Innovation Conference shows how Hallam research can boost sustainable pandemic recovery

Sustainability Business Engineering

A view of Sheffield from the train station.

The two-day conference (29-30 June), is one of a number of events happening throughout June as part of the Innovation Festival, celebrating research, partnership and collaboration success at Sheffield Hallam in areas such as materials science, art and design, sports science and engineering, health, bioscience, and economic and social research.

The conference will focus on four key research themes: driving recovery and renewal through innovation, transforming society and the global economy through Industry 4.0 and digital technologies, sustainable low-carbon technology, economy and society and through the ages – supporting wellbeing across the life span.

Alexander Stafford, Rother Valley MP and member of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee, will give a keynote speech at the conference addressing the vital role university research plays in driving innovation and regional re-development.

It follows news that Sheffield Hallam is part of TransFIRe (the Transforming Foundation Industries Research and Innovation hub), a consortium which will examine how the foundation industries can grow and develop whilst achieving net zero 2050 environmental targets.

Alexander Stafford, MP for Rother Valley said: “I am delighted to serve as the keynote speaker at Sheffield Hallam University’s Innovation Conference. The world-class research conducted by British universities such as Sheffield Hallam plays a crucial role in driving cutting-edge UK innovation in our pursuit of net zero and a strong British economy post-COVID and post-Brexit.

“I am particularly passionate about Sheffield Hallam’s ability to help transform South Yorkshire, including my constituency of Rother Valley, by championing exciting, new technologies and catalysing inward investment and high-quality jobs. Sheffield Hallam is a true South Yorkshire success story, and I support their vision to turbocharge regional redevelopment and to achieve national strategic goals.”

Professor Andy Alderson, Director of the Industry and Innovation Research Institute at Sheffield Hallam said: “The Innovation Conference will be the high point of a festival celebrating the very best of the research carried out by Sheffield Hallam University.

“Through demonstrating the impact of our research, we hope to inspire new collaborations and connections with business leaders, policy makers, academics and technology providers that will generate more world-leading innovations addressing key regional and global challenges.”

Other events included the 10th annual Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI) Symposium, showcasing the diverse range of research undertaken by staff and students within MERI and an event led by the Sheffield Innovation Programme and Digital Innovation for Growth about how the University can help regional businesses grow through innovation.