The Space Elevator

Posted on: October 25th, 2025 by Alan Wareham

Graphene was first isolated in 2004 and the Nobel Prize in physics was awarded in 2010 to the two researchers who performed the work at the University of Manchester, UK.

Since then, graphene has been steadily developing and a whole landscape of two-dimensional (2D) materials has been discovered. Graphene has been found to be the strongest, lightest material known. It is now being manufactured on an industrial scale.

This new material will transform many industries. In this talk Rob and Adrian, from the Graphene Engineering and Innovations Centre on Sackville Street, will explain what graphene is, its latest applications, and how it will enable the ultimate civil engineering project: The Space Elevator.

The talk is structured as follows:

• What is graphene and the other 2D materials

• How graphene is already finding more uses than you might realise

• How rockets work and their limitations

• What is a space elevator and how it overcomes these limitations

• The state of the art in tethered lift manufacturing

• Could a space elevator really be built?

Adrian and Rob delight in explaining commercial activity and complex science in plain language, so you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy this talk. Bring your questions and they will answer as many as they can.

Adrian is a member of the board of directors of the International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC). He is also the founding editor of the Nixene Journal, a monthly publication that tracks the academic and commercial activity of graphene and 2D materials worldwide.

Rob is the CEO of Nixene Publishing, he contributed to the commercialisation module for PhD students at the Graphene NOWNANO Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) and shared an international panel with Nobel Prizewinner Prof Sir Kostya Novoselov, “A series of varied perspectives on our 2D futures”.

They are based at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), on the University of Manchester campus in the UK.

Rob & Adrian regularly present the science in plain English to audiences ranging from the general public, to universities, NASA and the USA government.

Who Should Attend?

  • Curious minds fascinated by how cutting-edge science advances from discovery to real-world application.
  • Students and educators in physics, materials science, engineering, or technology seeking inspiration from real research success stories.
  • Professionals in manufacturing, construction, aerospace, or energy sectors interested in how graphene and other 2D materials may disrupt their industries.
  • Entrepreneurs and innovators exploring emerging technologies and future business opportunities enabled by advanced materials.
  • Space enthusiasts intrigued by the concept of a space elevator and the future of human space access.
  • Members of the general public who enjoy learning how novel materials can reshape society, economy, and imagination.

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can a material just one atom thick profoundly influence engineering, transportation, and even space exploration?
  • What are the main challenges in producing and applying graphene and other 2D materials at industrial scale?
  • Could graphene-based technology enable humanity to rethink the limits of physics and infrastructure, even beyond Earth?
  • What would a space elevator mean for the future of space travel, global logistics, and sustainability?
  • How does fundamental research, like that done in Manchester, lead to commercial and societal transformation?
  • What lessons can we learn from the collaboration between scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs in bringing revolutionary ideas to life?

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

How the Maasai of Kenya use regenerative farming for climate resilience

Posted on: October 17th, 2025 by Editor-Jo

For centuries, the Maasai people of East Africa have lived in harmony with the land, moving with the seasons and maintaining a delicate balance between people, cattle, and wildlife. Today, climate change, land privatisation, and conservation policies restrict this traditional mobility, challenging both livelihoods and culture.

Dalmas Tiampati, a Maasai herder and climate activist, leads the Maasai Centre for Regenerative Pastoralism in Kenya. His work integrates indigenous ecological knowledge with regenerative land management — restoring degraded pastures, empowering communities, and reviving cultural governance systems.

In this talk, Dalmas will share the Maasai philosophy that “a herder is a herder of herders” — a vision of leadership rooted in care, responsibility, and interdependence. He will explore how traditional pastoral wisdom aligns with modern sustainability science, and how innovations such as azolla cultivation can produce local biofertilizer and livestock feed at no cost, offering a nature-based path to climate resilience.

Dalmas will be available after the event to talk freely with any attendees who would like to carry on the conversation directly with Dalmas.

Who Should Attend?

  • Professionals in ecology, sustainable agriculture, and international development.
  • Students and researchers in environmental science, geography, and anthropology.
  • Policymakers and NGO representatives working in regeneration and food systems.
  • Members of the public seeking insight into indigenous solutions to the global climate crisis.

Questions to Reflect On

  • What can the world learn from indigenous approaches to land stewardship?
  • How can regenerative pastoralism heal ecosystems and cultures simultaneously?
  • Can traditional knowledge and modern science work together to mitigate climate change?
  • How might innovations like azolla reshape sustainable farming in arid regions?

