The Hampton School Talk! series offers a superb opportunity to hear from distinguished speakers from all walks of life. The annual programme of talks aims to enlighten and entertain whilst broadening the horizons of all who attend.
Hamptonians, partner schools, parents and members of the public are welcome to attend most Talk! events.
Summer TERM 2024
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Aid in War & Disaster Zones
Professor Ian Davis OH (1953) & Wednesday 1 May 1:00pm – 1:45pm
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Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from two of the most respected voices in humanitarian aid – listen to their experiences and get first-hand account of what it is like to be an aid worker on the front line and the challenges they face trying to ensure essential aid reaches civilians devastated by war or natural disasters. |
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The Beautiful Game
Football Broadcaster, Guy Havord Tuesday 14 May 1:00pm – 1:45pm
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Respected sports broadcaster, Guy Havord, is one of the country’s leading football experts. Who better to give us an insight into all things football as the 2023-24 season draws to a close and with the title still up for grabs? Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from one of the UK’s most popular sports journalists. |
SPRING TERM 2024
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The Ukraine War
Olivier Evans Thursday 22 February 1:00pm – 1:45pm |
On the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, experienced Foreign Office diplomat, Olivier Evans assesses the state of the war, its implications for global insecurity, and the consequences for international diplomacy. |
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What is a Feeling? Nick Lane Professor of Evolutionary Biochemistry, University College London (UCL) Tuesday 27 February 1:00pm – 1:45pm |
Described as one of the most exciting science communicators of our time, multi-award winning scientist and writer Nick Lane is a sought-after broadcaster and author. Nick’s work focuses on the origin of life and has won international acclaim – his book The Vital Question was voted book of the year by the Economist, Wall Street Journal, Sunday Times, Independent, Financial Times and New Scientist, and was praised by Bill Gates as ‘an amazing inquiry into the origins of life.’ |
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Diplomacy & The Middle East Nicholas Hopton Thursday 7 March 1:00pm – 1:45pm |
Nicholas Hopton has had an illustrious career in British foreign affairs. With the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for 35 years, he was the first British Ambassador to Iran and has also served as Ambassador to Libya, Qatar and Yemen. Join us to hear Nicholas talk about his life as an ambassador, diplomacy and why it matters, and the challenges facing the Middle East. |
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Directing Doctor Who: Travelling through time and space for over half a century Tim Combe & Jamie Magnus Stone Monday 18 March 1:00pm – 1:45pm |
Doctor Who is one of the most successful television shows of all time. Daleks, Cybermen, the Tardis, sonic screw drivers and intelligent gloves are part of the lexicon, and the series has millions of fans worldwide. We’re privileged to be joined by two of the show’s Directors: Emmy award-winning Director, Tim Combe, was at the helm in the early years of the famous science fiction series, working in the 1960’s and 70’s with the first three Doctors William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee. Bafta-nominated director Jamie Magnus Stone was lead director for the twelfth and thirteenth series, directing the first ever female Doctor Who, played by Jodie Whittaker. |
Autumn Term 2023
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Political Reporting Harry Cole Thursday 16 November 1:00 – 1:45pm |
Harry Cole is the Political Editor of The Sun, one of the UK’s most popular tabloids. Join us to hear from one of the most influential and forthright voices in political journalism and learn all about Harry Cole’s rise to one of the top jobs in the media and his insight on the current political landscape. |
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How we vote and why? Sir John Curtice Wednesday 6 December 1:00 – 1:45pm |
Sir John Curtice is a leading expert in electoral behaviour, as well as a regular media commentator who has written extensively on political and social attitudes, the electoral strategy of political parties and the coalitions of support they build in national elections. Join us to hear Sir John talk about the voting behaviour seen in the most recent UK elections, whilst also delving into current opinion polling to explore the likely factors which will determine the outcome of the upcoming national poll, which must be held by January 2025. |
Previous speakers have included:
- Rugby Special with Louis Lynagh OH (2019) and Michael Lynagh, AM
Former Australian Rugby Captain and now a renowned sports commentator and businessman - Nick Bryant
BBC New York Correspondent and author - Fraser Nelson
Editor, The Spectator - David Lammy MP
Shadow Foreign Secretary - David Jones
Leading sports anchor and host of Sky Sports’ Super Sunday and Monday Night Football - Tim Marshall
British journalist, broadcaster and bestselling author of books including Prisoners of Geography and Divided: Why We’re Living In An Age Of Walls - Sarah Campbell
BBC Royal Correspondent
