Welcome to The Leeds Salon

The Leeds Salon is a public discussion forum founded in February 2009. The Salon organises discussions around political, cultural and scientific issues, with the aim of challenging any orthodoxies along the way, defending and developing the legacy of the Enlightenment and, above all, providing a space where free speech can take place. Find out more.

next salon

Wednesday 9 October 2024

Technology is Not the Problem – We Are

For the first of two satellite events as part of Battle of Ideas 2024, we welcome back author and broadcaster Timandra Harkness to discuss her new book, Technology is Not the Problem. We all know that our every move is tracked online, while data about every aspect of our lives is used to profile and target us. Why, despite this knowledge, do we willingly yield […]

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forthcoming salons

Wednesday 23 October 2024

Fighting Censorship: Freedom in the Arts

For our second of two satellite events as part of Battle of Ideas 2024, we’ve invited Freedom in the Arts co-founder Denise Fahmy to discuss how FITA’s 5-year project is going a year in and the possible impacts of the change of government. Cancellation in the arts is now a familiar occurrence, from artists themselves being kicked out for their views, artworks being taken down […]

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salon & school debating news

RA Sixth Form Debate 2024 Winners Grammar School at Leeds

Sixth Form Debating Competition 2024

Wednesday 27th November the Royal Armouries Museum (Leeds) will host its second annual sixth form debating competition in partnership with The Leeds Salon.

The competition will involve 6 schools competing to be crowned 2024 champions. There will also be individual prizes to be won by any sixth form student, whether for being a good panelist and/or for asking good questions from the floor.

The competition uses the format and topic guides of Debating Matters.

Details can be seen here.

Sponsors to be announced.