Five highlights from Manchester Policy Week in November

The full programme for Policy Week 2015 has been unveiled, having as its theme Science, Technology and Public Policy. Over five days, debates, demonstrations, lectures, films and more will be addressing issues such as fracking, oil production, pollution and much more.

It forms part of the European City of Science 2016 programme, which kicks off proper with the Science Festival – with Policy Week following directly afterwards. 

Here are five highlights.

Climate Change Negotiations Simulation, Manchester Art Galley, Monday 2 November at 4pm-6pm, free
As world leaders prepare to gather in Paris, the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research will host a mock UN climate negotiation in Manchester. This event is an opportunity for you to discuss the issues at stake for each country, and learn about trends in climate, energy and greenhouse gas emissions. The World Climate Exercise was developed by Climate Interactive and MIT. Thousands of people have participated in these events around the world, from primary school classes to major business CEOs. It is regularly used in our teaching at The University of Manchester. Underlying your negotiations, of where and when emissions will be cut, is a robust climate model so delegates will have real time results on the likely consequences. This event is run in conjunction with: Manchester: A Certain Future

'The Age Of Stupid', Manchester Museum, Monday 2 November at 3.15pm, free
The Age of Stupid stars Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite as a man living in a devastated future world of 2055, looking back in time and asking why we didn’t stop climate change when we had the chance. The film led to the formation of the 10:10 carbon reduction campaign which now operates in 45 countries (www.1010global.org). Its premiere in London famously saw guest and then Energy Secretary Ed Miliband grilled live on stage by a raging Postlethwaite, who threatened to never vote Labour again unless the Government changed its policy on coal-fired power stations. A month later, it did exactly that.

Powering the Northern Powerhouse, Manchester Museum, Tuesday 3 November at 1.15pm – Free
The Government wants to create a Northern Powerhouse to better balance the UK economy. Proposals call for investment in transport, science and innovation, plus devolution of civic powers. This event asks the question: what if energy policy was also devolved - how would we develop a strategy that could power the Northern Powerhouse? A range of proposals made by a University think-tank, involving both academics and students, will be revealed at Policy Week then debated live by our powerhouse panel of experts, drawn from the worlds of politics and economics, policy and strategy, science and energy-related research. From this analysis delegates will vote for their preferred option. Featuring Vicky Pryce, former Director General for Economics at the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and was Joint Head of the UK Government Economics Service.

The BBC’s Victoria Gill In Conversation with Prof David Nutt, The Portico Library, Wednesday 4 Nov at 6.30pm, £4.50 (limited numbers)
Professor David Nutt was chief drug adviser to Gordon Brown’s Labour government – until he was publicly sacked in 2009 for saying horse riding was more dangerous than taking ecstasy - and is still an outspoken and controversial figure in the scientific world. He has repeatedly clashed with politicians over what he sees as their use and misuse of scientific evidence in policymaking. At this special event, Prof Nutt will discuss with BBC News science reporter Victoria Gill the realities and unique challenges involved in advising government and ‘speaking truth unto power’.

'The Man In The White Suit', Manchester Museum, Friday 6 November at 3.15pm, free
The Man in the White Suit stars Sir Alec Guinness as brilliant research chemist, Sidney Stratton. He is determined to create an ever-lasting fibre that repels dirt and he eventually succeeds in creating a dirt resistant white suit. However, his invention troubles the establishment, big business and the public as they realise it’s bad for the industry. Stratton goes on the run to outwit his detractors and defend his invention. The alliance of capital and labour against the threat posed by him is played out to devastating satirical effect. The Man in the White Suit is a sharp and entertaining satire, whose narrative constantly returns to technology, its products, and the wider societal reaction to new discoveries.

Book for events at Manchester Policy Week on their website

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