About Us

The York Debating Society is the University of York’s premier forum for non-partisan discussion and debate on any, and every, subject.

As well as holding weekly Public Debates to which anyone is welcome to come along, hear our speakers, and express their views, we offer classes for whatever level of debate you want, and compete most weekends at Inter-Varsity competitions across the country and internationally.

Aside from formal debate, we host a wider range of guest speakers than any other society at York, ranging in 2007/8 from the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, to a representative of the Church of Scientology. Socials are a big part of Society life at York – from trips to the pub, though picnics in the summer, through to our Christmas Ball… and in early 2010, York is held its second IV tournament. Look out for the York Open in summer 2010!

Never to shy away from the controversial – from international affairs to questions of morality, via the more comical – we hope to offer a platform for free discussion of whatever you think is important.

For more information about the Society, join our Facebook group, or email [email protected].

Chris Montanaro
President