Durham alumni and academics will take centre stage at Durham Book Festival 2026, with the three-day event bringing writers, thinkers, performers and broadcasters to the city from 9 to 11 October.
The programme, highlighted by Durham University, will explore literature, politics, history, music and poetry. Among the Durham-linked contributors are university alumni, academics and Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill.
Fiona Hill and Neil Tennant to discuss North East roots
Dr Hill will be joined by Pet Shop Boys musician Neil Tennant for an episode of her Forged in the North podcast series. The pair will discuss how growing up in North East England shaped Tennant’s journey to becoming one of Britain’s most influential songwriters.
The podcast has previously featured former Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, former athlete and Great North Run founder Brendan Foster, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, entrepreneur Sara Davies MBE, and musician and songwriter Sting.
Durham alumni returning for festival events
Author Lucy Foley, who studied English Literature at Grey College between 2005 and 2008, will appear as part of the festival’s 2026 Big Read. Foley has written seven novels, including The Hunting Party, a Sunday Times number one bestseller.
The novel will be distributed through 3,000 free copies across libraries, schools, hospitals and community organisations throughout the region, extending the Big Read beyond festival venues.
Michael Pedersen, who studied Law at University College from 2002 to 2005 and is Edinburgh’s Poet Laureate, or Makar, will join performance poet Hollie McNish for an evening of poetry and conversation at the Gala Theatre.
Also appearing is Katie Kennedy, who studied Education at Josephine Butler College in 2020-21. Known to more than 630,000 TikTok followers as The History Gossip, Kennedy was named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and combines humour with historical insight to make history accessible to new audiences.
Researchers to explore misogyny, myth and sleep
Durham researchers will contribute to discussions covering online misogyny, women’s rights, Greek mythology, sleep and the publishing process.
Professor Clare McGlynn of Durham Law School will join author Natasha Walter to examine the challenges posed by online misogyny and the fight for women’s rights. Classicist Professor Edith Hall will offer a new interpretation of the Greek myth of Medea.
Professor Naomi Booth will join writers Romalyn Ante and Sarah Hall for a conversation about Sleep Stories, including the ways environmental factors, motherhood and caregiving can shape women’s experiences of sleep. Booth will also appear with award-winning poet Kayo Chingonyi, an Assistant Professor in Durham’s Department of English Studies, to discuss publishing and offer advice to aspiring writers.
Professor Janet Stewart, Executive Dean of Durham University’s Faculty of Humanities, said: “The Festival embodies the best of our University: curiosity, creativity and the vibrant exchange of ideas.”
The university has directed audiences to the full Durham Book Festival programme for event details and to Dr Hill’s podcast series for further listening.