Under attack: 15 Years spent photographing Britain

Posted on: February 3rd, 2026 by Alan Wareham

Joel Goodman will talk about his specific experiences as a photojournalist, framed with the context of his photographs and publications. He will be discussing why it should matter to him beyond his own self-interest, what success and failure look like to him, what values he tries to bring to his practice and the pressures of working independently in sometimes hostile and unforgiving environments.

Most of his photography involves politics and “hard news” – unscheduled coverage of breaking stories or of live events – and, when he does his job well, the work can be published widely in print, online and on television, around the world. Often this coverage results from images photographed and then transmitted directly from his camera, where the only editing is in the focal length and composition he chose at the moment of capture.

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does “success” versus “failure” look like for a hard‑news image?
  • Walk us through one frame shown tonight: where you stood, focal length, and timing—why those choices?
  • How do you stay safe and de‑escalate in hostile or fast‑moving situations?
  • What pressures do independent freelancers face – from subjects, police, editors, or online audiences – and how do you keep your independence and values?
  • In the UK context, how do you balance public interest with minimising harm – handling consent, privacy, minors, victims, and arrestees?
  • With images sent straight from camera, how do you caption and verify under time pressure and prevent miscontext?

Practical Information

The presentation will include time for questions and discussion. Booking is strongly advised.

Access

Access to the event is via the Altrincham Street entrance.

Accessibility Information

Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

What’s in a Name?

Posted on: January 23rd, 2026 by Editor-Jo

How do we know Shakespeare was Shakespeare? Could a glover’s son who left school at fifteen really be the author behind such masterpieces as Hamlet, King Lear and The Tempest?

Yes! says historian Susan Amussen. She transports readers back to early modern England, to travel the path that carried William Shakespeare from humble origins in Stratford to literary greatness on the London stage. This was a society undergoing rapid change. Grammar schools made education in Latin and Greek available to commoners, while touring players brought the latest dramatic productions to the masses. And in London, a metropolis filled with European visitors, ordinary people had the opportunity to see courtly life up close.

No serious historian doubts that Shakespeare was the author of the plays that bear his name. Susan Amussen shares what they know: that Shakespeare’s England was a complex and cosmopolitan place, with everything a talented young playwright needed to develop his craft and furnish his imagination.

Practical Information

Booking is essential. Lit&Phil members: we recommend logging into the website to make booking your free member ticket quicker and easier.

Accessibility Information

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

Why Plato Matters Now

Posted on: January 23rd, 2026 by Alan Wareham

In this talk Professor Angie Hobbs explores three of the key ways (there are many more!) in which Plato’s methodology, arguments and ideas can help us articulate, think through and address contemporary challenges.

Firstly, through his selection of the dialogue form he shows us how difficult issues can be discussed in constructive ways, where the interlocutors collaborate in a search for truth; he also deliberately offers models of how not to do it — dialogues in which one of the interlocutors aims not at truth, but victory by any means — whether through bullying or verbal tricks. Plato thus offers us the tools to help bridge current political, religious and cultural divides and to spot and combat fake news and fallacies; these tools are already proving of great benefit in primary and secondary education and are being expanded: for example, Professor Angie Hobbs has recently been giving training sessions in the question-and-answer technique to the civil service.

Secondly, Professor Angie Hobbs will look at Plato’s ethics of individual and communal flourishing — ‘flourishing’ is a more objective concept than happiness — and indicate how it can assist greatly in matters of healthcare, education, the training of AI systems and urban and environmental planning; Professor Angie Hobbs will briefly discuss work she has been doing with the NHS Strategy Unit in how to apply an ethics of flourishing at various points in the care pathway, such as in the prioritisation of waiting lists.

Finally, Professor Angie Hobbs will outline Plato’s brilliant analysis in the Republic of how a democracy can be subverted to tyranny by a cynical demagogue (although Plato was not a great fan of direct democracy — the only kind he knew — he nevertheless thought it greatly preferable to tyranny, of which he had had direct experience in Syracuse, at the court of Dionysius I).  This incisive analysis enables us to remain alert and spot problems in our own democracies before it is too late; in particular, we need to pay attention to Plato’s warning to watch out for the corruption of language (he highlights the abuse of  ‘freedom’) and the subversion of moral terms (such as ‘courage’), and the importance of remaining proactive agents, and not simply reacting to events.

Interview

Read our interview with Professor Angie Hobbs HERE

Book Signing

There will be a book signing event after the talk, hosted by House of Books and Friends, so attendees can meet and buy a signed copy of Professor Hobbs’ Book – ‘Why Plato Matters Now’

Practical Information

The presentation will include time for questions and discussion. Booking is strongly advised.

