11 Jun
2024

Past event

Conference – Our insecure society: risks across the life course 

By Nuffield Foundation

This conference marked the culmination of Changing lives for the better: priorities for the next 20 years, a series of events and activities exploring the most pressing issues facing UK society, that will define our work in the long term.

Background 

Since 1943, the Nuffield Foundation has funded research to better understand the inequalities and vulnerabilities faced by individuals, families and communities.  

However, as we scan the horizon, it may be that the wider insecurities affecting our whole society will assume centre stage. 

For this conference, we invited partners from research, policy and practice to consider: 

  • What risks will we face at key stages of the life course, including the transition from adolescence to adulthood and the changing face of work and family life?
  • How will demographic change, migration, economic trends and emerging technologies affect these risks? 
  • In the context of major social change, how do we find opportunities to create a more just and inclusive society? 

The conference was held at BMA House, London.

Programme


09.30 – 09.45 | Welcome and purpose

Tim Gardam will outline the Foundation’s work in the last five years and how its purpose will adapt to future challenges.

09.45 – 10.15 | Keynote lecture

Keynote lecture by Sir Andrew Dilnot, Warden of Nuffield College, Chair of the 2011 Commission on the Funding of Care and Support and former Chair of the UK Statistics Authority.

10.15 – 11.00 | Responses and audience discussion

Responses from Anna Vignoles – Director, Leverhulme Trust and Ravi Gurumurthy – Chief Executive Officer, Nesta

11.15 – 12.45 | Grown up? Transitions to adulthood

Our panel will discuss the wider social, technological and cultural forces affecting the well-being of contemporary adolescents and how well our institutions are supporting a successful transition to adulthood and the world of work.

  • Chair: Carey Oppenheim – Cross Cutting Project Lead, Nuffield Foundation
  • Professor Robin Banerjee – Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global and Civic Engagement, University of Sussex
  • Kadra Abdinasir – Associate Director for Policy, Centre for Mental Health
  • Oli de Botton – Chief Executive Officer, Careers & Enterprise Company
  • Dr Emily Tanner – Programme Head, Post-14 Education and Skills, Nuffield Foundation

13.45 – 15.15 | Families, work and care

This session will examine demographic change and the implications for working-age adults, family life, caring responsibilities and the changing nature of work.

  • Chair: Professor Ann Phoenix – Professor of Psychosocial Studies, University College London, Nuffield Foundation Trustee
  • Professor Jane Falkingham – Director ESRC Centre for Population Change, University of Southampton
  • Professor Oriana Bandiera – Sir Anthony Atkinson Chair in Economics, London School of Economics
  • Deborah Cadman – Joseph Rowntree Foundation Trustee, formerly Chief Executive, Birmingham City Council
  • Professor Brian Bell – Professor of Economics, King’s College London, Nuffield Foundation Trustee

15.35 – 16.50 | The future safety net: the need for effective public institutions 

Our final panel will consider whether our social institutions are still able to offer a safety net of security for individuals, families and communities.

  • Chair: John Pullinger – Chair of the Electoral Commission, Nuffield Foundation Trustee
  • Dame Clare Moriarty – Chief Executive, Citizens Advice
  • Professor Diane Coyle – Director of the Bennett Institute, University of Cambridge
  • Professor Imran Rasul – Research Director, Institute for Fiscal Studies

16.50 – 17.00 | Closing remarks

Nuffield Foundation Chair, Professor Sir Keith Burnett will wrap up the conference.

17.00 – 18.30 | Drinks reception 

Speakers


  • Associate Director for Policy
    Centre for Mental Health
  • Professor of Economics
    London School of Economics
  • Professor of Developmental Psychology
    University of Sussex
  • Professor of Economics
    King’s College London
  • Chair
    Nuffield Foundation
  • Trustee
    Joseph Rowntree Foundation
  • Bennett Professor of Public Policy
    University of Cambridge
  • Chief Executive Officer
    The Careers and Enterprise Company
  • Warden
    Nuffield College, Oxford
  • Director ESRC Centre for Population Change
    University of Southampton
  • Chief Executive Officer
    Nuffield Foundation
  • Chief Executive
    Nesta
  • Chief Executive
    Citizens Advice
  • Cross Cutting Project Lead
    Nuffield Foundation
  • Professor of Psychosocial Studies
    Institute of Education, University College London
  • Chair
    Electoral Commission
  • Research Director
    Institute for Fiscal Studies
  • Emily Tanner
    Programme Head for Post-14 Education and Skills
    Nuffield Foundation
  • Director
    Leverhulme Trust
  • Location
  • BMA House
  • Tavistock Square
  • England
  • WC1H 9JP
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