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

The Fall and Rise of Local Journalism

Posted on: October 10th, 2025 by Editor-Jo

Local journalism used to be a thriving and highly profitable industry – so much so that the Manchester Evening News used to subsidise the losses on its stablemate, the Manchester Guardian. But the 21st century has been devastating for local newspapers in the UK as their main revenue model has disappeared and thousands of journalists have been laid off. Poorer and smaller communities have become ‘news deserts’ – places where no meaningful journalism is being done. And large city newspapers have shed dozens of their reporters and editors, reduced to a shell of their former selves. As a result, many people are much less knowledgeable about what is happening in their communities, and sources of local power – including the police, the council and local companies – are not held to account. There is also a strong argument that people reading much more national – as opposed to local – media has contributed to the polarisation we see in British politics. Can local journalism in the UK be rebuilt?

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session and light refreshments can be purchased from the venue’s bar.

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

Raising Curiosity: The Rochdale Science Initiative

Posted on: September 26th, 2025 by Editor-Jo

From a museum trip with his son to a town-wide celebration of science, Mohammed Rahman shares the story behind the Rochdale Science Initiative C.I.C (RSI) and its flagship event, the Rochdale Science Extravaganza. What began in 2017 with 500 attendees has grown into a volunteer powered movement that now attracts thousands. The goal is simple and bold: make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) accessible for families who do not always see themselves represented in science spaces.

In this interview with Manchester Lit and Phil, Mohammed reflects on how a father’s quest to answer his child’s big questions became a civic mission. Expect a candid conversation about building trust in science through culture, faith, and family, meeting people where they are, in the spaces they already use, and turning curiosity into confidence. You will hear how RSI nurtures a community of volunteers, creates pathways for young people to stay with STEM, and partners with museums, universities, schools, and faith groups to bring hands on science into everyday life.

This year’s climate change theme shows RSI’s approach in action: relevant, practical, and hopeful. We will explore how the team finds speakers and presenters from across Greater Manchester, blends grants with community giving and in kind support, and keeps events welcoming, multilingual, and family friendly. Along the way, Mohammed, recognised by the British Science Association as a community role model, shares what has worked, what has not, and the simple steps any neighbourhood can take to start something similar.

To see RSI in action follow this link

Who Should Attend?

Anyone who cares about inclusion, education, and the power of local action, join us. Come for inspiring stories, stay for practical ideas, and leave with a renewed sense that science belongs to all of us, especially the next generation.

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session and light refreshments can be purchased from the venue’s bar.

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

From climate science to climate policy in a world of changing geopolitics

Posted on: September 23rd, 2025 by Editor-Jo

Piers Forster is founding Director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures and Professor of Physical Climate Change at the University of Leeds. He is recognised as a highly cited climate scientist with over 30 years of experience researching the causes and impacts of climate change, as well as mitigation and adaptation approaches and their connection to national and international climate policy.  He Leads the Indicators of Global Climate Change Project,  an international independent initiative to provide annual updates of key climate indicators to policymakers.  

He was made a fellow of the American Geophysical Union in 2019 and has played leading roles authoring Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, including its Special Report on 1.5°C and its latest IPCC 6th Assessment Report. He has sat on the UK Government’s Climate Change Committee since 2018 and has served as the Committee’s Chair for 2023-2025.

Who Should Attend?

This talk is for anyone who wants to understand the UK’s response to the climate emergency, including:

  • Professionals in healthcare, science, education, law, finance, and policy, who may be grappling with the implications in their own fields.
  • Students and young people, who will live longest with the consequences.
  • Community leaders, business owners, and decision-makers.
  • Anyone interested in the intersection of government, science, society, and survival.

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why did warnings about climate change go unheeded for so long?
  • What does a world at >4.2°C of warming really mean for our society and citizens, not just ecosystems?
  • How do issues of policy, economy, and national security intersect with climate change?
  • What practical actions can individuals and communities take now to make a meaningful difference to government policy?
  • Is there still time to change course, and what does “immediate action” actually look like in the UK?

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

When The Canary Stops Singing

Posted on: September 5th, 2025 by Alan Wareham

Thirty years ago, climate change was denied by the media. Twenty-five ago, the threat was only to tree frogs or polar bears and, 20 years ago, to ‘future generations’. Fifteen years ago, the Lancet Commission described it as ‘the greatest threat to human health of the 21st century’. But none of us took any heed. Now, every one of us is threatened and soon, it will be too late. So say not just climate scientists, but ecologists, agronomists, the food industry, the military, healthcare professionals, bankers, actuaries and economists.

