
The Academy of Ideas has been organising public debates to challenge contemporary knee-jerk orthodoxies since 2000. Subscribe to our channel for recordings of our live conferences, discussions and salons, and find out more at www.academyofideas.org.uk
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 396 | Founded | 12 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PoliticsBooksNewsArts | |||

The war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have focused attention on skyrocketing energy prices, leading to demands to encourage more output from the North Sea and causing travel chaos in Ireland. But bills were already high before this ... more
This debate was part of Battle of Ideas North on 7 March 2026 in Manchester.
ORIGINAL INTRODUCTION
The Supreme Court judgement in April 2025, in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers, was seen as a ‘landmark ruling’ in clarifying ... more
Following the vote in the House of Lords to approve the decriminalisation of women who have abortions after the legal limit of 24 weeks, the whole issue of abortion itself has once again become highly contested. In that context, this debate – recorde... more
With the war in Iran leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, preventing or restricting oil and gas being exported from many of the Gulf states, the UK's energy policy has come to the fore once more. Proponents of renewables claim that a rapid... more
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In a world of extreme views and vicious personal attacks Claire Fox and the Academy of Ideas is a refuge where decency and intellectual enquiry prevail.
Occasionally some interesting debates but too much time given to justifiably marginalised speakers who are amusingly unaware that no one’s listening because their ideas are inherently contradictory or willingly ignorant. The unearned arrogance is borderline comic.
Generally like the podcast when they have a variety of speakers. Hate when Claire’s appointed staff get together to generally regurgitate one idea ... no diversity of ideas there
These discussions are almost always lively, interesting, and full of intelligent points that make you think.
The topics are often pertinent but I’m afraid the analysis and information offered rarely confronts the subject properly. The Institute of ideas is not as original as pretends to be.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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Apple Podcasts | #150 |
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A data-driven forum features sharp debates on energy policy, nationalism, geopolitics, and civil liberties, often with contrarian or outside-the-mainstream viewpoints. Guests range from energy economists and policy analysts to journalists and political commentators, typically challenging prevailing narratives with skepticism toward centralized policy, identity politics, and tech-enabled governance. The discussions tend to emphasize practical consequences—costs, energy security, deindustrialization, and rights—alongside broader questions about freedom of speech and national identity. Noteworthy is the willingness to stage provocative, multi-voiced panels that mix academic rigor with practitioner experience, making it a compelling listen for ... more
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5. The spiked podcast
Academy of Ideas launched 12 years ago and published 396 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Academy of Ideas include:
1. Emma Hilton
2. Bethany Hilton
3. Ella Whelan
4. Barry Wall
5. Gina (For Women Scotland)
6. Alex Crawcock
7. Ann Furedi
8. Ali Miraj
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