Welcome to Yorkshire
Published on September 9th, 2026
•The Leeds International Festival of Ideas is just around the corner, set to take place from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 October 2026 at the Leeds Playhouse. This year’s festival promises to be more exciting than ever, with a range of talks, debates, and live events aimed at exploring the ideas that influence our world today. Two significant announcements have recently been made as the countdown begins: the addition of new speakers and the launch of a special initiative for young people called LIFI Futures.
New Voices at the Festival
This year, the festival welcomes Olivia Bentley, a well-known television personality from the show Made in Chelsea, and Johnny I'Anson, a broadcaster from BBC Radio 5 Live. They will be part of a panel discussion titled Are Kids Still Part of the Plan? taking place on Saturday 10 October from 2pm to 3.30pm in the Courtyard Theatre. This discussion will address important issues surrounding declining birth rates and the choices surrounding parenthood, a topic that is often seen as primarily affecting women.
Joining Bentley and I'Anson on stage will be a diverse panel, including Dr SJ Beard, Yousra Samir Imran, and Betty Mukherjee. They will delve into the cultural, economic, scientific, and emotional factors that influence modern parenting decisions. Topics such as the rising cost of living, career pressures, and fertility treatments will be explored, all aimed at understanding the complex dynamics of family planning today.
Introducing LIFI Futures
LIFI Futures is a new initiative launched at this year’s festival, building on the success of last year’s Young LIFI programme. This expanded four-event strand aims to address the pressing questions that young people in Leeds face. The initiative focuses on topics that truly matter to the youth, including identity, career paths, and societal expectations of success.
Three out of the four LIFI Futures events are free and will be accessible to students from schools, colleges, and universities across Leeds. This unique opportunity allows young people to engage directly with professionals from various fields, including broadcasters, employers, athletes, and educators, not merely as an audience but as active participants in the conversation.
First Event: How to Be Unapologetically You?
The first event in the LIFI Futures series is titled How to Be Unapologetically You? and will take place on Friday 9 October from 12.30pm to 2pm in the Quarry Theatre. This session focuses on the challenges of growing up in today’s world, where expectations from social media, friends, and family can often lead to self-doubt.
Hosted by BBC Newsround presenter Shanequa Paris, the panel will include notable figures such as Tasha Ghouri, a disability advocate and model; Dr Radha Modgil, an NHS GP and wellbeing expert; Ash Palmisciano, an actor and trans rights campaigner; and Stevie Ward, a former Leeds Rhinos captain and mental health advocate. They will engage in open discussions about body image, gender identity, mental health, and resilience, encouraging young people to embrace their uniqueness.
Other LIFI Futures Events
This year’s LIFI Futures also aims to tackle other vital topics through its remaining events, including:
Why Does No One Talk About Apprenticeships?
Wednesday 7 October, 11:30am to 12:30pm | Free in partnership with Weightmans. This event will highlight the importance of apprenticeships and alternative career paths.What No One Told You About Getting a Job
Thursday 8 October, 11am to 12pm | Free in collaboration with Luminate Education Group. This discussion will address misconceptions about young people's ambitions and abilities in the job market.Is Maths the Root of Everything?
Wednesday 7 October, 12pm to 1:30pm | Courtyard Theatre | Ticketed and on sale now. This event celebrates Leeds's recognition as the UK's first City of Maths, showcasing how mathematics is integral to various fields beyond the classroom.
More speakers for the LIFI Futures events will be announced in the coming weeks, ensuring that the discussions remain relevant and impactful for young audiences.
A Festival of Ideas
Martin Dickson, the Festival Director, expressed enthusiasm for the expanded focus on young voices, stating:
“Young LIFI was the best thing we added last year, and it was one event. LIFI Futures is now four events. Identity, apprenticeships, the NEET label, and maths — these are the conversations shaping what young people in Leeds think is possible for them.”
The festival opens with a conversation featuring Louis Theroux, a renowned broadcaster, on Tuesday 6 October, and will conclude with a performance by comedian Tim Minchin on Saturday 10 October. Other notable speakers include Chris Packham CBE, Dame Evelyn Glennie, and Elizabeth Day, among many others.