Access

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

Manchester: One City, Many Voices

Posted on: January 8th, 2026 by Alan Wareham

Join the Manchester Lit & Phil and MACFEST for a vibrant evening celebrating the power of words to bridge cultures, spark understanding, and illuminate the rich tapestry of our city.

Manchester: One City, Many Voices brings together a distinguished panel of poets whose award-winning works span continents, traditions, and lived experiences.

Through live readings and personal reflections our guest writers will explore what diversity and inclusion truly mean in a city shaped by migration, creativity, and community. Their stories – rooted in memory, identity, struggle, joy, and hope – offer a compelling portrait of Manchester as a place where many cultures not only coexist, but flourish.

This unique event invites audiences to reflect on the ways literature can build empathy and connection, celebrating Manchester as an exemplar of multiculturalism at its best. Come prepared to be inspired, challenged, and uplifted by voices that reflect the city’s past, present, and ever-evolving future.

This is a free public event, designed to welcome audiences from all backgrounds and to highlight the unifying power of literature and the spoken word. There will be time for discussion and questions to the poets.

 

One City, Many Voices brings together four writers – Nasima Bee, Nóra Blascsok, Pamela Galloway and Peter Kalu.

 

Nasima Bee is a performance poet, producer and creative practitioner who uses art as a means of activism and her work is an exploration of the everyday through a personal lens that connects to its audience through inquisition and conversation. Nasima focusses on the human, centring stories that are unheard, misrepresented or ignored.

Nóra Blascsók is a Hungarian poet based in Manchester and one of the Manchester Multilingual City Poets in 2025. Manchester Literature Festival and Manchester UNESCO City of Literature co-commissioned Nóra to create a new work responding to the themes of ’sanctuary’ and ’welcome.’ Her powerful and playful response is ‘Guernica Children’.

Pamela Galloway divides her time between Canada and Manchester having grown up in Longsight. Each of her two homes provides rich inspiration for her poetry, and she writes about the people she encounters in daily life and the landscapes around her.

Peter Kalu is a poet, fiction writer and playwright who grew up in Manchester. In 2024 he received the Society of Authors Travelling Scholarship award and his acclaimed lyrical essay-memoir collection Act Normal was published in 2025 by Hope Road. Much of his writing reflects the UK second-generation migrant experience.

 

 

Event registration details will be shared between Manchester Lit&Phil and MACFEST.

Can the Law Save the Planet?

Posted on: January 8th, 2026 by Alan Wareham

Synopsis

(The focus paper is available to DOWNLOAD HERE)

Climate change law has emerged as a critical legal discipline in response to the global climate crisis. Unlike traditional laws that impose penalties for wrongdoing, these laws set obligations for governments and organisations to reduce carbon emissions and limit global warming to well below 2°C. Over 3,000 laws and regulations now exist worldwide, forming a framework for climate governance.

Rooted in international environmental law, climate change law began with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992), followed by the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the landmark Paris Agreement (2015). The Paris Agreement introduced flexible, legally binding elements, requiring nations to submit and update Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) every five years, report progress transparently, and mobilise $100 billion annually for climate finance. It also mandates global stocktakes and adaptation planning, aiming to align financial flows with low-carbon development.

National legislation complements these efforts. For example, the UK’s Climate Change Act 2008 set binding emission targets and established oversight mechanisms. Courts have increasingly enforced climate obligations, as seen in Urgenda v Netherlands, where the government was ordered to cut emissions by 25% to protect human rights. Similarly, the Swiss Senior Women case (2024) marked the first international ruling that state inaction violates human rights. Other notable cases include Ogale and Bille v Shell, highlighting corporate accountability, and the West Cumbria Mining judgment, which reinforced stricter environmental assessments.

Despite progress, challenges persist enforcement gaps, political resistance, and unequal capacities among nations. Critics argue climate laws can impose economic burdens, threaten sovereignty, and face practical limitations. Supporters emphasise accountability, global cooperation, and moral responsibility to future generations, asserting that legal frameworks drive innovation, protect ecosystems, and prevent irreversible harm.

The debate centres on whether climate law should reflect ethical duties to future generations and if legal systems can capture these dimensions. While laws provide stability and enforceability, they must balance economic realities with intergenerational justice. Ultimately, climate change law is a cornerstone of global sustainability, translating scientific urgency into actionable policy and fostering international solidarity in the fight against climate change.

Question posed

“To what extent should climate change law reflect moral obligations to future generations, and can legal frameworks adequately capture the ethical dimensions of environmental stewardship?”