In 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that, ‘Any further delay in concerted global action will miss a brief and rapidly closing window to secure a liveable future.’ In the same year, scientists told us that ‘accelerating greenhouse gas emissions…. culminate in a mass extinction rivalling those in Earth’s past’.  As extreme weather events escalate, the ‘Yield, quality, and predictability of [food] supply from many of our most critical sourcing regions is not something we will be able to rely upon over the coming years’.  Such effects mean that the world economy is committed to the loss of $38 trillion in 2005 international dollars, within 24 years. Indeed, the global economy may be halved within decades, ‘unless immediate policy action…is taken” and, according to the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, “our economy may not exist at all if we do not mitigate climate change’.

The latest data (January 2025) suggest that we are on track for >4.2oC, and we are warned that, “At 3C or more of heating by 2050, there could be more than 4 billion deaths, significant sociopolitical fragmentation worldwide, failure of states (with resulting rapid, enduring, and significant loss of capital), and extinction events.’

Prof Hugh Montgomery will discuss how we came to be here, the nature, gravity and immediacy of the threat, and what we must all do in our lives if we are to save ourselves and our families.

Who Should Attend?

This talk is for anyone who wants to understand and respond to the climate emergency, including:

  • Professionals in healthcare, science, education, law, finance, and policy, who may be grappling with the implications in their own fields.
  • Students and young people, who will live longest with the consequences.
  • Community leaders, business owners, and decision-makers, seeking to learn what action can (and must) be taken.
  • Anyone interested in the intersection of science, society, and survival.

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why did warnings about climate change go unheeded for so long?
  • What does a world at >4.2°C of warming really mean for human survival, not just ecosystems?
  • How do issues of health, economy, and national security intersect with climate change?
  • What practical actions can individuals and communities take now to make a meaningful difference?
  • Is there still time to change course, and what does “immediate action” actually look like in daily life?

Practical Information

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

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

The Implications of Low Fertility Rates

Posted on: August 6th, 2025 by Alan Wareham

The fertility rate in the UK – that is the average number of children born to a woman over her life – has fallen to under 1.5. This is well below the level at which the population would remain roughly constant in the absence of substantial net immigration. In the absence of such large net flows of people into the country the population will start to decline and continue to do so unless the fertility rate rises to a little over two. Some people believe that such a state of affairs poses serious economic and social problems. Many believe that the decline in fertility rates to, or in some cases well below, the UK level in many rich countries poses a substantial risk to the European way of life.

Part of the perceived risk is that economic growth will fall and could become negative. There is also believed to be a rising problem of care for the relatively elderly.

In this talk Professor David Miles CBE will consider the scale of the risk, the factors behind the decline in fertility and whether policies to substantially boost fertility are either likely to succeed or if they are even ethical. He will also consider the case for continued large scale migration to offset the effects of a low fertility rate.

The economic and social case that sustained low fertility rates poses severe problems is very far from obvious and he will explore some of its underpinnings. The disadvantages of ever-growing populations are highly relevant to whether one views low fertility rates as a curse or a blessing. He will use evidence from the past and speculate on how different patterns of fertility and net migration will affect the country over the next several decades.

Professor David Miles CBE will also consider philosophical issues connected with population size and whether current generations have obligations to maintain populations.

 

Who Should Attend?

This event is ideal for anyone interested in the intersection of economics, demography, philosophy, and public policy. Whether you’re an economist, sociologist, ethicist, policymaker, student, or simply someone curious about the implications of declining fertility rates and population trends, this talk offers a thought-provoking exploration of a critical issue. Join us to delve into the challenges, debates, and ethical considerations surrounding population size, migration, and the future of society.

 

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session.

Booking is essential.

 

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

Stone and Spirit of Place at Alderley Edge

Posted on: June 24th, 2025 by Alan Wareham

From the work of Victorian archaeologist William Boyd Dawkins, through the explorations of the Derbyshire Cave Society, to the novels of modern-day fantasy author Alan Garner, Alderley Edge has long served as a crossroads where imaginative subjectivity intersects with scientific objectivity.

Over thousands of years, multiple layers of meaning have become interwoven with this physical landscape, each drawing people to engage with The Edge in diverse and distinctive ways. Many of these meanings and interactions have been directly inspired by the area’s unique sandstone bedrock.

