• Date: Thursday, 3 December 2020 18:00-19:00
  • Location: Zoom
  • Speakers: Professor Jonathan Grant

The politicisation of scientific advice compounded with the need for rapid innovation created by the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened tensions surrounding the way we do and fund science and offer science-based advice.

This interactive session with Professor Jonathan Grant will explore these issues and look to draw out some lessons for a future post-COVID-19 period.

  • Date: Wednesday, 2 December 2020 18:00-20:00
  • Location: Zoom
  • Speakers: Dr Van Woensel

A Workshop by Lieve Van Woensel, Head of Scientific Foresight Service European Parliament. The ideal policy is evidence-informed but all humans are subjected to biases by nature, which influences this policymaking process. What can we do to navigate and avoid these pitfalls relating to scientific evidence?

  • Date: Monday-Wednesday, 23-25 November 2020 16:30-19:00
  • Location: Zoom

Day 1: Join us on day one of CUSPE’s forum on ‘Science policy for a sustainable future’ to discuss the environmental and technological challenges our democratic systems will be facing in the coming decade.

Along with expert talks by the Director of research at the Environment Agency and the Director of Cambridge Zero, this day will also see our Horizon 2030 session, which is based on ‘Horizon Scanning’ exercises in the futures toolkit of the Government Office for Science. In this session, students and early-career researchers will predict the outcome of a key trend in their field, a decade into the future. (find out how to participate in this session under http://bit.ly/CuspeHoriz2030)

4.30 – 4.40 pm Welcome

4.40 – 5.10 pm Keynote 1: Doug Wilson – Director of Research at Environment Agency

5.10 – 5.40 pm Keynote 2: Emily Shuckburgh – Director of Cambridge Zero

5.40 – 6.00 pm Joint Q&A/Discussion

6.00 – 6.10 pm Introduction to Horizon Scanning

6.10 – 7.00 pm Student Horizon talks (10×5 min)

Day 2: Join us on day two of the Forum to discuss how individuals can encourage positive and lasting change around environmental policy and sustainability. Together with speakers from different institutions we will explore various perspectives on the roles and responsibilities that different institutions (government, citizens, corporations, etc) have to play to bring about systemic change, and how (and whether) individuals can make a difference.

4.30 – 4.40 pm Welcome & Introduction to day 2

4.40 – 5.30 pm Introduction of the Panellists:

– Emily Bolton – Climate Change Officer at Cambridgeshire County Council

– Philip Verpoort – Co-Director of Sortition Foundation

– Eugenie Dugoua – Environmental Economist at LSE

5.30 – 6.30 pm Panel Discussion on “How can individuals encourage positive and lasting change around environmental policy and sustainability?”

Day 3: Join us on day two of the Forum to discuss how individuals can encourage positive and lasting change around environmental policy and sustainability. Together with speakers from different institutions we will explore various perspectives on the roles and responsibilities that different institutions (government, citizens, corporations, etc) have to play to bring about systemic change, and how (and whether) individuals can make a difference.

4.30 – 4.40 pm Welcome & Introduction to day 2

4.40 – 5.30 pm Introduction of the Panellists:

– Emily Bolton – Climate Change Officer at Cambridgeshire County Council

– Philip Verpoort – Co-Director of Sortition Foundation

– Eugenie Dugoua – Environmental Economist at LSE

5.30 – 6.30 pm Panel Discussion on “How can individuals encourage positive and lasting change around environmental policy and sustainability?”

  • Date: Tuesday, 17 November 2020 18:00-19:00
  • Location: Zoom
  • Speaker: Danny Dorling and Andrew Stirling

With an increasing emphasis on evidence-based policy, scientists play a growing role in government-driven progress in the UK. At the same time, social inequality and poverty are rising. In this event, Professors Danny Dorling and Andrew Stirling will discuss how scientists can help make sure that progress is equal and just.

  • Date: Wednesday, 11 November 2020 18:00-20:00
  • Location: Zoom
  • Speakers: Dr Sonali Shukla (Cambridge Careers Service), Jessica Espey (Director of TReNDS and UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network Senior Advisor), Dr Jonathan Wentworth (Energy and Environment Adviser with POST), Dr Robin Waples (Senior Scientist at NOAA Fisheries)

Not sure where you’re headed next? Keen to find out what’s out there? If this sounds like you, do come along to this event! You’ll have a chance to quiz our experts and hear from like-minded students.