Events

Dr Anna Joy Drury Did you know Earth’s climate varies with a semi-periodic beat that is controlled by Earth’s location in our solar system? Using oceanic sediments recovered from deep below the sea floor, we will explore how astronomical processes influence Earth’s climate beat and why it sometimes changes – seemingly unpredictably.   Anna is a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellow with the Geography, Geology and Environment Unit at Leicester University. Her research interests span palaeoceanography, geochemistry and stratigraphy, with a strong focus on understanding climate evolution and dynamics. She has helped develop the Code for Ocean Drilling Data (CODD) to facilitate analysis of ocean drilling data and the creation of composite core images. ...

Mariam Shalvashvili   The talk explores how Muslim Communities have been ‘securitised‘ following the War on Terror policies.   Mariam Shalvashvili studied sociology and social anthropology at Central European University and social sciences at Free University of Tbilisi.  In 2022 she was a research fellow of the Center for Eastern European Studies (CEES) program at the University of Zurich. She has worked as a researcher for Social Justice Center in Tbilisi from 2019 to 2022 and continues to collaborate with the organization.    All welcome - admission free. Tea & biscuits. Donations welcome - £5 suggested to cover  cost...

Professor Lala Meredith-Vula   Lala Meredith-Vula is an artist and Professor of Art and Photography at De Montfort University. Lala has worked extensively in the Balkans since 1988 and has a huge archive capturing life, following blood feud reconciliation ceremonies, and the Yugoslav Kosova war.  Born in Sarajevo, Lala moved to England in 1970 and became part of the Damien Hirst-led Freeze exhibition in 1988, after her graduation from Goldsmiths College, University of London. This was followed by postgraduate studies at the University of Prishtina, Kosova. Since 1989 she has lectured at various colleges in the UK, USA and Kosovo. In 1995 she set up the first photography department at the ...

Megan Manson   Female subordination. Sexist 'modesty' codes. Violence against women. These are forms of misogyny we would expect charities to try to combat. Yet as the National Secular Society's ground-breaking report " Mission and Misogyny " reveals, too many charities are promoting these ideas – all under the cloak of 'advancing religion'. Report author Megan Manson will explain how religious fundamentalists are exploiting our charity sector to promote regressive and harmful ideas about women. Her presentation will summarise the report's findings, and include video clips from sermons revealing how religious charities have used the cover of 'the advancement of religion' to promote or condone misogyny.  Megan Manson is head of campaigns at the NSS. She previously worked for the Japanese government promoting cultural exchange and lang...

 We have a break in our programme at Yuletide, Easter and in the summer holiday period. The new programmes commence in January, April and September.

Guest Speaker: 'Polyp' (author of the visual biography of Tom Paine)  plus readings, music from the Falling Angels , traditional fayre and toasts at Secular Hall.     Tickets £16 (members £12)  We can only accommodate 40 so it is "first come first served" and the final date for booking a place is 31st January (provided there are places remaining).   For tickets contact Mike either by email to tickets@Lsec.org.uk or phone 07722 782727. Please indicate if you want the vegetarian option. No bar, bring your own drinks.    

The lived experience of female ex-Muslims often involves profound liberation and self-discovery alongside significant challenges, including social ostracision, family rejection, fear of violence, and navigating a new identity free from religious constraints, with many finding community and empowerment through public activism or support groups. Key themes include escaping patriarchal control (like forced marriage or FGM), reclaiming autonomy over their bodies and choices (hijab, career, relationships), battling shame and stigma, and the difficult process of rebuilding lives and finding belonging.  The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A session.  For security , registration through Eventbrite is required. This event is free for LSS members and £5 for non-members.  Ima...