Steering Committee Member
The Rising Festival 2024, Cambridge
Professor Dame Carol Black DBE
Chair of the British Library
In 2019, with drug-related deaths and crimes at all-time highs she was appointed to lead a major independent review of the impact of illicit drugs on society. This was published in two hard-hitting Parts in 2020 and 2021. She successfully galvanised commitment to a cross-government approach and additional funding (£780m over three years) to tackle drug misuse, within a new holistic drug strategy to address the various challenges. This work followed a 2016 independent review analysing the impact on employment prospects for people battling drug addiction, alcohol addiction or obesity; and two other influential independent reviews, in 2008 and 2011, on health, work, wellbeing and sickness absence, all affecting productivity.
She is chair of the British Library and chairs the boards of the Centre for Ageing Better and Think Ahead, the Government’s training programme for mental health social workers.
From 2012 to 2019 she was Principal of Newnham College, Cambridge University. Professor Dame Carol Black was awarded the Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in the New Year’s Honours List 2024.
Open Conversation
12:15 - 13:00 | Main Stage
Moderated by Prof. Dame Carol Black, Chair of the British Library and Chair of the Centre for Ageing Better.
“Inspiring Inclusion: Women's Work, Tomorrow's World" offers a forward glimpse into the future of women at work. Our panellists will look at the emerging world post covid and what it means for women both the opportunities and challenges. We will explore how women can drive progress, innovation, diversity, and inclusion.
