Battles in Print & Culture Wars

Battles in Print are specially-commissioned essays that explore topics being discussed at the Battle of Ideas, serving as introductions to the debate and encouraging further reflection. Battles in Print take a variety of forms, from short provocation essays to longer think pieces and interviews, and are available both online and in print at the festival itself. They are complemented by themed book reviews on Culture Wars, the Academy of Ideas' online review.

Editor: Sarah Boyes

Select a theme on the left to see related Battles in Print from the archive. You can also narrow your selection by selecting a year below and clicking Go! Or return to the overall index

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
Education

Should schools be engines of social mobility?, Sally Millard

The value of poetry, Michele Ledda

An Islamic education for all?, Rania Hafez

For subject-centred education: 6. bonfire of the quangos, Toby Marshall

For subject-centred education: 5. teachers should teach and parents should parent, Kevin Rooney

For subject-centred education: 4. the parochialism of localism, Shirley Lawes

For subject-centred education: 3. the limits of ‘evidence’, Mark Taylor

For subject-centred education: 2. education in an ‘information age’, Dennis Hayes

For subject-centred education: 1. the case for subjects, David Perks

A measure of success? Explaining public perceptions of education, Toby Marshall

Is philosophy becoming therapy?, Dennis Hayes

Judgement in crisis, Chris Kerr

Criticism in crisis?, Nick Westbrook

Rethinking therapy culture, Kathryn Ecclestone

The Empty Staffroom, Richard Swan

Can philosophy change your life?, James Gledhill

Debating Matters head-to-head on space exploration: man not machine should explore space, Daniel Green and Charlotte Blair

Won't read, can't read, don't read?, Angus Kennedy

What is education for?, Michael Young interview by Toby Marshall

The debate over examinations is little more than a War of the Poses, Mark Taylor

A culture of relativism and misanthropy is undermining the teaching of geographic knowledge, Alex Standish

No academic freedom or no ideas?, Dennis Hayes

Citizenship education is not working, Kevin Rooney

History and its values, Seán Lang

After the bubble has burst , Toby Marshall

Is ICT transforming learning?, Keri Facer

Beyond technology: rethinking learning in the age of digital culture, David Buckingham

The Tyranny of Skills, Alec Turner

The role of parents in education, Kevin Rooney

Pupils taking over the classroom, Michele Ledda

Tomorrow's innovators - will today's science education create the Brunels and Einsteins of tomorrow?, David Perks

Festival Buzz

Capitalism What Is it Good For? - Phillip Blond

"In an ever shrinking middle ground, the Battle of Ideas is more important than ever, if we're to reinvigorate politics and challenge the status quo."
Graham Smith, campaign manager, Republic