Society & CultureScience

The Reith Lectures

BBC Radio 4

Significant international thinkers deliver the BBC's flagship annual lecture series

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20 episodes
Avg 58 min
English

Episodes 20

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Dec 16, 2025 · 57 min
4. Fighting for Humanity in the Age of the Machine.
Dutch historian Rutger Bregman gives his fourth and final Reith Lecture.
Dec 9, 2025 · 57 min
3. A conspiracy of decency
Dutch historian Rutger Bregman gives the third of his 2025 BBC Reith Lectures.
Dec 2, 2025 · 57 min
2. How to start a moral revolution
Rutger Bregman gives the second of his 2025 BBC Reith Lectures called Moral Revolution.
Nov 25, 2025 · 57 min
1. A Time of Monsters
Dutch historian Rutger Bregman delivers his first BBC Reith Lecture: Moral Revolution.
Nov 25, 2025 · 56 min
Moral Maze debate: Rutger Bregman’s call for a moral revolution
Michael Buerk chairs a debate examining Rutger Bregman’s call for a moral revolution.
Dec 17, 2024 · 57 min
Can we change violent minds?
In her final Reith Lecture, Dr Gwen Adshead asks if we can change violent minds.
Dec 10, 2024 · 57 min
Does Trauma Cause Violence?
Forensic psychiatrist Dr Gwen Adshead asks if trauma causes violence.
Dec 3, 2024 · 58 min
Aren't they all evil?
Forensic psychiatrist Dr Gwen Adshead asks: Aren't they all evil?
Nov 26, 2024 · 58 min
Is Violence Normal?
Forensic psychiatrist Dr Gwen Adshead asks if violence is normal.
Dec 20, 2023 · 57 min
4. The Future of Prosperity
Ben Ansell concludes his series of Reith Lectures on why politics fails
Dec 13, 2023 · 57 min
3. The Future of Solidarity
Ben Ansell's third 2023 Reith Lecture on why politics fails.
Dec 6, 2023 · 57 min
2. The Future of Security
Professor Ben Ansell gives the second of his 2023 Reith Lectures on why politics fails.
Dec 1, 2023 · 58 min
1. The Future of Democracy
Professor Ben Ansell delivers the first 2023 Reith Lectures on Our Democratic Future.
Dec 21, 2022 · 1 hr 2 min
4. Freedom from Fear
Foreign affairs expert Dr Fiona Hill gives her BBC Reith Lecture on Freedom from Fear.
Dec 14, 2022 · 1 hr 13 min
3. Freedom from Want
Author and musician Darren McGarvey, delivers his Reith Lecture on 'Freedom from Want'.
Dec 7, 2022 · 28 min
2. Rhyddid i Addoli
Rowan Williams delivers his BBC Reith lecture on faith and liberty in Welsh.
Dec 7, 2022 · 1 hr 11 min
2. Freedom of Worship
Rowan Williams delivers his BBC Reith Lecture on faith and liberty
Nov 30, 2022 · 1 hr 9 min
1. Freedom of Speech
Best-selling author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's BBC Reith Lecture on freedom of speech.
Dec 22, 2021 · 58 min
AI: A Future for Humans
Stuart Russell suggests a way forward for human control over artificial intelligence.
Dec 15, 2021 · 58 min
AI in the economy
What will artificial intelligence mean for the future of work?

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes