ThinkIns on catch up
ThinkIns are for Tortoise members and invited guests. Catch up below on some of our recent favourites.
A ThinkIn is not just another panel discussion. It’s a real editorial meeting where your insight and experience can help shape our reporting.
How it works
Book a ticket, and we’ll send you a link to join us online. You can bring a friend.
We’ll invite guests with special expertise, but anyone can speak. Just raise your hand.
A ThinkIn is one hour long. At the end, the editor will summarise what we’ve heard.
30 september 2021
In conversation with Caitlin Moran
Why aren’t there words for so many things that happen to women’s bodies? Why does being middle-aged mean everyone else’s problems become your problems? And do the people in power actually want to do anything? We discussed all of this and more recently at an in-person ThinkIn with best-selling author and columnist Caitlin Moran. You can watch the whole ThinkIn here.
What our members are watching
Afghanistan: what now?
Although it happened faster than even the Taliban expected, the fall of Kabul was not a surprise. The key question is, what happens now?
Will technology widen the power gap? In conversation with Azeem Azhar
An hour with Azeem Azhar to discussing his new book, Exponential – about the ‘exponential gap’ between the power of new technology and our ability to keep up.
New Labour: Did It work?
Did New Labour succeed in its mission to change Britain? What, in the end, did it get right?
What will life be like in 2041? with Kai-Fu Lee
A conversation with Kai-Fu Lee where we asked, how will AI change the world over the next 20 years?
covid Inquiry
Why wait until spring 2022?
That’s when the prime minister has said an independent inquiry into the government’s response to Covid will begin. Here at Tortoise, we felt the need was far more urgent – and so, last Autumn, we held our own.
Recent ThinkIns
Can Asia kick its coal addiction?
A special Accelerating Net Zero ThinkIn in partnership with the Judith Neilson Institute, where we heard from experts, stakeholders and reporters across Asia on the state of play at the true coalface of the clean energy transition.
Class, sexism and surviving Trump’s White House: A ThinkIn with Fiona Hill
We were joined by Fiona Hill for a wide-ranging conversation covering class, social mobility, being a feminist hero as a witness in the impeachment of President Trump, The Specials, and Russia.
Pulp and be damned: are we living in a new era of censorship in publishing?
Are the so-called ‘culture wars’ really affecting freedom of thought and expression? Or are some books simply too offensive to publish?
In conversation with Michael Morpurgo
An hour in Michael’s company, talking about his life, the inspiration behind his new novel, and a special Tortoise poem.
King Richard
Friends of Tortoise members joined us for the headline Gala Screening of King Richard at this year’s London Film Festival.
What’s so funny about anxiety? In conversation with Georgia Pritchett
A frank and funny conversation with Georgia about learning to cope with anxiety – and hamsters, the Queen, budgies, questionable fashion choices and Jimmy Osman.
The hardest word: what are we prepared to forgive?
Today, lives can be ripped apart and reputations ruined forever in a heartbeat, but who governs the rules of redemption and are they equally applied to everyone?
Why is it still so hard to talk about mental ill-health?
As the first in a series of ThinkIns that seek to critically examine, and ultimately progress, the public conversation about mental health and wellbeing, we zeroed in on the elephant in the room: many people still don’t want – or know – how to talk about it.
Covid by Numbers, with David Spiegelhalter and Anthony Masters
David Spiegelhalter and Anthony Masters debunk our longstanding Covid misconceptions. Why have some countries been hit harder? What would have happened if the UK had locked down earlier? And how does the vaccine really impact transmission?
Who are the biggest Covid profiteers?
What do we know about the ethics of major pharmaceutical companies before the pandemic, and how might this affect our understanding of what’s happened since?
In conversation with Simon Sinek
An hour with Simon Sinek and his characteristic wit and wisdom, reflecting on the power of optimism in tough times, the future of leadership and how the experiences of the past two years will impact working culture.
In conversation with Ed Balls
Ed joined us live in the Tortoise newsroom for a wide-ranging conversation on his life and politics, and about the meaning of “Global Britain” and the role of “tax and spend” in the modern British age.
Can soil save the planet?
How we can optimise natural-based solutions to slow, or even halt, global warming.
What will life be like in 2041? with Kai-Fu Lee
A conversation with Kai-Fu Lee where we asked, how will AI change the world over the next 20 years?
The Arms Race: what next?
An Arms Race ThinkIn, where our campaign’s coalition partners considered Biden’s emergency vaccine summit.
Why do so many people with autism die young?
Public awareness of issues relating to neurodiversity in general has improved in recent years, but has all that awareness translated into meaningful change, especially in terms of medical treatment, for autistic people and their families?
Don’t miss these upcoming ThinkIns
Countdown to Cop26 with Sir Dave Lewis
Who should pay to save the rainforest?
How far can we go with the technology we already have?
In conversation with…
Crisis Leadership – Tony Blair
The UK’s former prime minister in conversation with James Harding.
In conversation with Sharon White, Chair of the John Lewis Partnership
Join James Harding in conversation with Sharon White, Chair of the John Lewis Partnership
A ThinkIn with Lisa Nandy
Join James Harding in conversation with Lisa Nandy to discuss the direction of the Labour Party on the international stage.
A ThinkIn with Mark Carney on Value(s)
What does value really mean? Join James Harding in conversation with Mark Carney to find out.
Next Gen
ThinkIns created especially for students and apprentices
How to start a movement with anti-discrimination activist Alex Holmes
Alex Holmes used his personal experience of racism to start a grassroots movement that later saw him become deputy CEO in the charity sector.
How to break down stereotypes with actor Samantha Renke
Samantha knows a thing or two about proving people wrong.
Sensemaker Live
Sensemaker Live: Are the Olympics doomed?
Are the Olympics doomed, or are we just going through a grumpy patch?
Sensemaker Live: Can’t we just ditch social media and get along?
Why not just scrap the apps and use the phone for talking, or not getting lost?
Sensemaker Live: Why go to space?
Make sense of this week’s major news stories in a live editorial conference with Tortoise editors.
Sensemaker Live: How slimmed down should the royals be?
Make sense of this week’s major news stories in a live editorial conference with Tortoise editors.
Summits
The Tortoise Responsible Business Summit
The Tortoise Cyber Summit
The Tortoise Education Summit
Schooling after the virus: can we build back better?
The Future of Work Summit
What does the future of work really look like?
The Tortoise Climate Summit: How can we accelerate net zero?
Join us to start writing a global to-do list before the world gathers in Glasgow to work out how to save itself.
The Future of Cars Summit
Join us and invited experts to discuss the big questions about the future of cars
The Future of Money Summit
Join us an invited experts to discuss the big questions about the future of money
Global Health Summit
The six challenges after Covid