Making an Impact 2022

Speaker: Dr Andy Tranter, Managing Partner, Barker Brettell

Have you ever wondered how intellectual property is protected and enforced? Are you working in science, engineering, technical or a mathematics-based field and have considered becoming a patent attorney? Join two Liverpool alumni who went on to become patent attorneys and learn about the industry, what you need to know as a university researcher, and what it is like to be a patent attorney.

Speaker: Dr Mark Begg, Former Global Operations Director – Asia, Air Products

In an increasingly global world, there are opportunities to work in the public and private sector well beyond the UK. Join Liverpool alumnus Mark Begg, who will speak about his career and experiences working in Europe, the USA and Shanghai, China, where Mark was Operations Director for chemical industry company Air Products.

Speaker: Dr Iain Hennessy, Clinical Director of Innovation and co-founder of Alder Hey Innovation

There are few more working environments with greater personal impact and pressure than paediatric surgery, but Alder Hey Clinical Director of Innovation Iain Hennessey uses that pressure to develop new treatments and drive innovation. He will deliver this keynote on building a culture of innovation using his personal experience, from starting a surgical simulation company as a trainee to forming partnerships with multinationals such as Sony and IBM. Join Iain to hear about his unique underground innovation facility for collaboration with the tech sector and how he developed a team of clinician entrepreneurs to drive change within the NHS.

Speaker: Prof Calum Semple

In a presentation about the impact of his work, Professor Semple will discuss his experiences and share his perspectives on informing the COVID-19 response.

Speaker: Steve Rotheram, Liverpool Metro Mayor

In this critical moment of climate action, this event will showcase how innovation is leading the way in moving to a more sustainable, resilient and zero-carbon future. Featuring a keynote presentation from the Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, and a panel discussion from members of the Climate Futures Research Theme, this session will explore how the City Region is transitioning to a net zero carbon economy and how research at the University is leading the way on innovation in sustainability at a local, national and global scale.

Speaker: Alice Frost, Director of Knowledge Exchange – Research England

This Keynote session will update on the latest state of play in terms of Government priorities and spending review decisions and funding allocations. Alice Frost will review the last years of KE policy and funding developments, including the impact of COVID 19, HEIF, the initiation of the Knowledge Exchange Framework and the Knowledge Exchange Concordat and the increased focus on commercialisation. As well as setting out Research England’s current intentions and plans for a fundamental review of its KE funding and policy approaches.

Speakers: Dr Bryan Bodek, Chair, Trenchard Aviation, Chair, Novabiotics; Peter Gallaher, R&D Consultan,; Former EVP Strategic Sciences, Unilever Investor; Mark Woodward, Director at Earthmills, Neal Jones Furniture, Carbon Reduction technology, Retrogenix, EWD

What is it like to work with researchers and universities from the perspective of a business? Join a panel of Liverpool alumni who will share lessons from their outstanding careers in business, including entrepreneurship, tech transfer, investment, research and innovation in a global business, board level conversations and consultancy.

Speaker: Dr Lydia Brown MBE, Director at Strameno

A career in research need not tie you down, as Liverpool alumni Lydia Brown can demonstrate. After completing a BVSc at Liverpool, Lydia went on to a PhD at Stirling and then held research, technical and commercial positions at universities, Contract Research Organisations and veterinary pharmaceutical companies. Join this session for advice on a varied and successful career, whatever your current area of research.

Speaker: Prof Judith Petts CBE, Vice Chancellor University of Plymouth

Professor Judith Petts CBE has led the development of a new set of climate commitments endorsed by 140 universities which support government aims to cut carbon emissions by 78% by 2035.

In this keynote session, Prof Petts will discuss how Universities can make a difference to climate change by;

• advancing knowledge and delivering climate and sustainable development literacy and culture change
• managing their own operations and delivering institutional adaptation
• driving climate and sustainable development science and innovation
• contributing to international collaboration and essential interdisciplinary research
• delivering and supporting local (including community), national, and international learning and action.

Speakers: Prof. Simeon Yates, Professor of Digital Culture and Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research Environment and Postgraduate Research, UoL; Emma Stone, Director of Evidence and Engagement, Good Things Foundation; Chris Ashworth, Head of Social Impact, Nominet; Jocelle Lovell, Programme Manager, Wales coop; Sally Dyson, Head of Digital and Development, SCVO

This session will explore whether having a national Digital living minimum acceptable standard can be the answer to reducing digital inclusion. The discussions will include;

• Key challenges to increasing digital inclusion
• How do we bring different sectors and groups together to meet the challenges?
• The roles for different areas of research – social science, technology, education?

Speaker: Dr Mervyn Jones

We all know that sustainability is more than just a buzzword: a successful and healthy future for all of us depends on sustainable stewardship of our planet’s resources, from the decisions made by local councils and governments to the actions of large corporations and individuals. Join this session to hear from Liverpool alumnus Mervyn Jones, who has worked in sustainability on strategy development, implementation and consultation for more than 20 years, advising on construction, procurement, recycling, and even the Olympic Games!

Speaker: Professor Dinah Birch, Pro Vice Chancellor for Cultural Engagement and Prof Georgina Endfield, APVC Research and Impact, Humanities and Social Sciences; Professor of Environmental History

This session will cover issues such as:

• How to adjust the nature of events to support increased reach and broad demographic?
• Inclusivity and exclusivity.
• But this approach necessarily makes the events more passive, with less sense of real engagement.
• How to adjust approach to promote genuine involvement and active engagement?
• How to tempt people to sign up for face-to-face events alongside increased virtual participation?