Event Agenda
09:30 – 10:00 am
Arrival and registration
10:00 – 10:45 am
Opening Plenary: Mobilising Social Sciences to Drive Innovation
Learn how Aspect is providing opportunities for social sciences to be used in the private sector, and what social sciences can gain from collaborating with industry. This will include insights from Julia Black and Colette Fagan followed by a Q&A session.
Speakers:
- Julia Black, Strategic Director of Innovation and Professor of Law a London School of Economics and Political Science & UKRI board member
- Colette Fagan, Vice-president for Research at Manchester University
- Andrew James, Associate Dean for Business Engagement & External Relations, University of Manchester
10:45 – 11:10 am
Refreshments and networking
11:10 – 12:30 pm
Panel Debate: Purpose in Practice
Hear from industry leaders on innovations that have made a real difference to not only their business, but also to people and the planet.
Panellists:
- Thomas Bouvier, Marketing Manager, Soaper Duper
- John Pritchard, Founder, Pala Eyewear
- Duncan Gray, Founding Director, Brodie
- Teresa Hitchcock, Partner, DLA Piper LLP
Chair:
- Mariel Vilella, Director of Global Strategy, Zero Waste Europe.
12:30 – 1:00 pm
Keynote: Helen Taylor, Ecotricity Ambassador
and CEO of Forest Green Rovers
Helen Taylor discusses insights into ‘sustainability disruption’ in the clean energy market and professional football. Helen’s presentation will trace the ‘green entrepreneurial’ journey of the clean energy company Ecotricity and their sister company Forest Green Rovers Football Club.
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Lunch and networking
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Breakout sessions:
Academic and business collaborations in practice:
This breakout session will feature academics and business partners from the universities of Cardiff, Glasgow and Oxford speaking on how collaboration between the private sector and academia has been mutually beneficial in translating research into real-world impact.
Panellists:
- Adam Saunders, Research Fellow at the Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance, Department of Education, Oxford University
- Dr. Natalie Welden, Lecturer in Environmental Science and Sustainability, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Glasgow.
- Sally Good, Chief Operating Officer, Evidence to Impact
Chair:
- Chris Fellingham, Licensing and Ventures Manager, Social Sciences and Humanities, Oxford University Innovation
What does scaling up social science mean?
Explore what opportunities there are to make social science impact sustainable beyond the funding end date.
Panellists:
- Joanne Tippet, Ketso Kit founder and Lecturer in Spatial Planning, School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester
- Bruce Etherington – Impact manager, University of Cardiff
Chair:
- Mel Knetsch, Deputy Director of Impact and Innovation, ESRC
3:00 – 3:30 pm
Refreshments and networking
3:30 – 4:00 pm
Closing plenary: Jeremy Kent Hall, Director of the Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex
Jeremy Kent discussed ‘Emerging Challenges and Unintended Consequences of Innovation: The ‘Eroom’ Effect and Borlaug’s Paradox’
The Q&A and closing remarks, chaired by Julia Black.
4:00 – 6:00 pm
Networking & drinks reception
