BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:-//Columba Systems Ltd//NONSGML CPNG/SpringViewer/ICal Output/3.3- M3//EN VERSION:2.0 CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260911T125716Z DTSTART:20261008T123000Z DTEND:20261008T140000Z SUMMARY:Inclusive Innovation for People and Planet UID:{http://www.columbasystems.com/customers/uom/gpp/eventid/}n2e-mtwxtkt r-h0f9h5 DESCRIPTION:How can research\, innovation and community collaboration hel p create a more sustainable and resilient future?\n\nThis panel event br ings together recipients of Sustainable Futures’ Innovation Labs\, Early Career Researcher Ideas Catalyst and Community Impact Fund to showcase how research can be translated into practical action. From recovering cr itical materials from electronic waste and unlocking geothermal energy p otential to engaging the public in ethical debates around biomedical was te and improving community responses to wildfire risk\, the projects dem onstrate the diverse ways innovation can address environmental and socie tal challenges. \n\nThrough a series of lightning talks and a panel disc ussion\, speakers will share what it takes to turn early-stage ideas int o real-world impact\, the value of working across disciplines and sector s\, and the role universities can play in supporting innovation that ben efits people\, communities and the planet. \n\nAudience members will le arn about Sustainable Futures’ funding available to academics and extern al partners and explore common themes across the projects through an int eractive Q&A. \n\nThis event forms part of the University of Manchester 2026 Innovation Festival - a week-long celebration of innovation\, from Monday\, 5 to Friday\, 9 October 2026. \n\nSpeakers: \n\nDan Healy\, Lan thaGen Bio LtD \nDr Jingyue Hao\, University of Manchester \nDr. Joe Gle ntworth University of Manchester \nDr Mark Shtanov\, University of Manch ester \nProject summaries \n\nJingyue Hao ‘Geothermal energy: how far ca n we go?’ - Early Career Researcher Ideas Catalyst recipient \n\nGeother mal energy could provide reliable\, low-carbon heat and power in the UK\ , but development is constrained by technical\, commercial and policy ba rriers. This pilot project brought together researchers\, industry partn ers and policymakers to identify these challenges and strengthen links b etween academic expertise and real-world delivery. The work showed that substantial geological data and subsurface knowledge could support geoth ermal development\, while a museum display demonstrated strong public cu riosity about this largely invisible renewable resource \n\nDan Healy ‘S ustainable recovery of rare earth elements from electronic waste’ - Inno vation Lab recipient \n\nRare earth elements are essential to low-carbon technologies and electronics\, yet their concentrated supply chains are vulnerable and environmentally damaging. Valuable materials in electron ic waste remain largely unrecovered\, while University-connected start-u p LanthaGen Bio needed a reliable way to detect them in complex waste st reams. The project tested electrochemical sensing methods and demonstrat ed detection of europium and cerium at relevant concentrations and advan ced the technology to Technology Readiness Level 2. \n\nMark Shtanov ‘Re spectful Disposal’ - Early Career Researcher Ideas Catalyst recipient \n \nRespectful Disposal explores the hidden infrastructure supporting mode rn biomedicine. It examines what happens to donated human bodies and ana tomical specimens after medical training and research\, highlighting eth ical questions\, regulatory gaps and the environmental implications of d isposal through industrial waste systems. Through architectural research \, large-scale drawings\, co-design workshops and interactive exhibition elements\, the project invites audiences to reflect on disposal practic es\, sustainability and the value society places on human remains. \n\nJ oe Glentworth ‘Peak Fire Reporter’ - Community Impact Fund recipient \n\ nVegetation fires are an increasing risk in remote upland areas as clima te change\, land-use pressures and recreational activity intensify. Yet many incidents go unrecorded\, limiting understanding of their effects o n ecosystems\, carbon stores\, infrastructure\, public health and air qu ality. Peak Fire Reporter used the Peak District as a case study to addr ess this evidence gap. Project partners co-designed an interactive dashb oard improving public awareness of wildfire and air-quality impacts\, pr ovide land managers with stronger evidence for decisions\, and help resi dents and visitors interpret environmental risks. STATUS:TENTATIVE TRANSP:TRANSPARENT CLASS:PUBLIC LOCATION:Uni Place\, Room 4.206\, 176 Oxford Road\, \, Manchester M13 9PL END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR