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Event Series

How To Academy

How To Academy presents talks and live events with leading writers, thinkers, scientists, and public figures on the biggest ideas of our time. Founded in London in 2013, its stage spans philosophy, politics, science, economics, and culture.

See the full lineup

Overview Speakers (88)Talks (101)

All speakers at How To Academy

88 speakers across all editions

Richard Dawkins
3 editions
Oxford Professor and Author | Pioneering Evolutionary Biology Insights · University of Oxford
Brian Greene
2 editions
Theoretical Physicist | Explaining the Mysteries of the Universe · Columbia University
Dr. Gabor Maté
2 editions
Bestselling author on addiction and trauma | Leading voice on childhood development
Elif Shafak
2 editions
Award-winning novelist | Author of "The Island of Missing Trees"
Emily Maitlis
2 editions
Award-Winning Journalist & Broadcaster | Insights Into Politics, Geopolitics & Media · The News Agents
James Comey
2 editions
Former FBI Director | Truth, Lies, and Leadership · Federal Bureau of Investigation
Oliver Burkeman
2 editions
British author | 'Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals'
Robin Ince
2 editions
Comedian | Science Communicator & Broadcaster
Rory Stewart
2 editions
Former UK Secretary of State | Rethinking Global Affairs & Policy
Rutger Bregman
2 editions
Bestselling Historian | The Moral Ambition of Utopia · The School for Moral Ambition
Steven Pinker
2 editions
Harvard Psychologist | Rational Optimism & Human Progress
Tim Harford
2 editions
Author of The Undercover Economist | Financial Times Columnist | BBC Presenter
Ai Weiwei
Artist and activist | Speaking truth to power through art and human rights
Alain de Botton
Philosopher & Bestselling Author | Architecture & Design Storyteller
Anand Giridharadas
Author & Cultural Critic | Emerging Technology Impacts
Annabelle Williams
Paralympic Gold Medallist | Leadership & Performance Expert
Arthur C. Brooks
Harvard Professor & Atlantic Columnist | Co-Author with Oprah Winfrey
Azeem Azhar
Exponential Technology Entrepreneur | 'Exponential View' Author
Bianca Miller-Cole
The Apprentice UK Finalist | Forbes 30 Under 30 | Founder of The Be Group
BJ Fogg
Stanford Behavior Design Lab Founder | Author of Tiny Habits · Stanford University
Brad Smith
Vice Chair and President of Microsoft | Leading voice on AI ethics and digital policy
Brian Cox
Professor of Particle Physics | BBC Science Presenter
Cal Newport
Georgetown Professor | Author of 'Deep Work'
Carl Bernstein
Pulitzer Prize Journalist Who Exposed Watergate | Political Investigations Expert
Charles Spencer
Sunday Times Bestselling Historian | Royal Insider and Author of 7 Books · Althorp Estate
Chris Hadfield
Former ISS Commander | Lessons in Leadership from Space · Canadian Space Agency
Daniel Goleman
Psychologist | Emotional Intelligence & Leadership
Daniel Levitin
Neuroscientist & Author | How the Brain Works & Musical Expertise · McGill University
David Brooks
NYT columnist | Author of The Road to Character and How to Know a Person · New York Times
David Miliband
CEO of International Rescue Committee | Former UK Foreign Secretary
David Olusoga
Historian & Presenter | Storytelling the British Empire · University of Manchester
Eugenia Cheng
Mathematician & Educator | Breaking Down Complex Ideas · School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Frans de Waal
Primate Behavior Researcher | Pioneering Insights on Cooperation and Diversity · Emory University
George Monbiot
Environmental writer and rewilding advocate | Ecological restoration and political narrative change
Gina Miller
Activist and Wealth Manager | Supreme Court Challenger of Brexit Process · SCM Direct
Gordon Brown
Former UK Prime Minister | Global Leadership & Emerging Technologies
Hamish McRae
Economist | Author | Futurist
Indra Nooyi
First Female CEO of PepsiCo | Leadership & Transformation Expert
Isabel Allende
Acclaimed Novelist | Stories of Passion and the Human Condition
Jack Straw
Veteran UK Politician | Key Cabinet Member Under Blair and Brown · UK Government (Former)
Jared Diamond
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author | Public Relations & Cultural Dynamics · University of California, Los Angeles
