9 – 11 November · All day, each day
In November 2026 the PSC English Department is hosting 37 speakers, all with careers and backgrounds in the humanities. Together, we will explore a fundamental truth: humanity matters. Our speakers will talk about their backgrounds, careers and interests. They will share their reflections about the value and importance of what they do, what they read, what they write, what they say and what they think.
The talks and events are for PSC college students and participating local schools (by livestream) only. Programme for information only.
In collaboration with
'Blind Date with a Book' in the LRC throughout the festival, as well as P & G Wells bookshop and cafe in the SLT foyer
Science Lecture Theatre
Humanity Matters: Festival Launch
College Principal
(Degree: History)
Sara joined Peter Symonds in 2018 and is the College’s first female Principal. With more than 25 years’ experience in education, Sara has held a range of senior leadership roles across the sector and is widely respected for her commitment to widening opportunity and improving outcomes for young people and adults alike.
Science Lecture Theatre
Reviewing Matters
Writer and reviewer
(Degree: English Language and Literature)
James McConnachie is a writer of non-fiction with a particular interest in the ancient, exotic and offbeat. He has also worked as a teacher in Nepal, a researcher for the maverick historian Theodore Zeldin and, for 15 years, a travel writer — mostly in Italy, France and Nepal. He has written three books of (broadly) cultural history.
Science Lecture Theatre
Adventure Writing Matters
Travel writer and explorer
(Degree: Geography)
Jodi is a mountain leader, teacher and writer. His book New Forest 222 is a different sort of guide book. It divides the New Forest National Park into 222 individual mile squares, so every part is covered, and Jodi has visited every single one. He is currently writing a biography of the highest peak in every European country, and so far, has climbed 39 peaks to research the project.
Science Lecture Theatre
Novel Matters
Novelist and academic
(Degree: Creative Writing)
Helen is an Irish writer and academic living in Winchester. She has published two novels to date: The Lost Letters of William Woolf and The Truth Must Dazzle Gradually by Penguin Random House in Ireland and the UK, by Harper Collins in America and in translation across the world. Her third novel, Iseult, will be published in February 2027. Helen is also a Reader in Creative Writing at Brunel University of London, a literary critic for the Irish Times newspaper and writer for the Sunday Times Magazine.
Science Lecture Theatre
Radio Matters: In discussion with fellow alumni
Radio presenter
(Degree: English Literature)
Former Langlit student Onur is a Writing MA student at the University of Warwick, balancing academic research with a career in broadcasting and audio production. Since 2020, he has been presenting on Outreach Radio as "The Groovy Pelican," curating sets that span from post-punk and psychedelia to European folk.
Science Lecture Theatre
Filmmaking Matters: In discussion with fellow alumni
Digital producer
(Degree: Film and TV)
Former LangLit student Jesse is a Digital Production Coordinator at Woodcut Media Ltd. After graduating with a First-Class degree in Film, TV & Digital Production from Royal Holloway University of London in 2024, he has worked on short films and interned with The Walt Disney Company. At Woodcut Media, he writes scripts and co-produces broadcast-quality true crime documentaries for True Crime Uncut, Woodcut's YouTube channel, among other responsibilities.
Alongside his professional work, he is currently writing a London-set noir crime short film, making writing a daily part of his life.
Science Lecture Theatre
Marketing Matters: In discussion with fellow alumni
Higher Education Marketing
(Degree: Marketing)
Former Langlit student Aaron is a First Class Marketing graduate from the University of Winchester. He was awarded the Dean of Faculty Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement (2022-2023) and the BLDT Faculty Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement (2021-2022).
Currently working at United Colleges Group, he specialises in social media analytics and digital marketing.
Science Lecture Theatre
Humanity Matters: Keynote Talk
Managing Director of Waterstones and CEO Barnes and Noble
(Degree: History)
James is the founder of the Daunt Books chain, and since 2011 has been managing director of the bookshop chain Waterstones. Since 2019, Daunt has also been CEO of Barnes & Noble, the American bookstore chain. He was once described in an article in the Evening Standard as "the man who saved Waterstones".
Varley VY131
TV Matters
Screenwriter
(Degree: English Literature and Film Studies)
Martin is a screenwriter and novelist best known for his work on various spin-offs related to the BBC Television series Doctor Who, and many episodes of the soaps Fair City, Doctors and Family Affairs. Having worked previously at Bath Spa University and as a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Bristol, he is now Lecturer in Scriptwriting & Screenwriting at the University of Winchester.
Science Lecture Theatre
Creativity in STEM Matters
Renewable Energy Systems and writer/teacher of creative writing
(Degree: Engineering)
Francesco is the Application Design Manager leading a department of technical support for a renewable energy systems as his primary job but is also an author of (mainly) speculative fiction and a creative writing teacher and speaker. He is represented by Justin Nash at Kate Nash Literary Agency. He demonstrates how it possible to balance a STEM and a creative career at the same time.
