We know more than we ever have about how climate change is reshaping our water systems - the floods, the droughts, the melting ice, the pressure on the water we all depend on. Yet translating that understanding into collective action remains a critical challenge.
The arts have a unique role to play in closing that gap. By connecting scientific knowledge with emotion, culture and lived experience, creative practice can deepen public engagement, broaden participation and inspire action in ways that data alone cannot.
This event brings artists, scientists, decision-makers and communities into the same room to ask how we communicate water challenges more effectively, and how we build the shared commitment that change requires. Through dialogue across disciplines and sectors, we will examine how evidence and creativity can combine to shape more resilient, equitable and sustainable water futures.
13:00–13:30 | Welcome coffee
Arrival and refreshments.
13:30–13:40 | Welcome: Water in a Changing Environment
Opening film and welcome from David Hannah, setting the scene and introducing the purpose of the event.
13:40–13:50 | Opening remarks
Opening remarks from invited guests.
13:50–13:55 | The the decade of cryospheric action - a keynote from John Pomeroy on what the next ten years demand of us
13:55–14:00 | Stories Connect: Across Arts, Science and Society
Michaela Mahlberg
14:00–14:10 | The premiere of In Freshwater - a new film by Sima Gonasi, with repeat screenings during the reception
14:10–14:20 | Beneath the surface - new sound work from Annie Mahtani, on the sound of water beneath the surface
14:20–14:30 | GULP! - screening of the performance and Q&A with Adam Ledger
14:30–15:00 | Panel discussion and Q&A
With Sima Gonasi, Annie Mahtani and Adam Ledger, chaired by Ruth Gilligan.
15:00–15:30 | Coffee break
15:30–15:45 | How We Talk About Water
Storytelling with Michaela Mahlberg.
15:45–16:00 | The Great Thaw: Arts and Science
With John Pomeroy, Trevor Davies and Gennadiy Ivanov.
16:00–16:30 | Panel discussion and Q&A
With John Pomeroy, Trevor Davies, Gennadiy Ivanov and Michaela Mahlberg, chaired by Andreas Wagner.
16:30–16:45 | Bringing Together Arts, Sciences and Society
Closing reflections from David Hannah and Andreas Wagner.
16:45–16:50 | Move to the museum and reception
16:50–17:15 | The Great Thaw - a guided walk through the temporary exhibition with the team behind it
17:15–19:00 | Reception and film screenings
Food and refreshments, with screenings of In Freshwater in the museum education room every 15 minutes from 17:15.
Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability)
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Professor David Hannah studies hydroclimatology in cold regions, focusing on river dynamics, climate interactions, and ecohydrology.
Professor of Theatre and Performance
Department of Drama and Theatre Arts
Professor of Theatre and Performance, at the University of Birmingham.
Professor of Electroacoustic Composition and Practice
Department of Music
Professor of Electroacoustic Composition and Practice
