Citizens of Change: University of Leicester to spark national dialogue at Labour Party Conference
The University of Leicester will hold a series of events at this year's Labour Party Conference to shape the future of higher education, healthcare, responses to hate crime, climate change and more.
Five events will take place on Monday, 29 September - the second day of activities at this year's Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.
Each event will include industry experts, government officials and academic insight from the University of Leicester.
University of Leicester speakers, led by President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Nishan Canagarajah, will share their insights, expertise and real-world examples of how to affect change in each of the Labour government’s five missions for the current parliament.
Leading the debate will be experts from the University of Leicester’s Institute for Policy, Institute for Environmental Futures, University Hospitals of Leicester, the Centre for Hate Studies and Space Park Leicester.
The University of Leicester's programme of events is as follows:
- How can renewable energy be a key driver in economic growth? - University of Leicester Institute for Policy in partnership with Loughborough University
- A Manifesto for Change: Transforming Responses to Victims of Hate Crime – University of Leicester Institute for Policy in partnership with the Centre for Hate Studies and Protection Approaches
- The Future of Healthcare: The crucial role of universities in building an NHS that is fit for tomorrow – Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester
- The Return of the Expert: The Role of Universities in Driving Labour’s Mission for Economic Growth – The Post-18 Project, Universities UK and University of Leicester
- What can universities do for you? How ‘civic universities’ are supporting their communities – HEPI, National Civic Impact Accelerator and University of Leicester
Speakers from the University of Leicester will include President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nishan Canagarajah; Professor Thompson Robinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Head of College and Dean of Medicine; Will Wells, CEO of Space Park Leicester; Professor Heiko Balzter, Director of the Institute for Environmental Futures and Professor Neil Chakraborti, Director of the Institute for Policy and Co-Director of the Centre for Hate Studies.
Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester said: “UK universities are the engines driving our economy, creating jobs, improving our health and public services, tackling climate change, and powering social mobility and inclusion. Leicester is in the vanguard of these priorities and our voice will inform debate, discussion and policy in these crucial areas.”
Professor Neil Chakraborti, Director of the University of Leicester’s Institute for Policy and Co-Director of the Centre for Hate Studies, said: “These five panel sessions provide us with an exciting opportunity to shape debates on urgent government priorities by drawing from world leading expertise at the University of Leicester and our partners. They also highlight the remarkable contribution that the University of Leicester continues to make towards all five of the Government’s key missions, and to evidence-based policymaking more generally.”
Professor Thompson Robinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Head of College and Dean of Medicine at the University of Leicester, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for colleagues from the University of Leicester and the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust to demonstrate the importance and value of collaboration between the NHS and HEI sectors in driving improvements in health outcomes in an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse population through an integrated approach to research and education and training in both hospital and the community, through the effective use of data and digital infrastructure, and through improved prevention and chronic multimorbid disease management.”
Will Wells, CEO of Space Park Leicester, said: “Low carbon energy is not only essential for tackling the climate crisis — it is one of the most powerful drivers of economic growth. At Space Park Leicester, we see first-hand how innovation in clean technologies, from satellite-enabled energy monitoring to small modular reactors is creating new industries, high-value jobs, and global opportunities. By harnessing our region’s research strengths and working in partnership with business, we can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy while securing prosperity for the UK.”
Professor Heiko Balzter, Director of the Institute for Environmental Futures at the University of Leicester, said: “The University of Leicester is instrumental in achieving the government’s mission to Make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower. Our research in Engineering, Chemistry, Geography, Geology and Environment, and other disciplines informs policymakers and practitioners on innovative net zero emissions land use practices, technologies and policy options. As a co-leader of the Land Use for Net Zero, Nature and People (LUNZ) Hub, I am working closely with DEFRA, DESNZ and the devolved administrations on climate action policies relating to agriculture and other land use systems.”