Citizens of Change: Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ to spark national dialogue at Labour Party Conference

A wide angle shot of the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ campus.

The Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ 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 Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ. 

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ 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 Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ’s Institute for Policy, Institute for Environmental Futures, University Hospitals of Leicester, the Centre for Hate Studies and . 

The Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's programme of events is as follows:

  • - Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Institute for Policy in partnership with Loughborough University
  • – Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Institute for Policy in partnership with the Centre for Hate Studies and Protection Approaches
  • – Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ and University Hospitals of Leicester
  • – The Post-18 Project, Universities UK and Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
  • – HEPI, National Civic Impact Accelerator and Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ

Speakers from the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ 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 Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ 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.”

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ staff speaking to visitors.

Professor Neil Chakraborti, Director of the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ’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 Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ and our partners. They also highlight the remarkable contribution that the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ 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 Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for colleagues from the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ 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 Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ, said: “The Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ 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.”