The Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities

"What have intellectuals ever done for the world?"

When Birkbeck, University of London announced the creation of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities, that was the cynical reaction from one UK newspaper columnist. We disagree, as did most of the people who replied to the column.

From its foundation in 1823 to offer university-level education to the working people of London , Birkbeck has devoted itself to the idea that education is a public good and that intellectuals have a public role. The Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities is an exciting new contribution to that task.

With our central and historic London base in Bloomsbury , we can draw on a wide and varied audience of students, academics, policy-makers and journalists. We do not see ourselves as a 'retreat' for academics, but as actively part of a wider world, with most of our activities open to everyone.

You can read about the aims of the Institute here.

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See the Activities page for current and past events, visit What's On Elsewhere to see what other affiliated events are taking place at Birbeck, including those taking place in the Birkbeck Institute for Social Research.

**New** Podcasts of some events now available

BIH in the media