Name: On the night shift: why are we doing research at 3am?
Start: 2025-03-19T16:00:00+00:00
End: 2025-03-19T17:00:00+00:00
Location: School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol

Inaugural lecture by Professor Michele Acuto
About this Event

On the night shift: why are we doing research at 3am?

Abstract

What are 300 million people doing awake at night, if not partying? In the shadows of our cities, many are leading nocturnal lives. Come on a trip across London, Hong Kong, and Singapore to meet unique night characters: McRefugees, Night Mayors, the Bishan otter family, and more. Explore how the night-time workforce shapes our cities and keeps our 24-hour economies ticking. See how lives are adapting to the brutal impacts of climate change.

About the Speaker

Professor Acuto holds the role of Professor of Urban Resilience in the School of Geographical Sciences at the University of Bristol. He joined the University in 2024, following leadership positions at University of Melbourne, University College London (UCL) and University of Oxford, having been educated in Italy (Genoa), Norway (Oslo), Australia (ANU) and Singapore (NUS). He has a wide-ranging university management track record alongside significant diplomatic experience in the multilateral sector outside academia (at the World Bank, for the EU, and WHO), focused on urban development and international relations, and centred on global health and climate resilience.

His research on the relation between urban governance and planetary challenges has received over $42 million in named research funding with a broad publication record and regular partnership with UN agencies, local governments, the private and philanthropic sectors. He has served as an advisor and in policymaking across all scales of governance, including for instance for UN-Habitat, City of Melbourne, or Australian and UK Government. Professor Acuto is also currently Managing Editor of Urban Studies, and a Board Member at Fondation Botnar. He is the author of, recently, How to Build a Global City (Cornell) and Managing Cities At Night (Bristol).

This event will be followed by a drink’s reception.