Events FAQ

How can I find out about forthcoming events?

Forthcoming events that are open to the public are listed on the British Academy events page. To stay up to date with the events programme, including any changes to event details, sign up to our e-newsletter and follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Do I need to register in advance?

Most events require advance registration. Check the individual event webpage to see whether registration is required.

How do I register for events?

Details of how to register for each event can be found on the individual event webpage.

The event is fully booked, how can I get a place?

For in-person events, an online waiting list will open. In order to join the waiting list, please follow the instructions on the individual event webpage. If a place becomes available, tickets will be allocated to those on the waiting list in the order that people joined, with notification sent via email. A returns queue will also be in operation on the day of most in-person events (please check with the Events Team in advance: [email protected].).

For most of our online events, the event will be streamed via Vimeo and we will not limit capacity, but attendees will still need to book to receive the streaming link. On some occasions, we may host online events with limited capacities. On these occasions attendees will be invited to book as usual and a waiting list will come into operation should the event become fully booked.

If you are no longer able to attend an event, please do let us know so that we can allocate your ticket to someone on our waiting list. You can cancel your ticket via Eventbrite, or by emailing [email protected].

How much do events cost?

All our public events and British Academy Lectures are free to attend. A fee is charged for British Academy Conferences. Please refer to the individual event webpage for further information.

How can I find out about future events?

All British Academy events are listed on the events section of our website. You can also sign up to receive Read, Watch, Listen, our events e-newsletter.

Does my ticket guarantee me a seat?

Free events

As tickets are free, people sometimes book and don't attend, so we have to issue more tickets than there are seats available to allow for this.

We do consider carefully how many extra tickets to issue for each event, and it is rare that we have to disappoint ticket holders, but we recommend arriving in good time. Unfortunately, we cannot predict what time other audience members choose to arrive and therefore cannot give any specific time by which to arrive to ensure admission.

Entry into the event is on a first-come, first-served basis, and is not guaranteed.

Events with a ticket fee

For events where there is a ticket fee, such as British Academy Conferences, your ticket will guarantee you a seat. We do not overbook for these events.

Where do events take place?

Many of our events take place at the British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AH. However, we also hold events at a range of venues across the UK, so it is important that you check the individual event webpage for the correct details.

What time should I arrive?

Doors open approximately 30 minutes before the advertised start time. Admission to events is on a first come first served basis. Please note that for free bookable events, any places not taken 5 minutes before the event starts may be allocated to the returns queue. We ask you to bear this in mind when planning your arrival time.

Please note that for events that are free, people sometimes book and don't attend, so we have to issue more tickets than there are seats available to allow for this.

We do consider carefully how many extra tickets to issue for each event, and it is rare that we have to disappoint ticket holders, but we recommend arriving in good time. Unfortunately, we cannot predict what time other audience members choose to arrive and therefore cannot give any specific time by which to arrive to ensure admission.

Entry into the event is on a first-come, first-served basis, and is not guaranteed.

Is free Wi-Fi available at events?

Free Wi-Fi is available for all those who attend events at the British Academy. Login details can be found at reception upon arrival.

Will there be filming and photography at your events?

Filming and/or photography takes place at some British Academy events. Footage and images are used to promote the work of the British Academy and to further the reach of our events. Where filming and/or photography will be taking place, clear signage will be displayed at the event. Please notify staff on arrival if you do not wish to be included in any footage or photography.

I am under 18, can I book to attend one of your events?

We regret that we are unable to accept bookings from under 18s. Bookings must be made by a parent, teacher or guardian. Children age 16-18 can attend an event unaccompanied if they have the consent of their parent or guardian.

Do you issue tickets for in-person events?

An e-ticket is issued for bookable events and will be attached to your booking confirmation email. You can show this on a smartphone or simply give your name on arrival. There is no need to print the e-ticket out; please consider the planet and the environmental impact before you print.

Does the British Academy have a café or bar?

