Bennett School of Public Policy Annual Conference 2026

Book Your Place

Overview

Event details

26/03/2026 | 10:00–18:30
Churchill College, Cambridge, CB3 0DS, & Online
Free—booking required
Book Your Place

Tickets are now available for the Bennett School of Public Policy Annual Conference.

The Bennett School of Public Policy Annual Conference is a key moment in the public policy calendar, showcasing the latest ideas, evidence and real-world practice from policymakers, commentators and researchers.

The programme includes expert discussions, a keynote speech, poster presentations, and opportunities to network with professionals from policymaking, academia, government, business and the media.

Throughout the day, leading thinkers, practitioners and policymakers will explore some of the most pressing issues shaping public policy today, including:

  • Evidence-based policymaking in polarised times
  • AI and the future of public services
  • Can governments deliver growth?
  • Identity, place and belonging


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Agenda

Event details

26/03/2026 | 10:00–18:30
Churchill College, Cambridge, CB3 0DS, & Online
Free—booking required
Book Your Place

The Annual Conference aims to drive forward key policy questions in a turbulent world.

Please view the agenda below—subject to change at any time.

 

9:00–10:00
Registration with refreshments
10:00–10:15
Welcome

Speakers:

10:15–11:30
Evidence-based policymaking in polarised times

Speakers:

Chair: Prof Dame Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor of Public Policy, Bennett School of Public Policy

11:30–12:00
Refreshment break & poster presentations
12:00–13:15
AI and public services

Speakers:

Chair: Dr Aleksei Turobov, Assistant Professor, Bennett School of Public Policy

13:15–14:30
Lunch & poster presentations
14:30–14:45
Policy update
14:45–15:45
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham in conversation

Speaker: Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester

Chairs:

15:45–17:00
Can governments deliver growth?

Speakers:

Chair: Dr Alessio Terzi, Assistant Professor, Bennett School of Public Policy

17:00–17:30
Refreshment break & poster presentations
17:30–18:25
Keynote: The divorce of nations—new geo-strategic challenges for public policy

Speaker: João Vale de Almeida, former senior European Union Ambassador

Chair: Suzanne Raine, Master, Selwyn College, Cambridge

18:25–18:30
Closing remarks
18:30–19:30
Drinks reception

Conference speakers

Our esteemed speakers will each bring their unique expertise to this conference agenda.

Session experts

Session chairs

Venue

The Conference venue is Churchill College, Storey’s Way, Cambridge, CB3 0DS.

Getting here

By foot: Churchill College is a 15-minute walk from the city centre.

By bike: There is bicycle parking infront of the College. There are various places in Cambridge to hire a bicycle and electric bike.

By bus: The Universal bus service (also known as the U-bus) links Churchill with West Cambridge, the railway station, the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (including Addenbrookes), and many other University sites (such as Sidgewick). The stop nearest to Churchill is on Madingley Road, just a little further down from the pedestrian crossing which leads towards the Maths Faculty.

By train: The nearest train stations are Cambridge, and Cambridge North.

By car: There is limited vistor parking available on-site. From Storey’s Way, turn left down Churchill Avenue and the visitor car park is at the end. The College is a 25 minute walk from Madingley Road Park and Ride car park. (The Park and Ride does not stop outside of the college.)

Accommodation

Delegates can book their own accommodation at Churchill College by emailing: conferences@chu.ac.uk A choice of University rooms can be booked on universityrooms.com

For other accommodation in Cambridge visit: visitcambridge.org

Conference spaces

The Conference sessions are hosted in the Wolfson lecture theatre. There is a quiet breakout room next door with space to work and watch the sessions online with subtitles. Refreshments and lunch will be served in the Buttery. There is also a bar for any further food and beverages to be paid for by delegates. A multi-faith prayer-room is also available and can be accessed on request. View College map.

Facilities

The College is set on a 42-acre campus with footpaths and picnic benches. Delegates can leave their coats and bags in a dedicated but unsupervised room at their own risk. A prayer-room is available for delegates of all faiths.

Accessibility

The College has good physical access. For more details visit the College website.

churchill college

Online and at Churchill College

Churchill College,
Storey’s Way
Cambridge,
CB3 0DS
UK

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