Policy@Manchester Articles

Policy Week: How Much Evidence is ‘Enough’ Prior to Policy Implementation?

By Laura ffrench-Constant Filed Under: All posts, Featured, Whitehall Watch Posted: November 6, 2015

The New Researcher Network hosted a breakfast session during Policy Week to investigate how much evidence is ‘enough’ prior to policy implementation and how to strike the balance between ‘ideal evidence’ and pragmatic decision making. The event was chaired by Dr Kieron Flanagan, whilst Dr Julian Simpson of the University of Manchester and Dr Kathryn […]

Policy Week: Notes on a drugs scandal

By Samuel Wood Filed Under: All posts Posted: November 5, 2015

Professor David Nutt, who was sacked as a Government drugs policy advisor in 2009 gave a very frank interview about his experiences to Victoria Gill, as part of Policy Week 2015. Here Sam Wood reports on the conversation. Prof Nutt says he went into his Government role optimistic that he would be able to change […]

Policy Week: Can Researchers Speak Truth Unto Power?

By Laura ffrench-Constant Filed Under: All posts Posted: November 4, 2015

This packed policy week event convened a lively discussion about how best to engage in dialogue with policymakers when communicating research around contentious policy areas. The panel was chaired by Professor Francesca Gains, and included Martin Stanley the author of ‘How To Be a Civil Servant’, Dr Patrick Diamond of Queen Mary’s University London and […]

Policy Week 2015: Unmissable sessions

By HumWebTeam Filed Under: All posts Posted: November 3, 2015

In 2015, Policy Week focuses on the theme of science and technology. Below, you can find some of our highlights from the week-long programme. .@lukegeorghiou, Vice President for Research and Innovation, on why you should attend @UoMPolicy‘s #PolicyWeek. pic.twitter.com/pjGp4WLA8Z — Uni of Manchester (@OfficialUoM) November 2, 2015 Professor Luke Georghiou, Vice President for Research and […]

Policy Week: Powering the Northern Powerhouse

By Jim Pendrill Filed Under: Devo, Featured, Science and Technology Posted: November 3, 2015

Could the Northern Powerhouse be powered by itself? And if so, what would be the best energy mix to sustain its economy? These were the questions posed at a debate on the UK energy industry during Policy Week, where PhD students from The University presented four different proposals as to how the North West could […]

Huge changes in education on way, says Willetts

By Jim Pendrill Filed Under: Featured Posted: November 3, 2015

The next generation will see greater changes in education than we have seen over the previous 500 years, says Lord David Willetts, the former Minister for Universities and Science. Jim Pendrill reports. Delivering the keynote address at the start of Policy Week on how emerging technology will impact education, Willetts began by questioning whether the […]

Policy Week: The pros and cons of fracking

By Samuel Wood Filed Under: All posts, Science and Technology Posted: November 2, 2015

A lively debate on the pros and cons of hydraulic fracturing -fracking- got Policy Week off to a great start. Sam Wood reports on the discussion. Fracking causes a wide range of emotions in people, something that was really brought out at the beginning of the session, when the audience were asked to complete a […]

Why synthetic biology has the potential to reshape our lives

By Philip Shapira Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted: October 28, 2015

We need to prepare for a world where synthetic biology will reshape our lives, economies and environment. But this rapidly emerging technology needs to be responsibly developed, says Professor Philip Shapira, ahead of an exciting event in Manchester next week. Synthetic biology involves combining scientific and engineering methods to redesign biological components and systems found […]

Government vs House of Lords: George Osborne taxes his own credit

By Colin Talbot Filed Under: All posts, Westminster Watch, Whitehall Watch Posted: October 27, 2015

The Government has only itself to blame for its House of Lords defeat over Tax Credits, which it could easily have avoided says Colin Talbot. Normally, major financial changes introduced in a Budget are put through the normal House of Commons mechanisms for ‘supply’ (spending) and finance (tax). As these measures were about tax (credits) […]

Net migration target remains nebulous

By Laurence Brown Filed Under: Ethnicity, Europe, Featured Posted: October 27, 2015

Given that it is the central focus of UK immigration policy, it is striking that the actual number of the net migration target and its statistical justification has remained so nebulous, says Dr Laurence Brown. “Net migration” was a key term that dominated Home Secretary Theresa May’s recent speech at the Conservative party conference. In […]