The Global Sustainability Institute (GSI) at Anglia Ruskin University has been funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) under it’s Nexus Network to establish the Nexus Shocks Network. The work is led by Dr Candice Howarth and Dr Aled Jones.

The Nexus Shocks Network brings together interdisciplinary and cross-sectorial expertise to engage in constructive dialogue, identify opportunities to address challenges, and better inform decision making in response to nexus shocks.

The Nexus Shocks network is hosting a half day symposium to present results from five workshops held with over 80 of its members to co-design the future aim, scope and strategy of the network.

Provisional Agenda:

08:45 Registration Opens

09:30 Introduction to the Nexus Network

10:00 Barriers to decision making: Introduction to the Nexus Shocks Network and workshop findings

10:30 Panel discussion

11:00 Coffee and networking break

11:15 Informing decision making in response to shocks to the nexus

12:00 Panel discussion on future research agenda of the Nexus Shocks Network

13:00 Close and lunch

Speakers include Prof James Wilsdon (The Nexus Network), Dr Frances Harris (University of Hertfordshire), Prof Molly Jahn (University of Wisconsin), Dr Adam Cooper (UCL), Dr Geoff Darch (Atkins), Dr Candice Howarth (Global Sustainability Institute), Dr Aled Jones (Global Sustainability Institute).

Background to the Nexus Shock Network

Nexus Shocks are low probability, high impact events that span energy, water and food systems. They impact multiple actors, scales and disciplines making them complex to understand and uncertain to address.

Five workshops were held between September and October 2015 to explore strategies for effective decision making on Nexus Shocks with interested actors across different sectors:

1. Predicting shocks and hazards – in collaboration with the Met Office
2. Transmission and mitigation of risk though infrastructure - in collaboration with Atkins
3. Insurance and finance for resilience - in collaboration with Lloyds of London & Willis RE
4. Local business responses to shocks - in collaboration with Climate UK
5. Governance, governments and shocks - in collaboration with Chatham House

For more information about the event, please contact Julie-Anne Hogbin at julie-anne.hogbin@anglia.ac.uk or +44 (0)1223 695108.

For more information about the Nexus Shocks Network please contact Dr Candice Howarth at candice.howarth@anglia.ac.uk.