Tuesday 8 October 2024, 5.30pm

Sam Quek boasts an impressive career both on and off the field. With 125 caps for the England and GB women’s hockey teams, her prowess in the sport is undeniable. A standout moment came in 2016 when she played a pivotal role in GB’s women’s hockey team's Gold medal triumph at the Rio Olympics, earning her well-deserved recognition, including an MBE for "services to hockey".

Following her Olympic success, Sam seamlessly transitioned into the world of broadcasting, carving out a niche as a sought-after presenter. She has graced screens across sports and entertainment, from hosting BBC’s daytime TV show "Morning Live" to becoming the first female host of BBC’s flagship TV program, "A Question of Sport". Her versatility shone as she co-hosted the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool and anchored BBC’s Olympic Breakfast morning program during the Tokyo Olympic Games. Sam's broadcasting repertoire extends beyond hockey, covering diverse sports such as NFL, rugby union, football, and even co-hosting BBC5 Live Radio’s “606”, showcasing her breadth of knowledge and charisma. Not one to shy away from Olychallenges, she has also ventured into entertainment, making memorable appearances on "I’m a Celebrity….Get Me Out of Here" and impressing audiences with her culinary skills on BBC’s Celebrity Masterchef, where she finished as a runner-up in 2020.

Tuesday 26 November 2024, 5.30pm

Renowned Poet Laureate Simon Armitage hails from the picturesque landscapes of West Yorkshire, a place that has deeply influenced his poetic journey. His literary prowess has garnered him a plethora of prestigious prizes and awards, notably including the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry and the PEN Prize for Translation. With over a dozen poetry collections to his name, such as the evocative "Magnetic Field: the Marsden Poems," Armitage's work resonates with both depth and lyricism. His acclaimed translations of medieval classics like "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and "The Owl and the Nightingale" have breathed new life into timeless tales.

Armitage's creative talents extend beyond poetry, showcasing his multifaceted talents. His latest book, "Blossomise," soared to No. 2 on the Sunday Times bestseller list, demonstrating his enduring appeal to readers. Notably, he collaborates with the band LYR, earning an Ivor Novello Award for his songwriting. His recent venture into song lyrics in "Never Good with Horses" marks a captivating departure in his literary journey. Alongside two novels and three non-fiction bestsellers, including the widely acclaimed "All Points North," Armitage's versatility as a writer knows no bounds. A stalwart in broadcasting, television, and radio, Armitage captivates audiences with his BBC Radio 4 series, "The Poet Laureate has Gone to his Shed." As an award-winning dramatist, his play "The Last Days of Troy" graced the renowned stages of Shakespeare's Globe, further cementing his legacy in the theatrical realm. Currently serving as Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds, Armitage's intellectual curiosity and eloquence shine through in "A Vertical Art," a compilation of his captivating lectures during his tenure as Oxford Professor of Poetry (2015-2019).

Thursday 16 January 2025, 5.30pm

Lord Darroch embarked on his diplomatic journey in 1977 and stands as a seasoned diplomat renowned for his expertise in national security and European policy, boasting an illustrious career spanning over four decades. Transitioning from a distinguished civil service tenure in the UK to a respected life peer in the esteemed House of Lords, Lord Darroch's trajectory is marked by a steadfast commitment to public service.

In his seminal work, "Collateral Damage: Britain, America and Europe in the Age of Trump" (2020), Lord Darroch offers invaluable insights into the complex dynamics between Britain and the United States. Drawing from his firsthand experiences as the British Ambassador to the United States from 2016 to 2019, he candidly navigates the challenges of working within the Trump administration and confronts the fallout of leaked confidential cables wherein he critiqued the administration, ultimately leading to his resignation.

Lord Darroch's influence extends far beyond his ambassadorial role, as evidenced by his pivotal contributions to global affairs. As the National Security Adviser to Prime Minister David Cameron from 2012 to 2015, he steered the UK through tumultuous times, overseeing critical issues in regions such as Iraq, Libya, and Ukraine. His illustrious career includes notable positions such as Permanent UK Representative to the European Union and EU Adviser to Prime Minister Tony Blair, underpinning his understanding of multilateral negotiations and international diplomacy. Knighted as a Knight Commander (KCMG) in 2008 and recognised as a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG) in 1997, Lord Darroch's contributions to diplomacy and public service are enduring testaments to his unwavering dedication.

Tuesday 4 February 2025, 5.30pm

Professor Sophie Scott CBE stands at the forefront of cognitive neuroscience as the esteemed Director of the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London. With a focus on unraveling the intricacies of human vocal communication, from the nuances of speech and sound to the depths of social interactions and nonverbal emotional expressions like laughter, her research illuminates the profound workings of the human mind. Beyond her groundbreaking academic pursuits, Sophie's magnetic presence extends to the realm of public engagement and broadcasting, where she captivates audiences with her eloquence and insight.

A familiar face on television screens, Sophie has graced popular programs such as The One Show (BBC1) and Sunday Brunch (C4), offering her expertise on a range of scientific topics. Her contributions to documentary series like Horizon (BBC2) and David Baddiel: Social Media, Anger and Us (BBC2) showcase her ability to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible narratives. Sophie's voice resonates across the airwaves of BBC Radio 4, where she is a series regular on the Infinite Monkey Cage and a guest on esteemed shows like Museum of Curiosity and Inside Science. In the podcasting sphere, she co-hosts The Neuromantics and has made notable appearances on platforms such as NPR's Hidden Brain, captivating audiences with her intellect and wit.

As a distinguished public speaker, Sophie's TED talks have garnered millions of views online, while her engagements at prestigious events like the World Economic Forum and Wired UK conference underscore her standing as a thought leader in her field. A Fellow of both the British Academy and the Academy of Medical Science, Sophie's scholarly contributions extend to over 130 scientific papers, shaping the landscape of cognitive neuroscience. Her upcoming book, 'The Brain: Ten Things You Need to Know,' promises to enlighten readers with her deep understanding of the brain's mysteries. Sophie's boundless passion for science extends beyond the laboratory, as evidenced by her forays into science-based stand-up comedy, where she has entertained audiences at renowned venues like the Hammersmith Apollo and the Bloomsbury Theatre, cementing her reputation as a multifaceted talent in the world of science communication.