bluedot In Conversation

bluedot joins forces with our friends at Bruntwood for a series of special daytime talks in their spaces across Manchester.

Enjoy the full talks now available on the bluedot YouTube and podcast, and standby for future talks revealed soon.

30 JUNE

Our Manchester: How Does Culture Build Community?

What is Manchester without its rich arts and culture scene? From writers like Elizabeth Gaskell and Anthony Burgess to the seismic Madchester movement in the 80s and 90s, and even TV institution Coronation Street, arts and culture form a huge part of what the city is known for. But how does it shape our local communities and our identity as Mancunians? 

For our latest ‘Bluedot in Conversation’ event, powered by Bruntwood, our expert panel will discuss milestones in Manchester’s cultural history, explore what culture means to our city and answer your burning questions. 

Meet our lineup of culture connoisseurs: 

Kate Vokes – Non-executive Director at Bruntwood & Chair at The Oglesby Charitable Trust
Gavin Sharp – CEO at Band on the Wall
Boshra Ghgam – Actor & Spoken Word Artist
Inga Hirst – Director of Relationships & Engagement at the Royal Exchange Theatre

26 MAY

HELEN PANKHURST
in conversation with Chris Hawkins

Helen is the great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst and granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst, leaders of the British suffragette movement.

She is also a leading women’s right’s activist, author, senior advisor to CARE International, professor at Manchester University and Chancellor of the University of Suffolk.

26 April

Tom Heap (39 Ways To Save The Planet)
in conversation with Chris Hawkins

Tom is a journalist and author covering science, environment, farming and energy stories. He is a regular presenter of BBC Countryfile on TV and Costing the Earth on BBC Radio 4. The podcast series ’39 Ways to Save the Planet, emerged from a determination to celebrate the successes in our fight against climate change. Knowing where we are winning informs, inspires and stems anxiety. Tom started out wanting to make movies but, while working as a sound man for Sky News, he gained a taste for journalism. At the BBC, he was a producer on the Today Programme, transport correspondent, science and environment correspondent and ended up specialising in rural affairs. Outside of work Tom likes to ride bikes, paddle canoes, chop wood, watch films and grow chillies.

Tom featured in conversation with Chris Hawkins about his ’39 Ways’, the book that came out of the series, and what we can all do to fight climate change.