The Edinburgh Fringe is not just about comedy gigs. It is also about comedy chat and discussions about the nature and essence of humour. Starting today (Wednesday, August 13) the Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR) and Big Difference Productions will be present Beyond a Joke?: Comedy, Culture and the Public, five talks about the big issues in contemporary comedy, such as the nature of ‘dark comedy’ and free speech, presented by leading academics and writers. Here is the full line-up. Click here for ticket details.

Wednesday 13th August: 11.10am – 12.10pm

Laughing about Free Speech: How Humour Helps Free Speech Thrive in Public Spaces

John Roberts (Brunel University London)

Thursday 14th August: 11.10am – 12.10pm

‘Working’ For Your Laughter: The Rise of the British Comedy Snob

Sam Friedman (City University London)

Friday 15th August: 11.10am – 12.10pm

Finding the Funny in Disability: Comedy and Disability on the British Comedy Circuit

Sharon Lockyer (Brunel University London) and Geoff Rowe BEM (Big Difference Company)

Saturday 16th August: 11.10am – 12.10pm

Kicking Against the Pricks: The Satirical Wisdom of Tory Anarchism

Peter Wilkin (Brunel University London)

Sunday 17th August 11.10am – 12.10pm

From Royston Vasey to Number 9: The Dark Comedy of Pemberton and Shearsmith?

Leon Hunt (Brunel University London)