Science, policy and preparedness: Government and society in unstable times
Seminar
Professor Phoebe Barnard, University of Washington
Event date
Tuesday 6 October 2026, 12pm to 1pm
Location
In-person and online
Room ARC/014, the Alan Maynard Auditorium, Alcuin Research Resource Centre, Campus West, University of York (Map)
Room ARC/014, the Alan Maynard Auditorium, Alcuin Research Resource Centre, Campus West, University of York (Map)
Audience
Open to alumni, staff, students, the public
Admission
Free admission, booking required
Event details
Join YESI and the Department for Environment and Geography for a co-hosted seminar with Prof Phoebe Barnard.
We're at a crossroads of humanity and civilisation - but which way to turn? How do we enact dramatic systems change while keeping our hands steady on the tiller of our societies? What are the roles and limitations of science, and what proactive steps can we in civil society and academia take to lead a civilisational shift? How can we best support and collaborate with governments to govern wisely in unpredictable and often risky times?
Ecosystems and biodiversity scientist, policy and governance strategist Prof Phoebe Barnard brings insights from three decades of senior work in global organisations, national governments, and nonprofit institutes to the conversations that we should be holding globally now about our present and future.
She encourages questions that we should be asking - about what kinds of societies we want from now on, how we might get there from here, and how we can proactively shift a self-interested global civilisation and economy to a wiser, kinder and much more sustainable one, without lurching reactively into anarchy, autocracy and violence.
About the speaker
Phoebe Barnard is a global futures analyst and sustainability strategist, global change ecologist, biodiversity conservation biologist, climate risk and resilience specialist, policy wonk, mentor for young professionals, and film co-producer. An affiliate full professor at University of Washington and research associate of three institutes at Universities of Oxford and Cape Town, she convenes top teams to work at the intersection of science, society, sustainability, policy, planning, leadership and media storytelling. See Wikipedia.
Venue details
Wheelchair accessible
No hearing loop