Acclaimed geneticist, science writer, broadcaster, and humanist Adam Rutherford will deliver the keynote address at Humanists UK Convention 2022, taking place 24-26 June in Belfast. The occasion will mark Adam’s first appearance as President of Humanists UK, succeeding current President Alice Roberts in June 2022.
Tickets are available to purchase now.
Adam uses his platform and his insights as a geneticist to challenge racism and to promote humanist values. He delivered Humanists UK’s 2019 Voltaire Lecture, How to argue with a racist, which became the basis for his 2020 bestselling book of the same name. The lecture, and indeed, much of Adam’s work, challenged false claims from religion, pseudoscience, and simple prejudice, emphasising instead our common humanity and our capacity to build a better society.
In his keynote, Adam will delve into the topic of his latest book, Control: The Dark History and Troubling Present of Eugenics.
Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:
‘Adam last addressed Humanists UK Convention in 2018, when we visited Newcastle. His lecture was a highlight of the whole weekend for many in attendance – the only complaint was that there wasn’t time to hear more.
An expert in his field, Adam certainly has the capacity and the enthusiasm to wax lyrical about what our genetics can – and cannot – tell us about ourselves, and about humanity. I’m delighted that after four years, Convention attendees will be able to hear from Adam again – and this time, as the new President of Humanists UK.’
The Convention is always a highlight of the Humanists UK calendar, with hundreds of humanists from across the country gathering for a summer weekend of science, politics, culture, and comedy. Tickets are available to buy now, at humanists.uk/convention2022.
Notes:
Humanists UK Convention 2022 will take place in Belfast over 24-26 June. Confirmed speakers include: Adam Rutherford, geneticist, author, and next President of Humanists UK; Francesca Stavrakopoulou, biblical historian, and author of God: An Anatomy; Gary McLelland, Chief Executive of Humanists International; Imtiaz Shams, co-founder of the Faith to Faithless ‘apostate’ support service; Alyson Kilpatrick, Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; Laura Lacole, campaigner and model, who, with husband Eunan O’Kane, secured humanist marriage in Northern Ireland in 2017; Richard Wiseman, psychologist, author, and magician; A C Grayling, philosopher, author, and Vice President of Humanists UK; and more, with many others still to be announced.
Tickets are available at humanists.uk/convention2022
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 020 7324 3072 or 020 3675 0959.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by 100,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.