The annual Festival of Ideas is a series of lectures and seminars given by distinguished visiting speakers and staff of George Watson’s College all of whom address the same question or idea but from a variety of different perspectives. At the centre of the Festival is the Caritas Lecture which is the School’s annual public lecture given by someone of national or international distinction.

Festival of Ideas

2019: Freedom to Think (Programme)
2017: Careless People (Programme)
2016: Future Perfect? (Programme)
2015: What Are We Doing Here? (Programme)

Caritas Lectures

2018: James Naughtie – On The Road: A Reporter's Story
2017: Professor Sarah Churchwell – Careless People: F Scott Fitzgerald and the invention of The Great Gatsby
2016: Professor, The Lord Winston of Hammersmith – Future Perfect? Will we still be human in the 21st century?
2015: Dr Brandon Carter FRS – What are we doing here?
2014: The Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Rifkind QC MP – Scotland's Future: A date with destiny?
2013: Professor Wilson Poon – Bad science, risky technology: Why should we care?
2012: Sir John Curtice FRSA, FRSE, FBA – Is Scotland set to separate?
2011: Dr Graham Floater – Energy Security, food and climate change – the global challenges of the 21st century
2010: Professor Sergio Della Sala – Education’s view of the workings of the brain – some myths and tall tales
2009: Dr Martin Baker – Climate change and wilderness: A Scottish perspective
2008: Dr Harry Burns – Biology of poverty