Jason Fox
SAS: Who Dares Wins Star | Mental Health and Resilience Expert · Champions Speakers
Jennifer Aaker
Stanford Professor | Behavioral Science & Marketing Insights
Joanna Lumley
Emmy Award-Winning Actress and Activist | Absolutely Fabulous Star's Global Impact
John Green
Bestselling Author & Emerging Tech Advocate | 'The Fault in Our Stars'
John Maeda
VP of Design & AI at Microsoft | Pioneering Human-Centric Technology
Kate Bowler
Duke Professor | Exploring the Meaning of Life in the Face of Illness · Duke Divinity School
Kishore Mahbubani
Former Diplomat | The Rise of Asia & Global Leadership
Linda Yueh
Professor of Economics at London Business School | BBC Economics Commentator
Lisa Feldman Barrett
Neuroscientist | Emotions, Facial Expressions, and the Mind · Northeastern University
Lola Young
Global Recording Artist | Business Innovation Through Music · ISLAND RECORDS
Madeleine Albright
First Female U.S. Secretary of State | Served Under President Clinton 1997-2001 · Georgetown University
Malcolm Gladwell
The New Yorker Staff Writer | Bestselling Author of 'Outliers' & 'Blink'
Marc Randolph
Netflix Co-Founder | Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Transforming Entertainment
Marcus du Sautoy
Oxford Professor | Mathematics, Physics & Engineering Innovator · University of Oxford
Margaret Heffernan
Thinkers50 Hall of Fame | Management Thought Leader · University of Bath
Mariana Mazzucato
Economist | Rethinking capitalism and government's role in innovation
Mary Portas
Chief Creative Officer | Retail Transformation & Customer Experience
Matthieu Ricard
Buddhist monk and author | Altruism and happiness
Michael Lewis
Author of 'Moneyball' and 'The Big Short' | Financial journalist · Salomon Brothers
Michael Sandel
Harvard Professor | The Ethics of Emerging Technologies · Harvard University
Michio Kaku
World-Renowned Theoretical Physicist
Nate Silver
Founder of FiveThirtyEight | Statistical analyst and political forecaster · Baseball Prospectus
Neal Stephenson
Science Fiction Author and Tech Prophet | Visionary Behind 'Snow Crash' and the Metaverse
Neil Gaiman
English author | Creator of The Sandman and American Gods
Ole Scheeren
Principal | Architecture Innovator Reshaping Cities
Parag Khanna
Global strategist | Expert on geopolitics and urban futures
Rebecca Henderson
Climate and capitalism researcher | Reimagining economic systems for environmental sustainability
Rich Diviney
Retired Navy SEAL Commander | Former Officer in Charge, SEAL Team Six Training · The Attributes
Richard Curtis
Film Writer, Director, and United Nations SDG Advocate
Robert Lustig
Obesity Expert | Metabolic Health & Food Policy · University of California, San Francisco
Robert Peston
ITV Political Editor | Covering UK Politics & Economics
Robert Winston
Pioneering fertility researcher and broadcaster | Over 50 years in reproductive medicine
Roman Mars
Podcast Host | Exploring the Design of Everyday Things
Rory Sutherland
Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK | Behavioral Science & Irrational Decisions
Ruby Wax
Author & Mental Health Advocate | Transforming Perceptions of Mental Illness
Rupal Patel
Computer Scientist | Enabling Human-AI Collaboration · Northeastern University
Ryan Holiday
Bestselling author | Ancient Stoic philosophy for modern leadership
Sarah Ellis
Career development expert | TEDx speaker on non-linear career paths · Duke University
Sean Carroll
Caltech Theoretical Physicist | Bestselling Author of 'The Big Picture' · California Institute of Technology
Sir Clive Woodward
Rugby World Cup Winning Coach | Inspiring Peak Performance · Independent
Stanley McChrystal
4-Star General | Leadership in Emerging Technologies · Yale University
Stuart Russell
UC Berkeley Professor | Pioneering AI Alignment · University of California, Berkeley
Thomasina Miers
MasterChef Champion | Wahaca Co-Founder & Sustainable Food Entrepreneur
Vivek Murthy
19th & 21st Surgeon General | Public Health Visionary
Wade Davis
National Geographic Explorer | Author of Award-Winning Cultural Studies · ethnobotanist
Walter Isaacson
Bestselling Author | Acclaimed Historian and Journalist · Tulane University
Yuval Noah Harari
Author of Sapiens | Professor of History at Hebrew University of Jerusalem