RBC Manchester: Beyond the Headlines

The United Kingdom stands at a historic crossroads. From the erosion of public trust to the deepening of social and economic fissures, the nation’s foundations are being tested by forces that often operate just out of sight. Beyond the Headlines brings together three formidable voices to peel back the layers of our current political crisis and explore what lies beneath the daily noise of the news cycle.
Through an examination of their latest works, our panel will explore the systemic drivers of UK instability:

• The Mainstreaming of Reactionary Politics examining how exclusionary and divisive rhetoric has transitioned from the political fringes into the heart of our democratic institutions, fundamentally altering the "mainstream" landscape.
• The Rise of Shadow Networks: looking how the influential global networks and techno-authoritarian interests are working to destabilise Western democracies and weaponise social divisions for elite gain.
• The Architecture of Fragmentation: dissecting how internal ruptures from economic inequality to geographic polarisation—that have left the UK feeling more fractured than at any point in recent history.

This is more than a diagnosis of decline.
The evening will conclude with a vital discussion on restoration and repair. Together we will outline a roadmap for rebuilding community resilience, restoring democratic integrity, and moving toward a future defined by cohesion rather than conflict.

Over two decades Nafeez has reported for the Guardian, Vice, the Independent, the Atlantic, the Times and others. His investigations have exposed extremist networks, systemic failures in energy, climate and security policy, and government misconduct over Covid-19. Cited in Parliament and Congress, his work combines journalism with systems thinking to reveal root causes and drive change.
Nafeez's books range from peer-reviewed transdisciplinary systems science to investigative exposés. Together they chart a journey from diagnosing systemic crises to identifying the systems driving political extremism, as well as mapping how we might build an ecological civilisation.

Connect with Dr. Nafeez: LinkedIn | Instagram

Dr Aaron Winter is Senior Lecturer in Sociology (Race and Anti-Racism) at Lancaster University and Research Associate in the Faculty of Humanities at University of Witwatersrand.
His research is on the far right with a focus on racism, historical change, mainstreaming, terrorism and counterterrorism. He is co-editor of the books (Routledge 2010) and co-author, with Aurelien Mondon, of (Verso 2020).

Connect with Aaron: LinkedIn | Instagram

A Manchester-based photographer whose work blends street photography and portraiture, aiming to document the political atmosphere within modern Britain.
His images focus on moments of public expression, from protests and demonstrations to everyday encounters that capture the energy, tension, and humanity of people in shared spaces. Adam's work has been published in his recent photo book "", exhibited at venues across the North West, and shared through his Instagram platform @appreciate.that.

Connect with Adam: Instagram

Omar Latif

Omar is the founder of an AI startup and also pursuing a PhD in Behavioural AI. One big reason Omar joined RBC is to get away from academic literature, gain knowledge in areas outside of his interests and to have engaging conversations with the awesome community.

There is a clear alliance with the philosophy and taste of RBC as Omar has already read 70% of the books from the Rebel Book Club library!

Ryan Fellows

Co-host Ryan is an Honorary Salfordian having lived here for 14 years, but proudly born and raised in Preston

Having discovered RBC during ‘lockdown’ the monthly variety was a welcome distraction and the old zoom meets’ helped keep his sanity! Post Covid he’s looking to help build the Manchester crew

A keen amateur historian and lover of most sports; when not delving into a new book he’ll be watching the weekend's football or out running (in the famous Manchester rain!).

This event is brought to you by Manchester.

Every month since May 2015 we’ve helped 1000s of curious minds explore a topic, meet, discuss and share learnings & actions. Whether you want to form a lifelong habit, or turn topic insights into action, we exist to help you or your team up your learning game. We’re now in Manchester and 9 other cities around the world + online.

Learn more about Rebel Book Club Manchester

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Rebel Book Club