Technology for the public good: Using physics and engineering to solve humanity's key challenges
Event details
School of Physics, Engineering and Technology Launch Event
The new School of Physics, Engineering and Technology combines expertise in physics and engineering to push the frontiers of knowledge, foster innovation and meet the grand challenges facing society.
Our translational research themes of Challenging Environments, Engineering the Metaverse, Healthcare and Bioscience, Devices and Systems, and Sustainable Energy focus on real world problems and train the next generation of innovators, often in collaboration with business partners and external organisations.
Join our panel to hear about the impact that focussing research in partnership with external partners can have on society through exploring the challenges and opportunities, as we develop new technologies that work for the public good, in an environment where everyone can thrive.
Join us from 6pm, or stay on after the discussion, to view an exhibition showcasing research taking place at the School.
About the speakers
Professor Adam Beaumont is the Founder and Chairman of trusted communications specialist, aql and CEO of Isle of Man based telecommunications company, BlueWave. An active angel investor, Adam founded not-for-profit investment platform, NorthInvest which propels co-investment in tech start-ups across the North of the UK. Adam started his career in secure mobile networking for an agency of the MoD. His passion for future technology and its positive impact on the economy and society was recognised by the Maserati 100 to which he became a member in 2019. As a devoted environmentalist, he is a Trustee of the Eden Project and non-executive board director of Eden Project International Ltd (EPIL). Adam is also the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia championing trade and close relations with the UK.
Heba Bevan studied electronics and computer engineering, receiving a first for her final year project on robotics visualisation at the University of York. Upon graduation she worked as an engineer for the microchip design company ARM. Heba went to The University of Cambridge to do her PhD in low power wireless sensor networks, it was during her PhD that Heba founded UtterBerry. Heba was awarded an OBE in 2018 for her services to innovation, technology and STEM education. In 2021 Heba won Vodafone Women of the Year award for Innovation, and she was named Top 32 Women in Tech leaders and Top 20 Women in Data and named as one of the top 25 most influential women in UK Tech.
Sir Ian Chapman is a plasma physicist whose focus is on developing fusion as an energy source. He became CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority in 2016. His research has been recognised with a number of international awards, including the Institute of Physics Paterson Medal in 2013, the American Physical Society Stix Award in 2017, the Royal Society Kavli Medal in 2019 and the Institute of Physics Glazebrook Medal for leadership in 2021. He was made a Fellow of the Institute of Physics in 2013, became a visiting Professor at Durham University in 2015, elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2022 and made an Honorary Fellow of the Nuclear Institute in 2023. He was knighted in the King's New Year's Honours in 2023.
An immersive technology specialist, Jessica Driscoll is the Director of Immersive Technology at Digital Catapult. She has an MA in Digital Culture and Technology and experience of working with a variety of technologies from virtual reality, augmented reality and haptics in the creative and industrial sectors. She has implemented immersive training solutions in both educational and commercial institutions in particular NGO’s, Oil & Gas, Aviation, Pharmaceutical, Construction and Automotive industries. Her previous experience at BBC Research and Development gave her understanding and insight into audiences and testing new broadcast technologies at scale. With experience of each part of the immersive value chain from startups to international broadcaster, from business development to content production, Jessica’s hands-on experience helps to shape the support offered for startups and scaleups in the immersive economy.
Richard Stubbs is Chief Executive of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, working with the NHS, academic partners, and health innovators to support the transformation of health and care delivery through innovation. Richard is also Chair of the national Health Innovation Network, bringing together all 15 health innovation networks across England to deliver national impact. Richard chairs the advisory board for Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellness Research Centre (AWRC), a £14m research institution established to develop innovations that will improve population health and physical activity and is a visiting fellow at the university. Since June 2021, Richard has been Chair of the NIHR Children and Young People MedTech Cooperative MedTech and In Vitro Diagnostics Co-operatives (MIC) Steering group, the only dedicated paediatric NIHR MIC.
In 2021 Richard was recognised as Business Leader of the Year in the Yorkshire Post’s prestigious Excellence in Business Awards. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Leadership Fellow of St George’s House, Windsor Castle.