10:23

Our preconceptions about what it means to be female have been shaped by centuries of sexist and heteronormative bias. In this fascinating and funny talk from QED 2023, Lucy Cooke showcased females and the scientists studying them who are redefining the female of the species. Featuring post-menopausal orcas, primates who use promiscuity as a maternal strategy, and lizards who have dispensed with males altogether and reproduce by cloning.

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QED 2024 Tickets on sale now!

Published 7 May 2024 at 15:00

Tickets to QED 2024 are on sale now! Our weekend celebration of science, reason and critical thinking, returns for 2024 with another exciting line-up of main stage speakers, live podcast recordings, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and more.

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Save the Date: QED returns 18th-20th October

Published 4 March 2024 at 10:23

QED will return on the 18th-20th October 2024, once again at the Mercure Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester. For those looking to get a headstart on hotel booking, you can secure a room at the Mercure at a special discount price of £135 per night for a single room, or £147 for a double, by calling the hotel on 0161 751 1412 (Option 1), and quoting the discount code 2410QEDBED.

We are busily making arrangements for the weekend at the moment, and will announce much more in due course, including our line-up of speakers, and ticket availability - so keep your eyes peeled for further information as it becomes available.

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