Leeds International Festival of Ideas adds Tasha Ghouri and Rachel Riley to 2026 line-up
Leeds International Festival of Ideas has unveiled major new additions to its 2026 programme, bringing deaf advocate Tasha Ghouri and Countdown legend Rachel Riley MBE to the city this October
Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI) has expanded its 2026 programme with two major event announcements, adding television presenter Tasha Ghouri and Countdown icon Rachel Riley MBE to this autumn’s line-up.
Taking place at the festival’s Courtyard venue, the newly announced sessions bolster an already stacked schedule, tackling topics ranging from disability representation and accessibility to the surprising, real-world ways mathematics shapes our daily lives.
The additions kick off on October 7, with a special lunchtime panel celebrating Leeds’ landmark status as the UK’s first-ever City of Maths.
Titled ‘Is maths the root of everything? ’, the session aims to strip away formula-induced anxiety and highlight how numbers serve as a vital tool for solving major societal challenges—from climate change and music composition to medical science and space exploration.
Leading the discussion is Countdown numbers whizz and numeracy campaigner Rachel Riley MBE, who will be joined by a diverse panel of experts.
The lineup features MathsWorldUK chief executive Dr Katie Chicot, Leeds Conservatoire composer Professor Ben Gaunt, Lloyds Banking Group weather and catastrophe modelling specialist Dr Ollie Halliday, and University of Leeds infection control pioneer Professor Catherine Noakes OBE, whose airborne transmission research critically informed public health policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following evening (October 8), the focus shifts to inclusion and resilience for an inspiring fireside chat titled ‘Strength beyond the silence.’
Hosted by broadcaster and arts accessibility campaigner Dr Hannah French, the session explores what it takes to succeed in a world not built with accessibility in mind.
The panel brings together groundbreaking content creator and deaf advocate Tasha Ghouri - known for her high-profile appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and Love Island - alongside world-renowned, award-winning deaf percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie.
Together, they will share personal insights on challenging societal stereotypes, dismantling industry barriers, and turning their unique perspectives into their greatest professional strengths.
Both events represent a significant coup for the festival, reinforcing LIFI’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading platforms for accessible, high-impact public conversation.
Tickets for both Is maths the root of everything? and Strength beyond the silence are available via the official Leeds International Festival of Ideas website, with early booking recommended given the limited capacity inside the Courtyard venue.