DISEASE X: Moving from Global Failure to Global Readiness

Wed May 13 2026 at 04:00 pm to 05:30 pm UTC+01:00

The University of Manchester | Manchester

Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute
Publisher/HostHumanitarian and Conflict Response Institute
DISEASE X: Moving from Global Failure to Global Readiness
Advertisement
HCRI is hosting author Kate Kelland to discuss the themes of her book - Disease X
About this Event

Join us for this hybrid event with Kate Kelland, Chief Scientific Writer of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

ABOUT

The 2020–2023 pandemic exposed how unprepared the world was for a fast‑moving new pathogen.

Despite decades of warning signs, COVID‑19 brought death and devastation to societies and economies because we simply were not ready.

In this talk, journalist and author Kate Kelland draws on her 2023 book DISEASE X to explore why that failure happened, what nearly went right, and how, if the world gets the science, policy and global cooperation right, it could finally break the cycle of panic and neglect.

Kate will also discuss the 100 Days Mission – a pandemic‑busting plan to develop and deploy new vaccines against emerging disease threats before they spiral out of control.

From experimental vaccines produced in days to the systems still holding us back, this is a story about speed, equity and choice – and why the next Disease X pandemic threat doesn’t have to be a repeat of the last.

SPEAKER

Kate Kelland is an author, former award-winning health and science journalist, and now Chief Scientific Writer at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). Until mid-2021, Kate was a global health correspondent for Reuters, where she won multiple national and international journalism awards over a 27-year reporting career.

When she joined CEPI in August 2021, Kate embarked on writing a book about pandemic preparedness and control. That book, , was published in hardback in the UK in February 2023 and is now available internationally in a softback edition.

PRACTICAL

  • This is a hybrid event: In-person attendance is in Ellen Wilkinson Building; Online attendance is via Zoom.
  • Register for details & reminders
  • More on the hosts at: https://www.hcri.ac.uk/


Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom

Tickets

GBP 0.00

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Manchester

'Sensing, Knowing, Making' Research Event
Wed, 13 May at 09:30 am 'Sensing, Knowing, Making' Research Event

John Owens Building

The Professor Is in
Wed, 13 May at 10:00 am The Professor Is in

University Place

She Scales: Female Founders Connection and Co\u2011working
Wed, 13 May at 10:00 am She Scales: Female Founders Connection and Co‑working

NatWest Accelerator Manchester Hub

Guide Dogs Visit 12:30-12:45pm
Wed, 13 May at 12:30 pm Guide Dogs Visit 12:30-12:45pm

2 New York St

Business Insights with IBISWorld
Wed, 13 May at 02:00 pm Business Insights with IBISWorld

Business & IP Centre, 2nd floor

MYP Supper Club\u00a0@ Tangerine
Wed, 13 May at 05:00 pm MYP Supper Club @ Tangerine

Tangerine

DCP Showcase: Napsack or What do you call this thing from the party
Wed, 13 May at 05:00 pm DCP Showcase: Napsack or What do you call this thing from the party

Grosvenor East Building, Manchester Metropolitan University

Love in Religion: A Common Ground between Three World Faiths
Wed, 13 May at 05:00 pm Love in Religion: A Common Ground between Three World Faiths

Geoffrey Manton Building - Lecture Theatre 5 (LT5)

Growing Your Social Media Fitness Brand
Wed, 13 May at 05:30 pm Growing Your Social Media Fitness Brand

Made Hub

Surf Trash | Manchester, SOUP
Wed, 13 May at 06:00 pm Surf Trash | Manchester, SOUP

SOUP

Reframing Resilience: Places
Wed, 13 May at 06:00 pm Reframing Resilience: Places

Bloc - Bruntwood SciTech

Manchester is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Manchester Events