Debate Hub

Michael Hepburn

This podcast discusses all things related to schools debating: setting up debate clubs, coaching, competitions, formats and more. Hosted by Michael Hepburn, a former competitive debater with 15 years coaching experience who is currently director of Debate Hub. 

  1. 27 FEB

    SEND & Oracy

    To celebrate the release of the oracy white paper, Kate & Michael discuss how Debate Hub's way of doing oracy endeavors to be inclusive for SEND students.

    26 min

  2. 5 FEB

    We ran a mooting competition!

    In this episode Kate & Michael discuss two recent Debate Hub events: a large Oxford Union style show debate and our inaugural mooting competition. We discuss what worked, what we would change and how partner schools can replicate these events if they are interested in doing so.  You can find details of our upcoming competitions at https://debatehub.co.uk/all-events/

    50 min

  3. 16 JAN

    AI in Debating, Oracy and Education.

    To celebrate our upcoming AI in Education show debate (link below) Kate and Michael sit down for a bumper episode to discuss AI in debating, speech writing and education more generally. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1976881650232?aff=oddtdtcreator

    1h 10m

  4. 22/12/2025

    2025 Wrapped

    In this episode, Kate and Michael reflect the last year in debating and look at some things we hope improve, some things we appreciate and our favourite motion set of 2025.

    56 min

  5. 12/12/2025

    Voice 21 drop by

    In this pod, Michael sits down with Amanda Moorghan,  Director of Learning, Impact and Influence at Voice 21. Former colleagues who debated against each other many many years ago, Amanda and Michael discuss oracy research, the important of turn times, and whether debating deserves it's importance in the wider oracy conversation.  Discussed in pod: https://oracycambridge.org/group-work-never-say-goodbye/ https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/dialogic-teaching

    28 min

  6. 13/10/2025

    Do we hate Model United Nations?

    In this episode Kate & Michael discuss MUN and the perceived hatred between debating and MUN.  If you want to take part in our competitions details can be found here: All Events - Debatehub

    27 min

  7. 29/09/2025

    Are we scared of giving students a voice?

    Schools often talk about empowering student voice, but do we really want to hear what they have to say? Kate and Michael discuss.

    24 min

  8. 15/09/2025

    Sixth formers discuss running their Year 5 debate clubs

    Every year, several of our sixth formers run clubs and teach lessons in local state primaries. In this episode Michael talks with two of his students who were teaching debating last year, what they learned, what they loved and what were the challenges.

    30 min
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About

This podcast discusses all things related to schools debating: setting up debate clubs, coaching, competitions, formats and more. Hosted by Michael Hepburn, a former competitive debater with 15 years coaching experience who is currently director of Debate Hub. 

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Hepburn
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Debate Hub
  • Show Website
    Debate Hub