The University of Manchester’s policy engagement unit, Policy@Manchester, is set to wrap up a series of events at this year’s party conferences with four key discussions at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham. The programme, which began at the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton and continued at the Labour conference in Liverpool, aims to share academic research with policymakers and politicians.
On Tuesday, 1st October, two panel debates will take place at Birmingham Library, starting at 10:30am with a session addressing the question: “Is antimicrobial resistance the next big healthcare risk?” The panel, chaired by Ryan Henson, CEO of the Coalition for Global Prosperity, will feature Lord Markham, former Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Health and Social Care, alongside experts from academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Participants include Dr Wendy Thompson from The University of Manchester, Frances Garraghan from the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association, Colette Goldrick from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, and Jessica Fraser from the Tropical Health and Education Trust. The discussion will explore the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance and its potential implications for public health.
At 1:00pm, another debate will focus on how Britain can position itself as a global clean energy superpower. Chaired by Holly Brazier Tope, Head of Politics at The Green Alliance, the panel includes Professor Alice Larkin from The University of Manchester’s Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Samuel Kurtz MS, Shadow Minister for Economy and Energy, Andrew Bowie MP, Shadow Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Jake Tudge from National Gas, and Asif Rehmanwala, CEO of Ecotricity. The discussion will cover the opportunities and challenges facing the UK as it seeks to transition to a clean energy economy.
In addition to Tuesday’s events, Policy@Manchester will co-host two discussions on Monday, 30th September, at the Hyatt Regency. The first, at 10:45am, held in partnership with the Institute for Government, will explore “What is the Conservative vision for devolution across England?” Panellists include Councillor Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding Council; Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government; and Professor Richard Jones from The University of Manchester.
At 11:00am, Policy@Manchester will join forces with the Social Market Foundation to discuss how education policy can support children’s wellbeing and mental health. Aveek Bhattacharya, Research Director at the Social Market Foundation, will chair the panel, which will include Damian Hinds MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Education; Dr Charlotte Bagnall, a lecturer in the psychology of education at The University of Manchester; and Professor Lade Smith, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Professor Cecilia Wong, Co-Director of Policy@Manchester, reflected on the unit’s involvement in this year’s party conferences, noting that it had been a particularly interesting season given the political shifts following the General Election. “Our presence at the Liberal Democrat and Labour conferences has been incredibly useful. We are excited for the events at the Conservative conference in Birmingham, which promise to be equally stimulating and productive,” she said.
More information on Policy@Manchester’s events can be found on its website.
