22nd AprilExploring the Big Questions: Students Attend UCL Philosophy Conference
A huge well done to our Year 12 students, Brandon and Hajara, and our Year 11 students, Zainab, Delphine, Sarah, Demi, and Niya, who proudly represented our school at the ‘I Didn’t Know Philosophers Did That!’ conference held at University College London over the February half term.
The event offered an exciting and eye-opening opportunity for students to engage with a range of Philosophy lectures and workshops, exploring diverse and thought-provoking topics. One of the standout sessions questioned, "Can rap music and violent video games be bad for us?"—a topic that sparked lively debate and critical thinking. The day also featured a live podcast recording of “Dangerous Art” with Dr Daisy Dixon from Cardiff University, which captivated the audience with its exploration of how art communicates meaning and its philosophical significance.
Reflecting on the experience, Sarah shared:
“The conference made me realise that philosophy is a lot broader than I originally thought and it is relevant in lots of aspects of everyday life. Each of the speakers explained how philosophy has changed them as people and how it helps them respond to daily challenges, so it must be very beneficial.”
Niya added:
“I wasn’t sure what exactly to expect of the conference, however I can say that overall it was an enjoyable experience. Many of the talks investigated stimulating questions such as whether ‘drill music’ or ‘video games’ really have the negative impact on people as stigmatised. Personally, I found the concluding live podcast of ‘Dangerous Art’ with Dr Daisy Dixon insightful. I felt a connection to see someone from a state school having an impactful and successful career in a challenging yet undervalued subject. Dr Daisy made some interesting points such as ‘Philosophy is the oldest form of discipline in the world’ and that it ‘Gave birth to sciences and history as we know’. She said that various forms of art are all methods of ‘speech’ and communicate a message, adding ‘An artwork’s purpose derives from its origins. Why, who for and how they were made (its functions) are integral to its meaning’.”
Zainab also reflected positively, saying:
“The conference allowed us to dive deeper into topics we do not usually explore – which overall made the conference mind-opening and engaging.”
It was a day filled with learning, inspiration, and new perspectives. Our students engaged brilliantly, asked thoughtful questions, and demonstrated a genuine curiosity about the world of philosophy. They were a credit to our school throughout.
You can get a taste of the day by watching the event overview here: Watch the video
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