A SALIENT Lunch and Learn webinar is your chance to:
Discover the latest developments in the world of National security and resilience
Hear short TED-style talks by experts on related topics.
Get your questions answered with 10 mins of Q&A.
Join us on the last Thursday of the month at 12:00 pm (GMT) for a lightning 20-minute talk from an Industry or Academic expert.
Previous speakers:
Thursday 28th May 2026: Professor Andrew James – Building Reslience in International Research Collaboration: RESEARCH SECURITY, ACADEMIC AWARENESS & BEHAVIOUR CHANGE
Thursday 25th June 2026: Louisa Rodriguez – Reduce the impact of shocks on individuals and communities through adaptation and embracing change, deployment of resources for personal resilience that is fair and just. Louisa Rodriguez – What is Resilience Really and how do we grow it? Recording now available
Thursday 30th July 2026: Dr Ellen Lewis – Inclusive Systemic Thinking & Evaluation for Social-Environmental Justice. Recording now available
Thursday 24th September 2026: Rebecca Friel MBE – ‘Is theatre really a tool for social justice?’ Recording to be uploaded
In her talk Rebecca covered how Theatre of the Oppressed goes on to inspire her work in communities and prisons today, and how Odd Arts uses theatre to influence systems, policy as well as personal transformation. The talk zoomed in to individual experiences, as well as system wide thinking.
Forthcoming confirmed speakers are:
Thursday 29th October 2026: Professor Simon Thurlbeck – Fire Protection for the Energy Sector – Just how exposed are we?
Abstract
The oil gas and petrochemical industries are truly global industries, and events elsewhere can affect what happens here. These industries and facilities are hazardous by nature, regardless of political or naturally occurring events, with fire being an ever-present risk. The level of regulation, competency, assurance, and standards, as well as appetite for risk around fires, varies considerably around the world. And yet, because this is a global business, all countries to a greater lesser extent are vulnerable to the importation of that risk, or cultivate their own through poor practice. This becomes very pertinent when a country, like the UK, has limited sovereign production capacity. The talk will discuss where things stand with fire protection globally, how the fire protection industry regulates itself, the parallels with the built environment, and what is required to improve the situation.
Thursday 26th November 2026: This space is currently available. If you are interested in providing a talk please get in touch with us!