The Mappa Mundi project: changing the world by changing how we view it - Sandi Toksvig

Inspired by a map of the world made in 1300 by German nuns, Sandi Toksvig is looking to reassess how we chart what we know.

Throughout civilisation, despite always having represented half of the population, women only appear in 0.5% of recorded history. The continued every day use of 16th century world maps is not helping.

It's time for a change. 

About the speaker

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sandi Toksvig was brought up around the world. She began her comedy career whilst at Girton College, Cambridge. She is currently a bye-fellow at Christ's College, Cambridge where she is working on a female friendly version of Wikipedia.

Sandi is well known to UK audiences as a broadcaster having begun her career in children’s television. Sandi is currently filming her tenth year as host of QI, BBC2’s fiendishly difficult and hugely popular quiz. Amongst other things she travelled around the UK’s most captivating and unusual holiday hideaways in Extraordinary Escapes with Sandi Toksvig which aired its third series in 2023. In 2025 her series on restoring ancient woodland aired.

For a decade Sandi was a familiar voice for BBC Radio 4 listeners as the chair of The News Quiz which led to her induction into the Radio Hall of Fame.

Much of Sandi’s time is devoted to writing. She has been the president of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain since 2019. She has penned many stage plays including her adaptation of Mamma Mia! The Party currently in its fifth year at London’s 02. Her work includes more than 20 fiction and non-fiction books for children and adults. Her latest novel for adults Friends of Dorothy was a Sunday Times best-seller, published by Virago in September 2024.

Sandi is an activist for gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. She received an OBE in 2014 and in 2015 she co-founded Britain’s newest political party, the Women’s Equality Party.

Booking information

Monday night lectures are open to Fellows and Members and are included in the cost of membership.

Attending in-person

• All Fellows and Members wanting to attend in person must pre-book a free ticket. You will receive an e-ticket with a QR code that will be scanned on arrival. Your ticket can be shown on a mobile phone or printed. If you do not have a smartphone, we can find your name on the door list instead.
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Watch online

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About Monday night lectures

Our Monday night lectures are exclusive to Fellows and Members and are included in the cost of membership. Members can book to attend the lectures in-person at the Society, or enjoy them live from the comfort of your own home.

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