SXSW 2024: The Debate: Your Future City
Driven by devolution, local investment and entrepreneurship, the 21st century will belong to the city. Ambitious, post-industrial urban centres like Austin TX and Manchester UK will become the drivers of national and global progress.
The year is 2050 – what does your city look like?
You decide. Expert panellists will lead a citizens’ forum debate to design a better future for all across the arts, tech, policy, sustainability, and more. Encounter radical ideas. Vote for your favourites. Contribute your own. Together we’ll build a manifesto – and an artist will help bring it to life.
John McAuliffe
Director, Creative Manchester, The University of Manchester
John McAuliffe is an Irish poet and Professor of Poetry at the University of Manchester. He is also Associate Publisher with the leading independent publisher Carcanet and Director of Creative Manchester, which convenes interdisciplinary projects on Creative Industries and Innovation; Creative and Civic Futures; and Creativity, Health and Well-being.
Leandro Valiati
The University of Manchester
Distinguished global leader in creative and cultural industries policy and research. Held academic appointments and directed collaborative projects at UFRGS (Brazil), University of Valencia (Spain), International University of Catalunya (Spain), Queen Mary University of London (UK), and Labex - ICCA of Paris 13 University - Sorbonne (France). Recognised for Exceptional Talent and Global Leadership in Creative Industries by the British Academy (UK). Serves in advisory and governance roles for preeminent global creative industry institutions such as the Policy and Evidence Centre for Creative Industries – NESTA/AHRC; British Academy; Global Policy Institute, QMUL; Creative Manchester; and the Brazilian Ministry of Culture. Currently based at the University of Manchester as Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) and Programme Director in Creative and Cultural Industries, shaping the next generation of policy and industry leaders in this critical sector.