Senior figures from local and national government, non-governmental organisations, and business met with leading academics from the University last month to discuss a new publication which advances a series of solutions to bolster the UK’s national resilience.

Produced by the University’s policy engagement unit, Policy@Manchester, On Resilience presents academic thinking on an assortment of subjects including the pressing need for domestic low-carbon renewable energy sources, how AI can mitigate risks to food production, tackling water shortages, the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, resilience in the national grid and sourcing critical mineral requirements.

Opening the event, Matthew Paterson, Professor of International Politics and Director of the Sustainable Consumption Institute (SCI), told the gathering that On Resilience focuses on two key policy challenges associated with sustainability: energy transitions to address climate change, and food systems.

He said: “The University of Manchester has very wide expertise on both these challenges, integrating natural science and social science expertise to provide additional insight.

“On energy, our expertise ranges from specific technologies – including nuclear, hydrogen, renewables and electricity grid systems – to broad social dynamics of transforming energy systems such as geopolitics, political economy, consumption practices, socio-technical systems and community action.”

Following opening remarks from Professor Matthew Paterson, attendees were invited to take part in a networking lunch. Contributors from our publication shared their insights with policy influencers from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and colleagues from Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

• On Resilience is available to read on the Policy@Manchester website.