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 Twitter 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 both in-person and online 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 some online events, there may also be the option to watch a live stream on YouTube (please note that those watching on YouTube will unfortunately not be able to ask the speakers a question). To find out if live stream is available, please refer to the individual event webpage or contact the Events Team in advance.

How much do events cost?

All British Academy Lectures and our online events are free to attend. A fee is charged for British Academy Conferences and other selected in-person events. 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 our monthly events e-newsletter.

Does my ticket guarantee me a seat?

As tickets are free, people often request more than they need, 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.

Most of our online events take place on Zoom Webinar or YouTube. Information about how to join events on these platforms can be found below.

Events on Zoom Webinar

How do I register for an online event on Zoom Webinar?

Events hosted on Zoom Webinar require pre-booking. You can register for an event via the event page by clicking 'Book' which takes you to a TicketTailor page registration page.

The British Academy's online events are free. The link will be emailed to you once you have registered through TicketTailor (via buytickets.at). There is an option to make a donation when booking for the event but we will never ask for your credit card details to view our free events. Please be cautious about any links posted on Facebook event pages. Make sure to check that the 'Event by' text in the event details box links to the official British Academy Facebook page.

An email will be sent to confirm your registration, along with the option to add the event to your calendar. Your Zoom Webinar link will be provided in this email.

How do I join an online event on Zoom Webinar?

To join the event simply click the Zoom Webinar link in your confirmation or reminder email. You may be asked to enter your email address and name upon entering the event. Attendees can choose to enter their name as 'anonymous' or not to enter their full name. Other attendees and speakers may be able to see your name if you ask a question, 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.

Do I need a Zoom account to join?

You might be asked to log in to Zoom to access some events. It is therefore advisable to create a free Zoom account (if you do not already have one) at least 15 minutes before the event starts. You may also want to download the desktop or mobile app ahead of the event. You can download the app for mobile and tablet from your app store, and you can then set up an account inside the app. To download for a laptop or PC, you will need to visit Zoom - a ‘Sign up’ button to create an account will be on the homepage. We recommend allowing at least 15 minutes to install and set up an account for the first time.

What time should I join?

Zoom Webinar events will open a couple of minutes before the advertised start time. If you click the event link before this time you will be held in a queue and admitted automatically when the event begins.

Can I ask a question during the event?

Event attendees can pose questions for the speakers using the Q&A function at the bottom of the screen.

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. You can also try closing Zoom and re-joining using the link in your confirmation email, or restarting your device.

Events on YouTube

How do I join an online event on YouTube?

Events hosted on YouTube require no pre-booking – you simply need to click the link on the relevant event webpage which will take you to the event on our YouTube channel. The event will start automatically at the allotted time.

Can I ask a question during the event?

Some events hosted on YouTube will involve a Q&A segment. If the speaker/performer can take questions, you will see a pinned comment from the British Academy underneath the video which 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. If your connection is still weak, you can simply return to our YouTube channel at a later date to watch the event on-demand.

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.

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 non-bookable 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.

Is free Wi-Fi available at events?

Free Wi-Fi is available for all those who attend events at the British Academy. Log in 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. Those not wishing to be included in any footage will be asked to notify staff on the day.

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 14-18 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. Please either bring it with you, printed out or on your smartphone, or you can simply give your name on arrival.

Does the British Academy have a café or bar?

No. There are however 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 ticketed events, a concession rate is offered to: unwaged / retired / students / disabled. 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 020 7969 5200.

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

Refunds for ticketed events 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 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 audio record all our public events, excluding conferences, 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 Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). 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 BEIS twice a year.

The British Academy is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. Please take the time to read our privacy policy.