Some of our public events will have a pay bar available. Please refer to the individual event page for more information. There are also a number of cafés and bars in nearby Trafalgar Square.

Are latecomers admitted to in-person events?

Yes, if disruption is kept to a minimum for those in attendance. The British Academy does however reserve the right to refuse entrance to those who arrive late, particularly those who arrive 15 minutes after an event has started.

Accessibility at British Academy in-person events

We are committed to ensuring that the widest number of people can enjoy our building and events. Please read about accessibility at the British Academy to plan your visit. A select number of public events feature live subtitling to support deaf, deafened and hard of hearing attendees. Please refer to the individual events pages for further information. 

For events with a ticket fee, a concession rate is offered to: unwaged / retired / students / disabled people. Free entrance is offered to companions or carers of disabled visitors.

If you require any further information, extra assistance or specialist facilities please contact the Events Team by emailing [email protected] or calling +44(0)20 7969 5210.

I’m a member of the press; can I register for a press seat?

For most events we are able to set aside a limited number of seats for members of the press in advance. Please contact the Press Office if you would like to request a press seat or have a media enquiry about an event.

Most of our online events take place on Vimeo. Information about how to join these events can be found below.

How do I watch an event on Vimeo?

The majority of our online events on Vimeo are free, but we ask that you register to receive the viewing link. You can book via the event page on our website. You will be sent a link to watch the event via email.

You may be asked to enter your name. Other attendees and speakers may be able to see your name if you ask a question or post in the chat, and the speakers might refer to attendees’ names while managing the audience Q&A segment. When submitting a question, you can choose to enter this anonymously. Please note that only the speakers videos will be on; attendees will not be visible.

What time should I join?

Vimeo events will start at the advertised start time. If you click the event link before this time you will see a holding image until the event begins.

The event should have started but I can't see anything, what should I do?

Sometimes browsers do not automatically refresh when an event stream begins. If you can still see the holding image, try refreshing your browser.

Can I ask a question during the event?

Events on Vimeo will usually involve a Q&A segment. If the speaker/performer can take questions, the British Academy team will invite viewers to post a question with instructions for where and how to do this.

I’m having connectivity issues, what can I do?

If your video or sound is patchy or breaking up, close any other programmes or apps using the internet on your PC, mobile or tablet. Try turning Wi-Fi off on other devices (for example your phone or other computers or tablets), and if possible, move closer to the Wi-Fi router. We usually record our events (subject to permission from our speakers to do so) and share these on our social media channels and YouTube where we can. If you were unable to access the event live, please get in touch with the Events Team, who will share an on demand link, if available.

Accessibility at British Academy online events

We aim to offer live subtitling at all public events held online. Please refer to the individual event page for further details about whether this service is provided. Please contact the Events Team in advance [email protected] if there is any other way that we can support you joining an event.

Refunds for events with a ticket fee are offered to those who cancel their place up to seven days before the event is due to take place.

In the unlikely event of the British Academy having to cancel any public events, we will endeavour to give event attendees four weeks’ notice if cancellation relates to low ticket sales. If cancellation relates to force majeure, such as speaker illness or extraordinary circumstances beyond our control, the Academy will strive to give attendees as much notice as is feasibly possible. Where such situations arise, the Academy will refund all bookers.

Are all events recorded?

We aim to record our events subject to the permission of those involved. Available recordings can be found via the individual event webpages or on the British Academy SoundCloud channel or the British Academy YouTube channel .

Do you provide transcripts of your events?

Transcripts for our public events are not available. However, articles derived from some British Academy events are published in the online, open-access Journal of the British Academy or in the British Academy Review. 

For all information and enquiries about hiring rooms at the British Academy, please visit {10-11} Carlton House Terrace.

The British Academy receives public funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). As part of our funding obligations, we collect anonymous feedback from events to measure how we are meeting our funding objectives. Feedback is collated as statistical data, with headline statistics shared with DSIT twice a year.

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