The Festival of Ideas is an annual and free one-day conference showcasing the breadth and quality of Business School research, encouraging academic progression and connecting researchers. Students, staff and external guests are invited to explore the latest thinking on a range of business related topics.
The next Festival of Ideas will be taking place on Monday 8 April 2019.
For students

- Find out more about our areas of expertise
- Discover synergies with other disciplines
- Define your pathway into academia
For external guests

Sessions see senior business leaders and academics address key challenges in business today. Last year's festival saw open and closing plenaries on:
External speakers and panel chairs 2018
At the 2018 event we welcomed external speakers and panel members from a variety of organisations including:
- Mike Barry - Director of Sustainable Business (Plan A), Marks and Spencer
- Tom Bridges - Director, Cities Advisory at Arup
- Jon Bumstead - Director, Nisomar
- Louise Ellis - Director of Sustainability, University of Leeds
- Martin Farrington - Director of City Development, Leeds City Council
- Simon Garbett - Partner, Squire Patton Boggs
- Carly Gulliver - Associate, Squire Patton Boggs
- Tomas Hult – Marketing and International Business, Michigan State University
- Timothy Jarvis - Partner, Squire Patton Boggs
- Prew Lumley - Chair of Leeds Business Improvement District (Leeds BID)