  • This question invites discussion on:
  • Intergenerational justice
  • The limits of legal systems in addressing moral duties
  • Whether laws can or should be shaped by ethical principles rather than economic or political interests

What to Expect

The Lit & Phil Philosophy Forum is a space where serious ideas meet joyful exploration. Whether you are a seasoned philosopher or a curious newcomer, our discussions are designed to foster a spirit of open-minded inquiry. We prioritize respectful dialogue, intellectual curiosity, and the shared pursuit of understanding over adversarial debate. This is philosophy as it should be—dynamic, inclusive, and profoundly engaging.

Practical Details

(The focus paper is available to DOWNLOAD HERE)

Note on Attendance: Due to the popularity of these events, places are often fully booked. If you reserve a ticket but later find you cannot attend, we kindly ask that you cancel promptly to allow others the opportunity to join.

Inspiring Young Minds in Manchester & Beyond

Posted on: December 19th, 2025 by Alan Wareham

How can we spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence in young learners through science? In this thought‑provoking lecture, Professor Lynne Bianchi will draw on her extensive research and experience to explore what makes science education truly meaningful for children aged 5 to 14.

Working in close partnership with teachers across the UK, Professor Bianchi has seen first‑hand how science and engineering can become powerful platforms for wonder, imagination, and lifelong learning. She will discuss the evolving educational landscape, highlighting both the opportunities and the challenges that shape teachers’ confidence and curriculum development. Central to this is her influential framework, the Trajectory of Professional Development, which has guided many educators in rethinking their approach to science teaching.

As the government’s curriculum review looms, Professor Bianchi will share her vision for the “next‑step” science curriculum, one that equips children not only with knowledge, but also with the confidence to ask questions, explore possibilities, and connect science to the world around them.

The lecture will spotlight the decade of impactful work she has led in the Science & Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub, at The University of Manchester. This will include raising awareness of the Manchester-born global campaign – Great Science Share for Schools. Attendees will be invited to reflect on their own perspectives: what is science learning for, and how can we ensure it inspires every child?

Join us for an evening of insight, reflection, and inspiration as we consider how to shape the future of science education for the next generation.

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session.

Booking is essential. Lit&Phil members: we recommend logging into the website to make booking your free member ticket quicker and easier.

Accessibility Information

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

Truth in the Age of Algorithms

Posted on: December 18th, 2025 by Alan Wareham

In this talk, Dr Jennifer Cearns explores predictive AI as something surprisingly familiar: a modern form of divination.

Like older techniques for reading the future, today’s algorithms promise to help us navigate risk, uncertainty, and the desire to know what comes next. Dr Jennifer Cearns considers the cultural ideas built into AI, especially our long, messy history of defining “intelligence”, and how these assumptions shape what we treat as knowledge or truth.

Drawing on ethnographic research in the US and the UK, Dr Jennifer Cearns asks what kinds of truths AI seems to produce, and how these connect to much older ways of knowing that have shaped Western culture since the Enlightenment.

By viewing AI not just as a technical tool but as a cultural product, Dr Jennifer Cearns shows how predictive systems both challenge and reinforce existing assumptions about knowledge, revealing how our ideas of truth are becoming increasingly networked, iterative, optimised, and future oriented.

Who Should Attend

Anyone curious about how AI shapes decisions and our ideas of truth.

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session.

Booking is essential. Lit&Phil members: we recommend logging into the website to make booking your free member ticket quicker and easier.

Accessibility Information

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

The Morphology of Modern Manchester

Posted on: December 12th, 2025 by Alan Wareham

In Britain, during the post-war period, many urban design professionals were architect-planners. A considerable proportion of these were employed by local authorities. A drive by the state to use legislation to control and influence the shape of development created a very specific set of political circumstances. Central government policy was filtered and interpreted by local government councillors and their officers and each town or city approached this in a different way. The legislation and the training enabled a very particular mode of urban design that was characterised by ambitious three-dimensional visions. Such ambition was also underpinned by non-statutory guidance that reflected the zeitgeist for vertical separation in urban settings, such as Sir Colin Buchanan’s Traffic in Towns.

In this talk, Richard Brook will examine Manchester as a case, through which to explore the nested tiers and networked relationships of government, governance and the private sector in the creation of new city space. Manchester’s 1945 Plan, directed by City Engineer and Surveyor, Rowland Nicholas, was one of the most comprehensive in Britain, yet it faltered due to a lack of capital, lack of statutory powers and lack of material resources. In the 1960s, Manchester’s first Chief Planner, John Millar, revisited the urban design of the entire central area with a team of talented young planners, recruited from the region. Their work was arguably greater in its scope and definition than that produced in 1945 and shaped the city for the next 50 years. Though only partially realised, the framework for development established in the mid-1960s and approved in 1968, set the tone for almost all the changes to follow for the next 50 years.

