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̽»¨Ö±²¥2019 programme launches today with 273 - mostly free - events on topics ranging from the US presidential elections, the paintings of Yoko Ono, Stonewall at 50, climate justice, the future of China and Brexit.

̽»¨Ö±²¥Festival, now in its 12th year, celebrates the enormous impact of arts, humanities and social sciences on our daily lives and encourages lively discussion about many of today's most challenging global issues. It takes place fromÌý14 – 27 OctoberÌý2019.

There are events - from exhibitions, film screenings, talks and more - for all the family, including hands-on workshops for children, such as an Arctic Family Day and artist-led workshops on life in Cambridge.Ìý

̽»¨Ö±²¥theme this year is change and many of the events focus on transformation, the implications of the technology revolution and wide-ranging social and political changes, from elder care and homeworking to house sharing.

Political change is represented in events such as a special live edition of the popular podcast as the clock ticks down on Brexit, , a talk by Professor David Runciman on ,Ìý,Ìýand .Ìý

Events related to technological transformation include:

- - an event organised by Giving Voices to Digital Democracies project on the implications of rapid changes driven by AI for digital democracies

- - a discussion about whether automation will make us redundant or make human qualities more sought after

- Ìýis interviewed by Professor Ann Copestake on data bias in a world designed for menÌý

Events related to social transformation include:

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- - Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research hosts a panel on subjects ranging from multigenerational living to co-housing and life as a digital nomad

Events relating to cultural change include:

- Charles Saumarez-Smith on , drawing on his experience at the V & A, National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery and as Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Arts

- on the themes of violence and healing, a screening of the 1969 film RAPE, directed by Yoko Ono and John Lennon and a talk by curator Gabriella Daris on the way Ono's work resonates with the increasing complexity of today's world.

David Cain, the Cambridge Festival of Ideas manager, said: " ̽»¨Ö±²¥Cambridge Festival of Ideas highlights the latest thinking about the important topics shaping our lives.ÌýÌýChange is everywhere. As we change too, so do you. And sometimes the smallest change makes the biggest difference.ÌýI'm looking forward to welcoming you toÌýthe ̽»¨Ö±²¥Ìý or a series of thought-provoking events this October asÌýwe explore change in all its forms, identifying its challenges and embracing its opportunities."

̽»¨Ö±²¥FestivalÌýsponsors and partners are St John’s College, Anglia Ruskin ̽»¨Ö±²¥, Heffers, RAND Europe, ̽»¨Ö±²¥ of Cambridge Museums and Botanic Garden, Cambridge Junction and Cambridge ̽»¨Ö±²¥ Press. ̽»¨Ö±²¥Festival media partners are BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and Cambridge Independent.

* ̽»¨Ö±²¥programme is available in hard copy around Cambridge and online at www.cam.ac.uk/festivalofideas. Bookings open at 11am on 23rd September 2019. Follow the Festival on Twitter atÌýÌýand on Facebook atÌý