In this keynote Geoff Mulgan (Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation) will reflect on the role universities can play in shaping meaningful options for the future. Also the pathways needed for fields such as care and health, democracy, welfare and cities. He argues that this future-oriented work has too often been sidelined in favour of analysing the present and the past, while addressing today’s societal transitions requires both.
Mulgan explores how academics can contribute not only as analysts, but as active partners of civil society, business and government. Drawing on concrete examples, he will discuss methods and organising models that enable universities to prompt social innovation and to engage in more ambitious programmes for systemic change.
At the heart of his argument is the need for what he calls exploratory social science: an approach that fully integrates science, engineering and technology with the arts and humanities. In a time marked by a profound imbalance by massive investment in technological possibilities alongside minimal investment in social possibilities, this kind of work is more essential than ever for building societies that are able to adapt, flourish and thrive.
Geoff Mulgan CBE is Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation at University College London; Former Chief Executive of the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA); Former Director of the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit.