Think@Oxford 2026
Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March 2026
Balliol College, Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BJ
Thank you for your interest. Bookings for this event are now closed.
Learning from History - An evolving future
The theme continues to be “Learning from History” with a look at how events and innovations might impact on an evolving future. The weekend starts informally as usual on the Friday evening with people either getting together or doing their own thing in Oxford. We will set up a WhatsApp Group to coordinate gatherings which attendees can join if they wish.
The weekend proper starts on Saturday at 10.15am in the Pavilion, Jowett Walk with refreshments, and a welcome and introduction to the weekend. This is followed by presentations and discussions on topics related to the theme. Lunch (not included) is around 1pm and the afternoon is free for you to explore Oxford (N.B. there are plenty of things to see and do in Oxford, for example, Ashmolean Museum exhibitions, Bodleian library, Oxford Castle, covered market, etc.).
Evening presentations commence with refreshments at 4pm in the Pavilion, Jowett Walk.
Following the evening talks there will be an opportunity to attend a dinner in the Great Hall at 8pm on the Broad Street main site. After dinner we will wander back to Jowett Walk to gather for Philosophy Café style discussions in the Pavillion.
Breakfast will be served in the Grand Hall at the Broad Street site between 8am and 9am on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Check-in will be at the Porters’ Lodge at the Broad Street site. The accommodation will be at Jowett Walk (8 min walk, OX1 3TL), where the lecture room will be. Accommodation includes bed linen, towels, and an en suite shower/toilet, as it is basic student accommodation. Each floor has kitchen facilities, including a kettle, fridge, drinking tap water, and a microwave.
“It is a great weekend with convivial and stimulating coversation. It would be wonderful to see both old and new faces. Everyone is welcome to come along as it is open to all, so bring a friend.”
Austin Caffrey, Organiser
Packages and price options to suit all budgets
- Seven talks over two days
- Accommodation (en suite) including breakfast
- Refreshment breaks
- Use of a hospitality room including breakout sessions
- Gala Dinner – Three courses and coffee
- Use of College buttery (PAYG)
Programme
Friday 27 March
For those who are arriving on Friday, we are hoping to have an informal gathering in the evening. We can gather in The Buttery in the Quad, below the Great Hall, Broad Street, then go on to a meal at a pub.
Saturday 28 March
- 11.00am: What Roman coins can tell us about Imperial Rome – Muduo Wang
- 12.00pm: What can we learn from Quantitative Research – Mike Griffiths
- 1.00-4.00pm: Lunch (not included) and free time
- 4.00-4.30pm: Tea/coffee
- 4.30-5.30pm: A to I of Artificial Intelligence and more… – Theresa White
- 5.30-6.30pm: Break
- 6.30-9.30pm: Roger Farnworth Discourse & Dinner – Guest Speaker: Anders Reagan
- 8.00pm: Dinner Great Hall
Sunday 29 March
- 10.00am: What do you know about ME? – Juliane Chapman
- 11.00am: Tea/Coffee
- 11.30am: Fluidity, Infinity, Ideality – A Nietzschean View on History – Benedikt Klimpel
- 12.30pm: Borneo – Richard Learner
- 1.30pm: Closing Reflection: Feedback and plans for next year
- 2.00pm: Departure – optional lunch (not included) usually at The King’s Arm
Tariffs
| Booking options | Costs |
|---|---|
| Friday to Sunday. Includes two nights bed and breakfast in an en suite room, Gala dinner, tea/coffee/biscuits plus access to all talks and breakout sessions. Please note Friday evening will be informal and we can gather at the Jowett Walk site. (sold out) | £380 |
| Saturday and Sunday non-residential delegate rate. Includes all Saturday (incl. evening speaker) & Sunday talks, Saturday Gala Dinner, and tea/coffee/biscuits. No accommodation. (sold out) | £175 |
| Day delegate rate, Saturday only. Access to all talks + Gala Dinner and guest speaker. Includes tea/coffee/biscuits. (sold out) | £135 |
| Day delegate rate, Saturday only. Access to all talks + evening guest speaker. Includes tea/coffee/biscuits. (sold out) | £45 |
| Day delegate rate, Sunday only. Access to all talks including tea/coffee/biscuits. | £35 |
Thank you for your interest. Bookings for this event are now closed.
Balliol College is in the centre of Oxford, easy walking distance from the railway station and bus hubs. The conference will be on two sites:
- The main college site on Broad Street (OX1 3BJ) for breakfast & dinner
- All talks and discussions will be at Jowett Walk (OX1 3TL)