Founder

External Job: Programme Manager for the Civil Service

Preferred Pronouns: He / Him

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? To grow in wisdom and to see life from different perspectives

Which philosophical thought / idea most resonates with you? "The universe is change, life is judgement" - Marcus Aurelius

Trustee

External Job: Operations Manager at the University of Birmingham 

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? I love having thought provoking discussions with others, learning new things and being prompted to question my mindset, I thought this was the perfect way to do it!  

Which philosophical thought / idea most resonates with you? ‘Don't worry, be happy.’

Trustee

External Job: Head of Operations, University of Birmingham

Preferred Pronouns: She/her

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? One of my core values is growth and by joining The Philosopher’s Yard, I’m able to enhance my understanding of life’s big questions and enter into dialogue with like-minded people. 

Which philosophical thought / idea most resonates with you? Every decision should make the world a better place.

Trustee

External Job: Associate Professor of Philosophy of Education, University of Birmingham

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? I am passionate about bringing the skills of philosophical thinking to the general public. I think that everyone has an interest in philosophy because everyone asks ‘big questions’ about life, morality, beauty and what it means to live well.

Which philosophical thought / idea most resonates with you? This is an impossible question to answer! When I was studying philosophy, I was very taken with existentialism and thoughts captured by Simone de Beauvoir about what it means to be human and a woman. As I kept studying, I fell in love with the writing and ideas of Martha Nussbaum, who argues that the humanities are central to a good education and defends the role for narrative artworks in helping develop our moral imagination and sympathy. Her ideas have been very influential on my thinking.

Trustee

External Job: Lecturer in Theology and Ethics, University of Edinburgh

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? To have the space to discuss complex issues in a respectful and honest environment and to hear different perspectives.

Which philosophical thought / idea most resonates with you? "Love your neighbour as yourself" - Mark 12:31

Volunteer | Meetup Coordinator | Digital Marketing

University Subject: Computer Science

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? I have a passion for creating spaces and opportunities for people to connect.

Which philosophical thought / idea most resonates with you? ‘’In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer’’- Albert Camus

Volunteer | Strategy & Delivery | Web-Dev

University Subject: Computer Science BSc

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? After attending the first sessions of the Philosophers Yard, I was struck by the fascinating speakers and enlightening conversations - both of which I enjoyed very much. I wanted to give back to this wonderful community and help it flourish into something that can benefit everyone.

Which philosophical thought / idea most resonates with you? “Only the gods are wise; however, man, by love of wisdom, can mediate between foolishness and wisdom, moving towards the higher from the lower. Thus, no man is wise, but we can all be philosophers and, through this, become like the gods.”
- Socrates (paraphrased) in The Symposium by Plato

Volunteer | Strategy & Delivery

University subject: BA Politics and International Relations

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? I had been looking for a space where people are open to have real, thought-provoking conversations, exploring why we think and live the way we do. I love using what I learn to build connections that help people understand themselves and each other - especially across generations.

Which philosophical thought / idea most resonates with you? “When we choose to love, we choose to move against fear, against alienation and separation. The choice to love is a choice to connect - to find ourselves in the other.” — bell hooks, All About Love: New Visions

Volunteer | Design & Delivery

External Job: Programme Admin in the NHS.

Preferred Pronouns: She/her

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? To explore strange new worlds

Which philosophical thought / idea most resonates with you? “Life is warfare, and a visit to a strange land; the only lasting fame is oblivion” - Marcus Aurelius

Volunteer | Delivery

External Job: Support Worker

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? I thought it was a cool concept and enjoyed socialising and meeting people at my first event! I felt very comfortable and liked the people so decided to volunteer! I've wanted to volunteer for something different other than caring for people :)

Which philosophical thought / idea most resonates with you? ‘The courage to be disliked’

Volunteer | Business Development & Engagement

University subject: Modern Languages with Business Management

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? I wanted to contribute to TPY's work creating open spaces for meaningful conversation.

Which philosophical thought/ idea most resonates with you? There’s always more you can learn.

Intern | Business Development & Engagement

University subject: MSc Management

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? I really appreciate how accessible everything is, with flexible ticketing and hybrid formats. With my background in management and community engagement, I can’t wait to contribute and help create a real impact in the community.

Which philosophical thought / idea most resonates with you? I’m drawn to existentialism because I believe we’re all responsible for creating our own meaning in life. I also resonate with feminist philosophy. I appreciate the connection between art, beauty, and self-expression.

Intern | Education Projects

University subject: Philosophy

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? I really love the philosopher’s Yard’s commitment to community and how accessible they make philosophy for everyone.

Which philosophical thought / idea most resonates with you? The approach of philosophical scepticism in challenging assumptions and questioning everything!

Education Facilitator

University subject: Philosophy

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? To share my passion for philosophy with others.

Which philosophical thought / idea most resonates with you? Never presume.

Volunteer | Business Development & Engagement

University subject: MSc Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? I found out about TPY at a critical time in life, and one conversation at a meetup completely shifted the way I was thinking about my world. It felt like a calling, a space where I could explore ideas, challenge my perspectives and better understand the bounds of humanity and how we think.

Which philosophical thought/ idea most resonates with you? The idea that a brief encounter with a stranger can change our lives forever resonates deeply with me. Martin Buber's 'I-Thou' philosophy captures this beautifully: "All real living is meeting". It's in these fleeting yet profound moments, when we truly see and are seen, that our perspectives shift, sometimes in ways we don't fully understand until much later.

Volunteer | Practice Facilitator

External Job: SEND Music Teacher & Founder of www.theOVERHEAR.app

Preferred Pronouns: he/him

Why did you want to join The Philosophers' Yard? Philosophers Yard approached me due to my Authentic Relating experience. They are a perfect fit for me to develop this practice with an open minded group of thinkers.

Which philosophical thought / idea most resonates with you? I like the work of John Vervaeke and Iain McGilchrist especially in terms of how we make meaning. Vervaeke’s Relevance Realisation is particularly compelling.