Disagreements are a fact of life. Productive disagreements are a rarity. We find ourselves living in a world marred by division in which it is increasingly difficult to have productive arguments. This conversation between three philosophers working at the intersection of public and academic philosophy will explore the fractious state of public discourse, why productive disagreement is essential, and how we can encourage more helpful and positive debate in the public sphere.

Adam Ferner has worked in academic philosophy both in France and the UK, but much prefers working outside academia in youth centres and other alternative learning spaces. He has published widely in philosophical and popular journals and is currently writing his fifth book, Philosophical Empires, with Chris Meyns, forthcoming later this year.

Darren Chetty is a writer and Teaching Fellow at University College London. He has published academic work on philosophy, education, racism, children’s literature and hip-hop culture. His latest book (co-written with Adam Ferner), How to Disagree: Negotiate Difference in a Divided World, was published last year. @rapclassroom

Grace Lockrobin is a Teaching Fellow at Leeds University. Her research interests include philosophy of education, moral education, and philosophy of mind and philosophy of action in relation to moral education. She is also Founder and Managing Director of Thinking Space, an education company dedicated to the business of bringing people into philosophical conversation with one another. She is co-editor of the 2019 collection, Philosophy and Community: Theories, Practices and Possibilities. @GraceLockrobin