Schedule
Schedule
The Wolfson Hall, Churchill College,
University of Cambridge, Storey’s Way, Cambridge, CB3 0DS
17:50–18:00
Welcome: Munira Mirza, Chief Executive, Civic Future
18:00–19:30
Progress: Have we run out of road or can we build new highways?
Over the past three centuries, humankind has experienced remarkable progress – notably in science and technology – resulting in billions being lifted out of poverty. However, today, the long march of scientific evolution seems to have paused, while productivity, wages and standards of living are either static or in decline in many advanced economies. Even before the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the UK economy was stagnating. This is despite attempts by successive governments to boost growth and turn the tide.
Have we used up the major benefits of the last few centuries’ scientific research and development? Is there a cap on economic growth that we’re now bumping up against? Are we experiencing Western ennui? Or should we be optimistic about emerging technologies and the ability of governments and markets to shape the future?
Keynote:
Professor Tyler Cowen, Professor of
Economics, George Mason University; author
Respondents:
Professor David Edgerton, Hans Rausing Professor of the History of Science and Technology and Professor of Modern British History, King’s College London
Sam Bowman, Founder and Editor of Works in Progress at Stripe
Chair:
Professor Diane Coyle CBE, author; Bennett Professor of Public Policy and co-director of the Bennett Institute for Public Policy, University of Cambridge
