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Hay Festival

The Hay Festival is an annual literature and ideas festival held in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, since 1988, hosting writers, scientists, and thinkers across hundreds of talks and debates.

🇬🇧Hay-on-Wye, United Kingdom

See the full lineup

Overview Speakers (1814)Talks (178)

All speakers at Hay Festival

1814 speakers across all editions

David Olusoga
6 editions
Historian · University of Manchester
Elif Shafak
5 editions
Award-winning novelist | Author of "The Island of Missing Trees"
Misha Glenny
5 editions
Investigative Journalist | Cybersecurity & Environmental Crime
AC Grayling
4 editions
Philosopher and author | One of the most influential thinkers of the modern day
Marcus du Sautoy
4 editions
Mathematician / broadcaster · University of Oxford
Mariana Mazzucato
4 editions
Economist
William Sieghart
4 editions
Entrepreneur | Transforming Business Through Emerging Tech · Metabox
Bear Grylls
3 editions
Adventurer
Chris Smith
3 editions
Award-Winning Medical Virologist | BBC Radio Science Communicator · University of Cambridge
George Monbiot
3 editions
Environmental writer and rewilding advocate | Ecological restoration and political narrative change
Robin Ince
3 editions
Comedian | Science Communicator & Broadcaster
Ruby Wax
3 editions
Author & Mental Health Advocate | Transforming Perceptions of Mental Illness
Sophie Howe
3 editions
Future Generations Commissioner | Sustainable Policy & Ethics
Alastair Campbell
2 editions
Communications Strategist | Campaigning for Change, Mental Health Advocacy · The Rest is Politics
Bill Browder
2 editions
Human Rights Activist | Bestselling Author of 'Freezing Order' and 'Red Notice' · Hermitage Capital Management
Carole Cadwalladr
2 editions
Pulitzer Prize Finalist | Exposing the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica Scandal
Danny Dorling
2 editions
Oxford Professor | Inequality, Demography & Social Change · University of Oxford
David Miliband
2 editions
CEO, IRC
Germaine Greer
2 editions
Feminist Icon | Author of The Female Eunuch
Hilary Cottam
2 editions
Social Innovator | Transforming Communities with Technology · Participle
Jonathan Drori
2 editions
Author of Around the World in 80 Trees | Eden Project trustee, botanical storyteller · Independent
Karen Armstrong
2 editions
Professional Speaker
Lemn Sissay
2 editions
Award-Winning Playwright | Athletic Performance Insights
Margaret Atwood
2 editions
Two-Time Booker Prize Winner | Acclaimed Novelist & Social Activist · Independent
Martin Rees
2 editions
Astronomer Royal | Wolf Prize Winner Exploring Cosmic Frontiers · University of Cambridge
Nicola Sturgeon
2 editions
Politician · Government of Scotland
Nik Gowing
2 editions
BAFTA Winner | Former BBC World News Main Presenter | Founder of Thinking the Unthinkable
Oliver Balch
2 editions
Business Growth Expert | Author of 'Rethinking Capitalism' · University of Cambridge
Robert Winston
2 editions
Pioneering fertility researcher and broadcaster | Over 50 years in reproductive medicine
Robin Morgan
2 editions
Feminist Activist | Pioneering Women's Rights
Solitaire Townsend
2 editions
Sustainability Strategist | Shifting Mindsets for Climate Action · Futerra
Tim Peake
2 editions
First British ESA Astronaut | International Space Station Mission Leader · European Space Agency (ESA)
Will Gompertz
2 editions
BBC Arts Editor | Creativity, Innovation, and the Creative Process
Adrian Bradshaw
NATO's Top Commander | Transforming Leadership Strategy in Complex Environments
Alice Rawsthorn
Design Critic | Exploring Rebellion and Innovation in Design History
Alok Sharma
President of COP26 | Climate Diplomacy & Clean Energy Leadership
Amol Rajan
BBC Presenter & Host | Politics, Media & Technology Commentator
Anne-Marie Imafidon
Co-Founder and CEO of Stemettes | One of UK's most influential women in tech
Ben Lewis
Co-Founder & CEO at Little Spoon
Benedict Allen
Explorer and Anthropologist | Surviving Remote Expeditions Without Modern Gear · Independent
Camilla Cavendish
FT Columnist | Author of 'Extra Time: Ten Lessons for an Ageing World' · Financial Times
Chelsea Clinton
Vice Chair | Clinton Foundation
Clive Woodward
Rugby World Cup Winning Coach | Inspiring Peak Performance · Independent
Colin Grant
Cognitive Neuroscientist | The Science of Creativity & Innovation · University of Sussex
Dambisa Moyo
International Economist and Author of Dead Aid | Global Economic Strategy Expert · Versaca Investments
Daniel Lismore
