Keynote Announcement: Professor Angie Hobbs to Lead Pluartis Symposium 2026
BRUSSELS / SHEFFIELD – We are delighted to announce that Professor Angie Hobbs, a world-renowned authority on classical philosophy, will be the keynote speaker for our inaugural flagship event: The Pluartis Symposium 2026.
Professor Hobbs will guide participants through this year’s central theme, Architecture of the Soul: Building the Inner Citadel, held from 20–22 August in the historic coastal city of Pula, Croatia.
A Global Voice for Philosophy
Professor Hobbs is the Professor of the Public Understanding of Philosophy Emerita at the University of Sheffield. With a PhD in Ancient Philosophy from the University of Cambridge, her career has been dedicated to making the profound insights of the classical world accessible and actionable for the modern public.
Media & Public Life: A familiar voice on global media, she has made 27 appearances on BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time and was a featured guest on Desert Island Discs.
Policy & Ethics: Her influence extends into global governance, having served on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council for Values, Ethics, and Innovation, and as a speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Literature & Arts: A widely published author, her works include Plato and the Hero and her most recent release, Why Plato Matters Now (Bloomsbury 2025). She also served as a judge for the Man Booker International Prize.
The Intellectual Heart of the Symposium
At the Pluartis Symposium, Professor Hobbs will deliver two exclusive keynote addresses designed to translate ancient wisdom into modern leadership and resilience:
August 20: “Why Plato Matters Now” – An exploration of Platonic ethics and the “tripartite soul” to ground our understanding of human nature.
August 21: “Marcus Aurelius and the Inner Citadel” – A deep dive into Stoic strategies for maintaining a stable internal foundation in a volatile world.
Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Action
Set against the backdrop of Pula’s Roman heritage, these sessions offer a high-standard academic experience for professionals seeking deeper meaning in a high-tech age. Professor Hobbs’ expertise provides the essential framework for our collective pursuit of the “art of living.”
“We are honoured to have Professor Hobbs lead our debut symposium. Her ability to bridge the gap between classical thought and contemporary policy is exactly the multidisciplinary lens Pluartis aims to foster.”
— Ljupce Stojkovski, Founder & Director
Secure your place in the Arena. Register for the Pluartis Symposium 2026