Now, as the palimpsestic traces of earlier visions are increasingly obscured by the pace of contemporary urbanisation, using rich visual material collected over the last three decades of research, Richard will position architectural histories alongside planning and urban histories. He will show how central government legislation was interpreted spatially by Manchester’s planners using drawings and models and how these visions continued to inform development well into the twenty-first century. In so doing, he will present an inverted archaeology of the city that traces the patterns established on paper and the long-term physical residue of these gestures.

Who Should Attend?

This talk is for anyone who cares about how Manchester came to look and work the way it does, curious residents, city enthusiasts, students, and professionals alike. You’ll enjoy it if you walk, cycle, drive or shop in the city centre and want to understand why streets, routes and buildings are arranged as they are. Community group members, councillors and people in planning, architecture, transport, heritage or development will get clear, visually rich insights into how past decisions still shape today’s city. No prior knowledge needed, just an interest in Manchester’s story and a desire to see familiar places with fresh eyes.

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session.

Booking is essential. Lit&Phil members: we recommend logging into the website to make booking your free member ticket quicker and easier.

Accessibility Information

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

Rewilding the Lowlands: Lessons from Knepp and Beyond

Posted on: December 9th, 2025 by Alan Wareham

How can rewilding take root in a landscape as densely populated, fragmented, and historically cultivated as lowland Britain? In this talk, Charlie Burrell will explore that question through the remarkable story of the Knepp Wildland Project in West Sussex – a pioneering experiment in letting nature lead.

Knepp began over twenty years ago as a bold gamble: to step back from intensive agriculture and allow natural processes to shape the land. The result has been a flourishing mosaic of habitats – scrub, wood pasture, wetland and meadow – alive with returning species from turtle doves to purple emperors and nightingales. But Knepp is also part of a wider movement. Across Britain and Europe, rewilding is challenging assumptions about conservation, land use, and the relationship between people and nature.

Charlie will use Knepp as a model to examine the spectrum of rewilding – from large-scale wilderness restoration to smaller, community-led and agricultural projects. Drawing on historical land use, he will discuss how the landscapes of the past can inform the ecological and social choices of the future.

The talk will also explore the powerful forces now driving the rewilding movement – from climate change and biodiversity loss to a growing recognition that nature recovery can deliver real economic and social benefits. Charlie will highlight the emerging role of philanthropy, particularly through the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, which is helping to finance major restoration projects across Europe.

Finally, he will turn to one of the most exciting frontiers in this field: how Nature-Based Solutions can be valued and monetised to create sustainable funding streams for nature. Using Nattergal, a company he chairs, as a case study, Charlie will show how private capital and ecological ambition can align to restore degraded landscapes, capture carbon, and revive biodiversity.

This promises to be an inspiring evening charting the next chapter in Britain’s evolving relationship with the wild.

Practical Information

The presentation will include time for questions and discussion. Booking is strongly advised.

Access

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

 

A History of Pies and Puddings

Posted on: November 20th, 2025 by Editor-Jo

Food historian Neil Buttery (author of The Philosophy of Puddings and Knead to Know: A History of Baking) explores the history of some of our most beloved British foods: pies and puddings, from their origins on the top tables in medieval meals to the present day, where they are beloved by many (and treated with suspicion by some).

In the Middle Ages, Britain used to have a great tradition of baking huge pies – called coffyns and pasties – filled with whole joints of venison and wild boar. There were large luxurious mince pies too, filled with expensive exotics and plenty of meat, but these fancy pies all pale in comparison to the humongous and rather grotesque Yorkshire Christmas Pye of the Georgian era, filled with the bounties of the northern landowners sent by horse and carriage to their city friends.

The history of puddings is much more convoluted – the simple question of ‘what is a pudding?’ is a surprisingly difficult one to answer: black pudding, haggis, jam roly poly, steamed treacle sponge, trifle, ice cream – how can all of these be puddings? Then there is the added complication of any dessert or afters also called ‘pudding’. The pudding has gone through quite an evolution since its humble origins as a mixture of blood and fat boiled in intestines.

Neil will also present some of his research on regional foods: there’s a regional pudding associated with almost every region of England, why did such a proliferation of regional puddings occur and what does this tell us about the origins of some of our most beloved regional and national pies and puddings: Manchester pudding will, of course be represented, plus Yorkshire pudding (and the fact it’s not from Yorkshire), Cornish pasties (and the fact they’re not from Cornwall) and haggis (and the fact it’s not Scottish). Bombshells these may be – but they tell us much more about the social history of food and how foods become associated with particular places and quickly integrated into the cultural landscape of a region or country.

Refreshments (mulled wine, mince pies, tea, coffee and soft drinks) will be available for an additional cost. Please select the appropriate ticket type when making your booking.

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