Thinkers in Residence

Caroline Lucas

Caroline Lucas was first elected as Member of Parliament for Brighton Pavilion in 2010, becoming the UK’s first Green MP. She has served as the Green Party’s Leader (2008–12), Co-leader (2016–18) and Principal Speaker (2003–06, 2007–08), while advocating throughout for a different way of doing politics. She will stand down at the next election. Caroline's events at Hay Festival 2024 are:

Caroline Lucas: Another England

Mark Cocker, Nick Hayes and Nadia Shaikh talk to Caroline Lucas: Nature Connections

Leo Murray and Andrew Simms talk to Caroline Lucas: Badvertising

Ruby Wax

Ruby Wax’s acting and presenting career has spanned stage and screen, and her writing talent has created some of our favourite television comedies, from Girls on Top to Absolutely Fabulous. With a Masters from Oxford in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, Ruby is now also a mental health campaigner and author. Her latest book is I’m Not as Well as I Thought I Was. Ruby's events at Hay Festival 2024 are:

Ruby Wax and guests: Mental Health

Ruby Wax: Stand-up: I’m Not as Well as I Thought I Was

Alex Wheatle

Alex Wheatle's books include the modern classic Brixton Rock and the multi-award-winning Crongton series. He was awarded an MBE for his services to literature in 2008, has been twice nominated for the Carnegie Medal and has won numerous awards including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. His latest book is Sufferah: Memoir of a Brixton Reggae Head. Alex's events at Hay Festival 2024 are:

Vanessa Walters talks to Alex Wheatle: The Lagos Wife

Alex Wheatle: (Un)scripted: Crongton and Beyond