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Securing tomorrow: Shaping future governance for people and planet

Learn more about our current public event series on revitalising and renewing democracy and governance.

About the series


2024 was the 'year of elections', with voters across the world going to the polls. But how can we make sure we’re planning for the long term, looking beyond election cycles to address the national and global challenges we face? How do we strengthen the health of our democracies, foster democratic participation, tackle the climate and nature crisis and ensure that we consider the interests of future generations?

Join us as we welcome leading experts to debate the ways in which we can revitalise and renew democracy and governance, and to discuss ideas on how to build positive futures for people and the planet.

A person giving a lecture to an audience.

Events in the series

Learn more about events in the series. All events are free to attend.


Revitalising Britain: What's working and what's next?

Thursday 24 April 2025, 18:00-19:30, University of Bath campus (Chancellors' Building, Room 1.12)

Will Hutton and Polly Toynbee review the reforms and strategies of the new government and discuss how it has been addressing the pressing economic, social and political challenges we face. They’ll look at the government’s five key missions – economic growth, clean energy, safer streets, opportunities for all and an NHS fit for the future – and the actions taken on these so far. Where do we need to see new policy development to deliver lasting economic and social change? Chaired by Dr Sophie Whiting.

Book a ticket for 'Revitalising Britain: What's working and what's next?'

Securing our food supply: Building resilience in the UK

Wednesday 21 May 2025, 18:00-19:00, online (Zoom)

Increased international volatility, climate change and biodiversity loss all pose risks to the UK’s food security. Is the UK prepared to deal with these threats? Join our panellists to discuss what a good food system looks like, as well as the policies needed to ensure that our food system is fairer, more sustainable and more resilient. With Prof Tim Lang and Prof Sarah Bridle.

Book a ticket for 'Securing our food supply'

Prof Phil Scraton: Bearing witness to the 'pain of others': Fractured lives, dissenting voices, recovering 'truth'

Thursday 19 June 2025, 17:00-18:00, University of Bath campus (Chancellors' Building, Room 5.12)

Join Professor Phil Scraton, Professor Emeritus at Queen's University Belfast, for a talk on the responsibility of researchers and human rights advocates to represent the ‘view from below’ – the voices of those silenced by powerful institutions in securing truth, justice and acknowledgement. Drawing on his decades of research with and within communities – investigating the Hillsborough disaster, the inhumanities of incarceration, and the disappearances of babies from mother and baby institutions – he addresses the political, ethical and personal challenges of bearing witness to the 'pain of others'.

Feel free to arrive early to the event to visit the State of Disappearance exhibition, situated on the 5th floor of the Chancellors' Building and in CB 5.12. With artworks by renowned Mexican abstract painter Chantal Meza, the exhibition explores the concept of disappearance in its many forms – physical, cultural, ecological, and ideological.

Book a ticket for Prof Scraton's talk


Previous events

Find out about previous events in the series.


An architecture of hope: Reimagining prison design

November 2024

Yvonne Jewkes, Professor of Criminology at the University of Bath, explores how we might change prisons to create spaces that encourage reflection and healing for those incarcerated.

The US presidential election: Where do we go from here?

November 2024

Lauren Fedor, the FT's US political correspondent, reflects on the outcome of the US presidential election: what does it mean for the US and what can we expect to see happen?

ActNowFilm: Youth Climate Leaders as Agents of Change: Bath premiere

November 2024

ActNowFilm: Youth Climate Leaders as Agents of Change showcases people worldwide who are taking action on the climate crisis and calls for meaningful youth inclusion in global climate negotiations.

The future as a political idea

February 2025

Jonathan White, Professor of Politics at LSE, explores how politics has long been directed by shifting visions of the future.

How we sold our future: The failure to fight climate change

February 2025

Jens Beckert, Director at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies, delves into the connections between capitalist structures and our failure to address the climate crisis.

Addressing England's water quality: What can be done?

March 2025

Our panellists discuss the water quality problems in England and the solutions and policies needed to restore waterways to health. With Mark Lloyd (The Rivers Trust) and Helen Wakeham (Environment Agency). Chaired by Dame Fiona Reynolds.

How to think about politics

March 2025

This event marked the release of Professor Peter Allen’s new book, How to think about politics. Combining contemporary political science research with real-life examples, he focuses on five ideas that will help us to consider political events in a new way. Exploring power, representation, knowledge, interests and possibility, he offers tools for thinking about politics that will us interrogate our own political choices. Chaired by Aditya Chakrabortty, senior economics commentator at the Guardian.


Venue and access information

Find out how to join us at the events.


Some events in this series will be held online and some will be held in person.

Specific venue and access information for each event can be found on the booking pages. If you have any questions, please contact us.

For events held at the University's Claverton Down campus:

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Contact us

If you have any questions about the series, please get in touch.