Presented by journalist, environmentalist and activist George Monbiot - and masterclass was filled to capacity. It was perhaps a bit less structured than usual, without handouts or visual aids. But this was a different kind of gig - with Monbiot standing at the front talking to us, and we were mostly spellbound. He spoke with great enthusiasm and energy - about his career trajectory, his early days at the BBC, and his rather scary stint in Indonesia.
His views are often unconventional and sometimes unpopular - he describes his position as heterodox; and expressed his concern at the narrowness of the mainstream news agenda, highlighting that many important and current issues, such as soil degradation, are overlooked. He said we should be ‘bristling with indignation’. In the programme’s second half, Monbiot shared some practical advice, providing insight into his complicated filing system, meeting deadlines and his creative process. George Monbiot is a compelling speaker, and this inspiring evening flew by.