Science Lecture Theatre
Storytelling Matters
Producer, filmmaker
(Degree: Bsc Biotechnology, Executive Masters in Change, INSEAD)
Vinati Makijany leads Mac Productions, a Mumbai-based film and television production company and champions stories that combine commercial appeal with meaningful social impact.
She is best known for co-writing and producing SKATER GIRL, India’s first feature film centered on skateboarding, released as a Netflix Original in 191 countries and 31 languages. She also co-founded Desert Dolphin Skatepark, a free community skatepark for rural children in Rajasthan, India.
Varley VY131
Creative Writing Workshop (Developing Characters)
Academic and novelist
(Degree: History)
Judith is Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, a novelist and the former Director of the Winchester Writers' Festival.She has been teaching Creative Writing at the University of Winchester since 2006, and currently leads the MA Creative Writing. She was awarded her Doctor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing) in 2018. Her latest novel, Birdeye, is published by Salt.
Science Lecture Theatre
History Matters
Academic and Historian
(Degree: English and French)
Alice's latest book is Republic: Britain's Revolutionary Decade, 1649-1660 (Faber and Faber, 2024). It was picked as one of the 'Best History Books of 2024' by The Times, Telegraph, Unseen Histories and History Today.
Alice is currently a co-investigator on a major AHRC research project, ‘The Visible Crown: Elizabeth II and the Caribbean, 1952-present’.
Science Lecture Theatre
Poetry Matters
Poet
(Degree: Creative Writing)
Susmita is from Mumbai, India. She received an MA in Creative Writing from Cardiff University in 2006 and has had many short stories and poems published in the UK and internationally. The Normal State of Mind is her debut novel.
Science Lecture Theatre
Memoir Matters
Memoirist and teacher
(Degree: Spanish)
James is the author of Where Will the Laughter Come From? He offers a richly observed, deeply human memoir of life as a teacher in Britain's independent school system - a world shaped as much by tradition and eccentricity as by discipline and expectation.
Science Lecture Theatre
Children's Writing Matters
Children's author and illustrator
(Degree: Fine Art)
Margaret is a Hampshire-based author and illustrator who studied a BA and MA in Fine Art Sculpture, and subsequently gained an MA in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. Margaret's mixed ethnic heritage inspires her exploration of identity and belonging
Varley VY131
Creative Writing Workshop (short stories)
Writer and workshop leader
(Degree: English)
Based in Wiltshire, Elizabeth has had a career in education and Literature Development and now writes full time. Her short fiction has won prizes and been published in a variety of outlets. She is currently working on a novel that explores the effects of world wars on family life. She is an experienced creative writing tutor and will be running a short story workshop.
Varley VY105
Script Writing Workshop
Creative writing teacher
(Degree: English and Drama)
Miriam is a creative writing teacher. She studied English and Drama, then trained to teach at the University of London Institute of Education. She has taught in the big cities of London and Birmingham, and also the Cathedral city of Winchester. Miriam will be running a script writing workshop, engaging with the themes of the festival.
Science Lecture Theatre
English Matters
Undergraduate English Freshers
(Degree: English)
Former Literature students Charlotte, Anna and Arjun have just started their undergraduate degrees at Oxford (Charlotte and Anna) and Warwick (Arjun). They completed their A Level English Literature last summer and will be reporting live via Zoom on their first impressions of university life.
Varley VY131
Ancient Matters
Academic
(Degree: Classics)
Dr Polly Stoker is Lecturer in Classical History and Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) in Classical Studies. She teaches on a range of modules covering Greek and Roman literature and culture and its legacy. She is a specialist in women's creative responses to classical literature and culture in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Science Lecture Theatre
In discussion with Stephen: Reading matters: in defence of libraries, books and reading in an information age
LRC Manager at PSC
(Degree: English and MA: Information & Library Management)
Hannah is the manager of the LRC at Symonds, as well as one of the Digital Learning Co-ordinators. With over twenty years working in college libraries, she has experienced huge changes in the library and information sector. She is particularly interested in navigating the digital age and promoting critical information literacy, as well as encouraging reading for intellectual curiosity, expanding perspectives or for fun.
Science Lecture Theatre
In discussion with Hannah: Reading matters: in defence of libraries, books and reading in an information age
PSC Deputy Principal
(Degree: History)
Stephen is a Deputy Principal at Symonds. He is a History graduate and teacher. At Symonds, he has responsibility for skills development, and navigating the challenges and opportunities created by AI.
