University of Northampton hosts energy seminar as part of national social mobility campaign

The University of Northampton is at the forefront of a campaign from social mobility champions to level up UK society and overcome the barriers to opportunity worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Social Mobility Pledge, a coalition of businesses and universities, which campaigns for increased mobility and opportunity, has put together a list of 14 Levelling Up Goals to galvanise efforts to reduce inequality.

The goals are being launched with a seminar series. Each seminar – to discuss one of the 14 goals – will be hosted by one of the Social Mobility Pledges university partners with a panel discussion featuring businesses and local MPs.

The University of Northampton is hosting a seminar titled Harnessing The Energy Transition on Tuesday 16 March, from midday to 1pm.

This virtual panel discussion will centre on the need to ensure that the energy transition is fair and creates opportunities across the UK.

The seminar, which will be broadcast on the Fit For Purpose website, will include appearances from Vice Chancellor, Professor Nick Petford, Visiting Professor, Jeff Ollerton, and the University’s Environment and Sustainability Manager, Victoria Blake.

The Social Mobility Pledge chair, the Rt Hon Justine Greening, a former Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, said: “Even before this dreadful pandemic, the UK had a lot of ground to make up in addressing social mobility and inequality of opportunity.

“The proceeds of economic growth had not been shared evenly and many groups and places were being left behind.

“Great work had been done by businesses and universities to address that but Covid19 threatens to undo much of it.

“Disadvantaged groups have been hit hardest by this disease and we must redouble our efforts if we are not to go backwards.

“These goals are designed to provide standards against which we can measure ourselves and track our future progress in driving real, targeted change on the ground.

“These 14 goals transcend political divides and can be supported by all political parties.’’

For more details on the series of seminars on the 14 Levelling Up Goals visit: levellingupgoals.org