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, Kamila Shamsie, Laline Paull and others.

The two-day programme

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

Lecture: Historicising (in)equality, 1800–2025

Lecture Theatre, Schwarzman Centre

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

Canapés, mingle & art exhibition

Schwarzman Centre

MTMaija TammiArtist
7:00–9:00 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

Kamila Shamsie in conversation with Kim Stanley Robinson — facilitated by Nayanika Mathur (Oxford) & Anette Mikes

Schwarzman Centre, Oxford

KSKamila ShamsieNovelist KRKim Stanley RobinsonNovelist NMNayanika MathurAnthropologist, Oxford AMAnette MikesCo-founder

Facilitated by Venus Bivar: Kamila Shamsie in conversation with Ann Kelly, Katrina Navickas, Nick Lawrence & Mukul Sharma

Schwarzman Centre, Oxford

KSKamila ShamsieNovelist AKAnn KellyPanellist KNKatrina NavickasPanellist NLNick LawrencePanellist MSMukul SharmaPanellist VBVenus BivarFacilitator

Past events

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

Browse archive