EVENTS
Foundation Future Leaders Conference 2021
- November 22 9:30 AM - 23, 2021 1:00 PM
- Online
The Foundation Future Leader's Conference is designed for early-to mid career professionals from the civil and parliamentary service and the wide public sector and PSREs; from universities, national facilities or similar (including from Catapult Centres, Research Council Institutes or Research Charities); and from industry (including from independent not-for-profit Research & Technology Organisations).
Over two days, there were 4 x 90 minute sessions with presentations from senior experts, and Q&A panel discussions with those experts and members of the 2021 Foundation Future Leaders Programme.
The Progamme for Day 1 (22nd November) was:
09:30 - 11:00 Session 1: The State of the State - Creating new frameworks to deliver change
The challenges faced by the UK going forward include tackling climate change and reaching Net Zero, rebuilding after Covid-19 and reducing inequality. Can we achieve these within current structures? Are capitalism, GDP growth and the system of international trade fit for purpose to deliver these? How does Government need to change to deal with these 21st Century challenges - and can Parliament really hold them to account?
11:30 - 13:00 Session 2: Is Net Zero by 2050 (or earlier) realisable?
The Global Climate Change conference, COP26, takes place in the first half of November, and the UK has committed to reaching Net Zero emissions of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Is this goal realisable? And what would it take to make it happen?
The Programme for Day 2 (23rd November) was:
09:30 - 11:00 Session 3: An inclusive and diverse workforce with the right skills
Success in the challenges of the 21st century mean that we need talented people working in research and development. But are some people excluded from taking up or succeeding in careers in science and technology – either through educational disadvantage or through the jobs themselves? What more can be done to make careers in science and technology more equal, diverse and inclusive? And as technology is changing rapidly, how can we ensure that the UK continues to have the right skills in the workforce?
11:30 - 13:00 Session 4: Innovating for change and a sustainable future
How can innovation drive some of the changes we need? How can business drive new innovations? What is the role of government and its agencies in supporting this (through funding, regulation, public procurement, and new structures)?
This conference is designed by the Foundation Future Leaders 2021. If you are an early- to mid-career professional and interested in the Foundation Future Leaders scheme, applications are now open for the the Foundation Future Leaders scheme 2022.