Thoughtful wins national philosophy award

We’re delighted to share that Thoughtful has been awarded the inaugural Service to UK Philosophy (Non-Academic) prize from the British Philosophical Association.

This new award recognises organisations that have made a significant contribution to philosophical life in the UK beyond universities – and we’re honoured to be its very first recipient.

A collective effort, built over time

This recognition reflects more than three decades of work by teachers, trainers, partners, and communities who have helped make philosophical enquiry a meaningful part of everyday learning.

Since our beginnings in 1992 (as SAPERE), we’ve worked to support philosophy as a lived, shared practice, not something confined to lecture halls, but something that happens in classrooms, staffrooms, youth groups, and communities across the country.

Over that time tens of thousands of educators have trained with us, over a million learners have experienced philosophical enquiry and we have grown a national network of schools around sustained, dialogic practice.

But numbers only tell part of the story. At its heart, this work is about creating spaces where people can think carefully, listen generously, and engage with difference.

Why this matters now

In supporting our nomination, Dr Joshua Forstenzer from Sheffield University described Thoughtful’s work as: “one of the most substantial and sustained contributions to philosophical life in the United Kingdom in recent decades.”

That contribution is not just educational, it’s civic as Josh argues:

“At a time when public discourse remains marked by misinformation, polarisation, and declining trust in expertise, Thoughtful’s work demonstrates the paramount civic importance of philosophy as a lived community of practice involved in intelligent conversation. By enabling hundreds of thousands of learners, educators, and community members to engage in critical, collaborative, caring and reflective thinking, it has made a profound and enduring contribution to philosophical culture in the United Kingdom. And may it long continue to do so!”

Philosophy for all, not just for some

A key part of our work has always been widening participation.

We work with schools and communities serving disadvantaged learners, and in settings where philosophy is rarely encountered -pupil referral units, custodial environments, and community contexts.

The evidence is clear: when young people engage in philosophical enquiry, they develop confidence, reasoning, communication, and social understanding. These benefits are particularly powerful for those who are too often excluded from traditional academic pathways.

Philosophy, done well, is not elitist, it is inclusive, practical, and transformative.

Building a national community of practice

One of the things this award recognises is the way the field itself has evolved.

In recent years, we’ve worked closely with partners across the UK to move beyond fragmentation and competition towards a more connected, collaborative ecosystem for philosophy in education and public life.

This includes partnerships with universities and cultural organisations, national advocacy work (including contributions to policy discussions and parliamentary engagement) and the development of professional communities of practice

Together, this work is helping to ensure that philosophy is not a niche activity, but a shared cultural resource.

A moment to say thank you

This award belongs to the whole Thoughtful community: our trainers, partner organisations, researchers, and above all, the educators and learners who bring philosophical enquiry to life every day.

It also reflects the vision and leadership that has shaped this work over time, including the many people who have contributed to building Thoughtful into what it is today.

Looking ahead

Being the first recipient of this prize is a privilege.

There is still much to do to ensure that all young people have access to high-quality philosophical dialogue, and that these practices are recognised as central to education and civic life.

We remain committed to that work.

Because #philosophymatters – not just as a subject, but as a way of engaging with the world, and with each other.