Science Lecture Theatre
Language Matters
Professor of Linguistics
(Degree: Linguistics and Philosophy)
Lynne is a professor of linguistics at the University of Sussex in Brighton. She runs the blog Separated by a Common Language under the username Lynneguist and has written five books, including The Prodigal Tongue: The Love-Hate Relationship between British and American English.
Science Lecture Theatre
Soul Matters
Writer and broadcaster
(Degree: Theology)
Brian Draper is author of Soulfulness: Deepening the Mindful Life – among several other books on how to live and work with soul. He’s often heard on BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day, seeking spiritual sense within the news headlines (all in 2 minutes 45 seconds!). And meanwhile he works soulfully alongside the world’s biggest rock band of the past few decades, U2, as a writer for their official publications and website.
An average working week: he finishes writing a new book, works with the superstar DJ Martin Garrix on a written piece for U2’s forthcoming magazine, leads an autumn retreat walk and delivers a Thought for the Day, all of which adds up to earning a living doing the things he loves.
Science Lecture Theatre
Footie Reports Matter
Sports reporter
(Degree: Football Journalism)
Dan is Sports Reporter for the Daily Echo. He is a senior sports journalist and has over a decade of experience writing and creating digital content within sport, predominantly football.
Science Lecture Theatre
The News Matters
BBC News Presenter
(Degree: Mandarin and History)
Anjana presents the half hour regional South Today programme on BBC One and on the national and international BBC News Channel. She has worked across news and sports desks for the past 20 years at BBC London, BBC Sport, Sky Sports News, The Times, The Guardian, The Independent.
Science Lecture Theatre
Versatility Matters
Journalist and Novelist
(Degree: English)
Radhika is an award-winning journalist, an author, screenwriter, mentor and yoga teacher. She has 12 years’ experience writing features, interviews and opinion pieces for newspapers and magazines, as well as appearing on TV and radio. Radhika has published six novels for children and adults, which have been published into over 13 countries worldwide.
Science Lecture Theatre
Features Matter
Features writer (travel)
(Degree: Media and English)
Isobel is Senior Features Writer at Aspire, Travel Weekly Group. She writes about the luxury travel sector and travels all over the world to report on dream holidays and destinations.
Varley VY107
Books Matter
Independent bookshop manager
(Degree: Geology and Earth Sciences)
Steve changed career path from being a business analyst to becoming the 'curator and custodian' of P and G Wells bookshop in 2020. The bookshop is the oldest shop in Winchester and very possibly the oldest bookshop in the UK. In 2026 it was crowned the best bookshop in the South East.
Science Lecture Theatre
Reading Every Day Matters
Head of Religious Studies at PSC
(Degree: BA Hons Theology & Religious Studies, MA, Theology & Religious Studies)
Tara has been at Peter Symonds College for 25 years. In that time she has become Head of RS, introduced Philosophy A Level and more recently History of Art A Level. She still teaches RS and History of Art and has also taught Philosophy and English. Tara is an avid reader of fiction and non-fiction and is currently undertaking research in the development of crucifixion iconography in Late Antiquity
Science Lecture Theatre
Primary Teaching Matters: In discussion with fellow alumni
Teacher (alumna)
(Degree: Education)
Former English Language student Gabrielle graduated in 2023 and is now a primary school teacher at Halterworth Primary School specialising in early years. She is a strong advocate for outdoor learning.
Science Lecture Theatre
Secondary Teaching Matters: In discussion with fellow alumni
Teacher (alumna)
(Degree: History)
A Former English Language student, Lucy is a Teach First English Trainee and current PGCE student placed at Alderwood School in Aldershot. She graduated from the University of York in 2026.
Science Lecture Theatre
Sixth Form Teaching Matters: In discussion with fellow alumni
Teacher (alumna)
(Degree: English Language and Linguistics)
Former English Language student Milly graduated in 2025 and is now an A Level teacher of English Language and Peter Symonds College. She did a PGCE in Further Education at the University of Portsmouth and completed her training at Peter Symonds College.
Science Lecture Theatre
Translation Matters: In discussion with fellow alumni
Teacher (alumna)
(Degree: Modern Language with Linguistics)
Former English Language student Maddy is currently doing an MA in Translation and AI at the University of Surrey, having completed her undergraduate degree at Warwick, which included a year abroad at the Université Grenoble Alpes and a placement in Seville.
Science Lecture Theatre
Theatre Matters
Actor, writer, clown
(Degree: Russian Studies)
Susanna is an award-winning actor, clown and artist-educator. Her critically acclaimed solo show Nearly Lear has toured internationally from Broadway to the Sydney Opera House and Hotel Elsinore, a retelling of Hamlet is a collaborative show with her two adult children. Her latest play Mrs Macbeth has just returned from the Edinburgh Fringe and will have a run at Riverside Studios in London in the New Year.