What we do

Six public conversations across Oxford’s great halls.

Free public events bringing writers, scientists and policymakers into the same room — across Oxford and beyond.

‘Impact from within’ · Nelson Mandela Lecture Theatre, Saïd Business School

Since 2024, OMF has brought leading writers, artists and scientists into genuine dialogue with Oxford’s researchers — on climate, biodiversity, inequality and the century ahead.

Our last event, in Sweden, inaugurated our first European chapter — the Uppsala Ministry for the Future. Forthcoming events turn to global inequality, agriculture and climate, and the crisis of capitalism.

About the Ministry
6Oxford events
1EUROPEAN CHAPTER
40+Speakers
’24–’26Two years running
Venues Sheldonian Theatre · Trinity College · Weston Library · Schwarzman Centre · Skoll Centre · Uppsala University

Upcoming Event

Utopian Dreams, Dystopian Realities:
Why Inequality Persists

Our biggest event yet — two days at the Schwarzman Centre, Oxford, exploring why inequality is so difficult to defeat, and imagining how a more equal future might look. Featuring Thomas Piketty, Kim Stanley Robinson, Brian Eno, Joanna Kavenna, Jason Hickel, Nick Hanauer, Maija Tammi and others.

The two-day programme

Monday · 23 November 2026
A history of utopia & dystopia
2:00–4:00 pm

Lecture: Historicising inequality, 1800–2025

Lecture Theatre, Schwarzman Centre

TPThomas PikettyEconomist KRKim Stanley RobinsonNovelist · Chair
4:30–7:00 pm

Art installation ‘Care Fall’, drinks & canapés

Schwarzman Centre

MTMaija TammiArtist
7:00–8:30 pm Keynote

A History of Utopia: Brian Eno & Kim Stanley Robinson

Sohmen Concert Hall · Schwarzman Centre, Oxford

BEBrian EnoComposer & artist KRKim Stanley RobinsonNovelist
Tuesday · 24 November 2026
Why inequality persists
2:00–4:00 pm

Joanna Kavenna & Kim Stanley Robinson in conversation with Jason Hickel & Oxford Academics — facilitated by Anette Mikes and Venus Bivar

Schwarzman Centre, Oxford · hosted by OMF and TORCH

JKJoanna Kavenna KRKim Stanley RobinsonNovelist JHJason Hickel AMAnette MikesCo-founder VBVenus BivarFacilitator
4:30–6:00 pm

In-depth session: responses to inequality — from de-growth to middle-out economics

Schwarzman Centre, Oxford · co-hosted by INET

JHJason Hickel NHNick Hanauer

Presented with TORCH (The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities) and INET (Oxford Institute for New Economic Thinking), with support from the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, the Saïd Business School, the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities and Hertford College. Further details to follow.

Past events

Seven events since June 2024 — all available to watch in the archive.

Browse archive