Details of forthcoming and past Environment and Society forum policy events.
Details of future events will appear here when these are announced later this year.
Past events in 2012
Policy Seminar and Reception: Navigating the ‘Perfect Storm’: the international challenge of food, water and energy security
Joint event with WWF-UK
- Thursday 9 February 2012, 4.30pm to 7.45pm
Chaired by the Government Chief Scientist, Professor Sir John Beddington, this event explored the international challenge of food, water and energy security in the run up to the United Nations Rio +20 Conference on Sustainable Development.
The interaction between food, water and energy security is one of the most pressing issues for the world, and is especially challenging for developing nations. It is a key theme for both the Society and the field of geography.
Introduction from the Chair: Professor Sir John Beddington, Government Chief Scientist
Keynote speech: Ivan Lewis MP, Shadow International Development Secretary
Presentations: Professor Bill Adams, Department of Geography (PDF), University of Cambridge and Dr Sejal Worah, Programmes Director (PDF), WWF India
Panel led discussion, including Miguel Pestana, Vice-President, Global External Affairs at Unilever; Katie Critchlow, BigGreenChange; and Chris Whaley, Head of European and International Co-Ordination Division, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Slideshow of images and audio from the event
Please note that the audio is edited from that recorded, particularly the panel discussion and questions.
Other materials
Government Media Release "A new Foresight project investigating how to improve anticipation of and resilience to disasters is being announced today by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir John Beddington" (Foresight 13.02.12)
Article on the event in the Ecologist "Population is 'our biggest challenge' says government chief scientist Sir John Beddington" (14.02.12)
Blog article from the British Ecological Society (16.02.12)
Article on the event from attendee Professor Richard Tiffin, University of Reading (Global Food Security: 20.02.12)
Joint event with the Regional Studies Association (RSA) and the Academy for Social Sciences (AcSS)
- Wednesday 1 February 2012, 4pm to 6pm
Chaired by Louise Ellman, MP for Liverpool Riverside and Chair of the Transport Select Committee this meeing examined evidence from the social sciences which can contribute to debates on the future of new High Speed Rail lines in the UK.
Speakers:
- Professor Iain Docherty FRGS, Professor of Public Policy and Governance, Glasgow University, former Non-Executive Director of Transport Scotland and past Commission for Integrated Transport's Expert Academic Panel member
- Michael Ward, Research Fellow, Smith Institute, Executive Chair of the Board of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies and co-author of High Speed Rail: Is Everyone on board? (Clark, Doyle and Ward, 2011)
- Professor Roger Vickerman ACSS, Professor of European Economics, Brussels School of International Studies, University of Kent
- Professor Henry Overman ACSS, Professor of Economic Geography and Director, Spatial Economics Research Centre, London School of Economics
Short summary briefing on the discussion (PDF) uploaded 16.03.12
Past events
These include details of the day-long 'Perfect Storm' seminar which took place in February 2011 and explored the policy issues concerning the challenge of energy, food and water security, The keynote speaker the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.
Other previous events have focused on topics including water policy, alcohol consumption, health and green spaces, sustainable tourism, and waste.
About the Environment and Society Forum
Policy relevant discussions and conferences
Many vital issues currently placed high on governmental agendas have important geographical dimensions. Geographers, with their knowledge of both social and environmental processes are well placed to contribute to solutions.
The Forum brings together business, research, non-governmental and policy-making communities within a neutral and respected setting.
The Forum's range of events reflect the needs of different audiences: conferences and seminars offer stimulating debate, knowledge sharing and networking opportunities among the wider professional community.
Dinner discussions provide focussed, high level debate for decision-makers, and a mechanism to inform those tasked with policy formulation and implementation.