Drawing upon the disciplines of psychogeography and phenomenology, this talk examines how the geological character of Alderley Edge has cultivated a distinctive ‘spirit of place’, existing somewhere between magic and science.

Mineral deposits laid down millions of years ago have been mined since the Bronze Age, while extraordinary rock formations have given rise to enduring local folklore.

Today, The Edge is not only a protected site but also an immensely popular destination for walkers and nature enthusiasts. Adding to its intrigue are tales of a wizard, a stone imbued with a golden aura, and even the devil himself to add to the mix.

In this talk, Charlotte will unravel the interplay between scientific enquiry and the legends, illuminating why Alderley Edge continues to captivate and fascinate so many.

 

Practical Information

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

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

Mrs Dalloway at 100

Posted on: June 6th, 2025 by Alan Wareham

One hundred years after the publication of  Mrs Dalloway, by Virginia Woolf,  Mark Hussey and Kaye Mitchell discuss this iconic book. The fourth and best-known of Virginia Woolf’s novels, Mrs Dalloway is a modernist masterpiece that has remained popular since its publication in 1925.

Its dual narratives follow a day in the life of wealthy housewife Clarissa Dalloway and shell-shocked war veteran Septimus Warren Smith, capturing their inner worlds with a vividness that has rarely been equalled.

Mark’s new book Mrs Dalloway: Biography of a novel offers new readers a lively introduction to this enduring classic, while providing Woolf lovers with a wealth of information about the novel’s writing, publication and reception. It follows Woolf’s process from the first stirrings in her diary through her struggles to create what was quickly recognised as a major advance in prose fiction. It then traces the novel’s remarkable legacy to the present day.

Woolf wrote in her diary that she wanted her novel ‘to give life & death, sanity & insanity. to criticise the social system, & to show it at work, at its most intense.’ Mrs Dalloway: Biography of a novel reveals how she achieved this ambition, creating a book that will be read by generations to come.

 

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session and light refreshments can be purchased from the venue’s bar.

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

3D Printing in Medicine: From Science Fiction to Reality

Posted on: April 15th, 2025 by mlpEditor

From Fiction to Possibility

In Mary Shelley’s iconic novel, Victor Frankenstein harnessed electricity to breathe life into inanimate matter. Fast forward to recent times, and we find films like “Moon” (2009) and “Mickey 17” (2025) exploring the ethical complexities of human cloning. These narratives spark a fascinating question: Could we someday print fully-functional human beings, much like Star Trek’s replicator materialized objects on demand?

 

Science Fiction Becomes Science Fact

What once seemed confined to the realm of science fiction is increasingly crossing into scientific reality. The journey from imagination to implementation has always been medicine’s most exciting narrative. Consider organ transplantation—first conceptualized in fiction in 1925, before becoming reality with the first successful kidney transplant in 1954.

 

Manchester’s Pioneering Role

The field of bioprinting stands at a similar frontier today. Two decades ago, Manchester proudly hosted the first International Workshop on Bioprinting, establishing our city as an early pioneer in this revolutionary technology. Since then, Manchester’s scientists and clinicians have remained at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field, pushing boundaries and transforming possibilities.

 

Current Breakthroughs and Future Horizons

Join us as we explore the remarkable progress in bioprinting both locally and globally. We’ll journey through current capabilities—from printing simple tissues to the complex challenges of vascularized organs. We’ll examine the latest breakthroughs in biomaterials, cell sourcing, and fabrication techniques that are bringing us closer to printing functional human tissues and organs.

 

Ethical Considerations and Practical Applications

Our discussion will bridge the gap between what was once purely imaginative and what is now scientifically achievable. We’ll consider not just the technical aspects, but also the ethical implications and regulatory frameworks that must evolve alongside these innovations.

 

About the Speaker

Professor Brian Derby is a pioneer in bioprinting who coined the term itself and has led ground-breaking research at the University of Manchester for over 20 years, collaborating with medical scientists and local hospitals to develop 3D printing applications for medicine.

 

Who Should Attend

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a technology enthusiast, or simply curious about how science fiction continues to inspire medical advancement, this talk offers a fascinating glimpse into a future where bioprinting may revolutionize personalized medicine and potentially solve the global organ shortage crisis.

 

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session and light refreshments can be purchased from the venue’s bar.

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

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