Fashion Innovator | Transforming Self-Expression Through Art & Design
David Lammy
Member of Parliament | Racial Equity & Social Justice Champion
David Rowan
Tech Journalist & Investor | WIRED UK Founding Editor, 60+ Startup Advisor · WIRED Magazine UK
David Wengrow
Archaeologist | Revealing the unexpected complexity of ancient human societies
Donna Brazile
Democratic Political Strategist | New York Times Bestselling Author
Emily Maitlis
Award-Winning Journalist & Broadcaster | Insights Into Politics, Geopolitics & Media · The News Agents
Emma Thompson
Actress · Norwich University of the Arts
Erling Kagge
Evelyn Glennie
First full-time solo percussionist | Polar Music Prize laureate who is profoundly deaf
Francis Fukuyama
Author of The End of History | Senior Fellow at Stanford's Freeman Spogli Institute
Frans de Waal
Primate Behavior Researcher | Pioneering Insights on Cooperation and Diversity · Emory University
Geoff Mulgan
Social Innovator & Policy Advisor | Transforming Systems for the Future · The Young Foundation
Gillian Tett
Columnist and Editorial Board Member, Financial Times; Provost, King's College, Cambridge University | Financial Times; King's College, Cambridge University
Gordon Brown
Former UK Prime Minister | Global Leadership & Emerging Technologies
Helen Czerski
Physicist & Author | Exploring the Hidden Wonders of Our World
Hon Julia Gillard
Former Prime Minister of Australia | Global Leadership & Crisis Management · Wellcome Trust
Jack Edwards
Creator | Inklings
James Ellroy
Jamie Bartlett
Motivational Speaker | Inspiring Teams & Individuals
Jared Diamond
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author | Public Relations & Cultural Dynamics · University of California, Los Angeles
Joanna Lumley
Emmy Award-Winning Actress and Activist | Absolutely Fabulous Star's Global Impact
Joe Wicks
The Body Coach | Fitness icon who reached millions during lockdown
Johann Hari
Social commentator on mental health & addiction | Author of 'Lost Connections' and 'Chasing the Scream'
John Thornhill
Innovation Editor at Financial Times | Tech Journalism & Startup Insights · Financial Times; Sifted
Jon Ronson
Writer & Filmmaker | Exploring Madness, Extremism & Obsession
Jon Sopel
Journalist and Broadcaster | Exclusive White House Insights · The News Agents
June Sarpong
Award-Winning Author and BBC Diversity Leader | Transforming Workplace Inclusion · BBC (Former Global Director of Creative Diversity)
Kamal Ahmed
Co-Founder of The News Movement | Former BBC Economics Editor
Kevin Rudd
Former Australian Prime Minister | Global Leadership & China Relations
Konnie Huq
Longest-Serving Female Blue Peter Presenter | Childrens Author | Black Mirror Writer
Linda Yueh
Professor of Economics at London Business School | BBC Economics Commentator
Lucy Cooke
Zoologist & TV Presenter | Uncovering the Unexpected Truths About Animals
Lynda Gratton
Professor at London Business School | Future of Work & Organizational Talent
Madhumita Murgia
Tech Journalist | Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Tech
Malala Yousafzai
Activist / author · Malala Fund
Maria Ressa
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate | Defending Press Freedom in the Philippines · Rappler
Martin Puchner
Martin Sorrell
Executive Chairman of S4 CAPITAL | Global Advertising and Media Innovation Leader
Mary Norris
Copy Editor | Customer Experience Strategist · The New Yorker
Mary Robinson
Professional Speaker
Maryn McKenna
Science Journalist | Drug-Resistant Disease Narratives
Matthew Williams
Futurist & Technologist | Artificial Intelligence & Human Potential
Mental Health
Mental Health Advocate | Psychology of Wellbeing
Michael Fuller
First Black Chief Constable in UK | Author of Kill the Black One First
Michael Gove
Editor; Former Cabinet Minister | The Spectator
Michael Lewis
Author of 'Moneyball' and 'The Big Short' | Financial journalist · Salomon Brothers
Mike Parkinson
Mike Parkinson
Natalie Fee
Environmental Entrepreneur | Empowering Sustainable Lifestyles · City to Sea
Nighat Arif
NHS GP | Women's Health and Diversity Champion
Paul Johnson
Provost of Queens College Oxford | Economics, ESG & Climate Expert
Paul Polman
Former CEO Unilever | Sustainable Business Leader · Imagine
Rachel Lowe
Board Game Creator & MBE Winner | Transforming Creativity into Business Success · She Who Dares
Ranulph Fiennes
Explorer & Adventurer | First to Cross Both Polar Ice Caps
Richard Dawkins
Oxford Professor and Author | Pioneering Evolutionary Biology Insights · University of Oxford
Robert Peston
ITV Political Editor | Covering UK Politics & Economics