Two Lancaster University professors will join some of the world’s leading thinkers to debate some of the biggest ideas of today at a global online festival.

Professor Linda Woodhead and Professor Professor Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad, from the University’s Politics, Philosophy and Religion Department, will take part in HowTheLightGetsIn Global Festival on September 19 and 20.

They will join an impressive line-up of speakers including former Labour politician David Milliband, C4 news presenter Jon Snow, international campaigner Bianca Jagger and Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee to name but a few.

Professor Woodhead Linda will give a solo talk on ‘Values are the New Religion’ (Saturday, September 19 at 5pm) as well as taking part in debate about the importance of ritual when she will argue that personal rituals help ground us in a time of social instability (‘Form and Ritual’ on Sunday, September 20 at 2.30pm).

Professor Ram-Prasad will Ram will take part in a debate ‘Beyond Right and Wrong’ (Sunday, September 20 at 9am). Drawing on the logic, metaphysics and ethics of the classical Indian philosophers of Jainism, he will argue that we must radically rethink the very nature of debates over what is right and wrong.

This year the festival, an online immersive experience, will feature more than 200 events livestreamed across 7 virtual stages over the weekend for 19 hours of world beating live content each day including talks, debates, music acts, and comedy shows.

For the first time, HowTheLightGetsIn, a festival of ideas and music, is catering to time zones across the world, focusing on the three cities of Delhi, New York and London.

Festival goers will be able to meet the speakers, make friends, talk over the events they've seen and explore the virtual site.

The first HowTheLightGetsIn Festival was held in May this year and the September event builds on that experience and steps it up a gear.

The organisers are working with video game developers to create an experience that is as close to real life as possible enabling participants to move between venues.

The festival takes its name from the Leonard Cohen song ‘Anthem’ from the lyric: 'There is a crack in everything // That’s how the light gets in'.

The festival is aimed at all ages – anyone who has a passion for big ideas!

Students get a 20% discount, and the festival ticket allows access to all debates and talks, as well as music into the early hours from Grammy award winning artists.

For more information go to https://howthelightgetsin.org/global