Feeling brainy? Join in London's new wave of intelligent socialising

1. Intelligence Squared

The international behemoth of debating still holds its own with one of the most exciting line-ups of speakers and topics over the summer. It has hosted some of the biggest names in big thinking, from Stephen Fry and Richard Dawkins to President Jimmy Carter and the late Christopher Hitchens. Coming in the autumn also will be The Intelligence Squared Book Club, featuring celebrated authors Will Self and Stella Rimington. Sure to get everyone worked up is their debate next week: 'Hip-Hop on trial: Hip-hop doesn't enhance society, it degrades it' with speakers including Estelle, Jesse Jackson and David Cameron's advisor on youth and crime, Shaun Bailey.

Hip-Hop on Trial will be on the 26th June at the Barbican Centre. Tickets are £10–£40

2. The Idler Academy

Tucked away in Notting Hil is this homage to the 1950s schoolroom. It's run by the affable Tom Hodgkinson with enough academic rigour to keep even Michael Gove happy. It's a bookshop, coffeehouse and classroom all rolled into one, so attendees are encouraged to while away a whole evening or afternoon there. Delightfully quirky workshops include calligraphy, ukelele lessons and herb gardening. Upcoming talks will come courtesy of Hugh Barker on the history of British hedges and on changing interpretations of beauty by international make up artist Attracta Courtney.

Beauty of the Ages - The Forgotten Woman will be on the 11th July at The Idler Academy, W11. Tickets cost £15.

3. 5x15

Veteran journalist Rosie Boycott founded these talks to recount 'stories of passion, obsession and adventure'. She sets only two rules for speakers: no scripts and only fifteen minutes each in which to captivate the audience. Tonight it will be the turn of David Baddiel, Orlando Figes, Robert Skidelsky, Clare Clark and Boycott herself.

David Baddiel and co will be on tonight at The Tabernacle, W11. Tickets range from £12 to £20. Discounts are offered for students and artists.

4. ToMax Talks

The new kid on the block of stimulating talks is also the most pocket-friendly option. Fresh out of university, 24 year-old Tom Clarke chairs the talks himself. He prides himself on creating an unstuffy atmosphere. The events are aimed at at a younger audience, reflected in speakers such as Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman discussing fashion and Francis Boulle of Made in Chelsea on the cult of celebrity. Tom and co-founder Max Mallows encourage a liberal amount of audience interaction: 'If you have an idea for a great talk, let us know and we will do our best to make it happen', they say. Events often take place in unusual locations such as Battersea's The Doodle Bar, St Stephen's Church in Notting Hill and Raffles nightclub in Chelsea.

Art and the Elements will be on next Tuesday will be at Wapping Hydraulic Power Station. Tickets are £5.

5. The School of Life

At the most abstract end of the spectrum is philosopher Alain de Botton's gatherings in his Bloomsbury clubhouse. There are workshops dealing with heavyweight topics, such as How To Face Death and How To Spend Time Alone, while on a lighter note, they also have conversation dinners and breakfasts. Talks are referred to as 'sermons' and upcoming preachers include Germaine Greer on anxiety and artist David Shrigley on Vice.

Germaine Greer on Heart's Ease will be on the 22nd July at 70 Marchmont Street, WC1N . Tickets are £10-£15.

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