Creating connections West Midlands 2026
This event will bring together experts from academia, industry and government to address scientific and technical opportunities and challenges in the West Midlands.
91TV will be delivering Creating Connections in the West Midlands 2026 – a conference focusing on regional research and innovation. This event will bring together experts from academia, industry and government to address scientific and technical opportunities and challenges in the West Midlands.
This event will feature workshops and roundtable discussions on diverse topics including policy, industry and education. This event will also feature a lunchtime address and various networking opportunities which will bring together delegates from across the conference.
Attending this event
- This event is free to attend
- To register for an open session,
- To request access to an invitation-only session, please contact industry@royalsociety.org
Schedule
| 10:30-12:00 |
Royal Society support for innovation
Join us for a series of presentations showcasing projects from the Royal Society’s Industry Fellowship, Short Industry Fellowship and Entrepreneurs in Residence programmes. Hear directly from researchers and industry partners as they share how collaboration supports the translation of research into practical impact. This session is open to all. |
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| 10:30-12:00 |
Practical science in the classroom: teacher workshop
This workshop is designed for primary and secondary science teachers, technicians and school leaders, and focuses on practical approaches to delivering science in the classroom. The session will introduce a range of Royal Society programmes, including Partnership Grants, alongside free teaching resources and opportunities for schools to access funding of up to £3,000. Through presentations, discussion and interactive activities, participants will also have the opportunity to connect with other educators and share approaches to practical science. In the afternoon, teachers will join professionals from universities, museums and community organisations for a shared session exploring effective schools and public engagement. This session is invitation-only. |
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| 10:30-12:00 |
Engagement, collaboration and community
This workshop is for professionals working in public engagement and outreach across universities, science centres, museums and community organisations. The session focuses on building connections, sharing practice and exploring opportunities for collaboration, including those supported by the Royal Society. In the morning, participants will explore approaches to engagement and develop ideas for collaborative partnerships. In the afternoon, the session will bring together engagement professionals and teachers for roundtable discussions on the skills and knowledge needed to deliver effective schools, public and community engagement. This session is invitation-only. |
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| 12:00-12:10 |
Welcome address
Professor Martin Dawson FRSUniversity of Strathclyde
Professor Martin Dawson FRSUniversity of Strathclyde Martin Dawson is professor and director of research at the University of Strathclyde’s Institute of Photonics, which he helped establish almost 25 years ago. Since 2012 he has also been the inaugural Head of the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (Fraunhofer CAP) in Glasgow. Martin has contributed broadly to laser and semiconductor research including ultrafast lasers, optically-pumped semiconductor lasers, diamond photonics and micro-LEDs, the latter of which is now emerging globally as a new form of commercial display technology. He holds fellowships of the IEEE, OSA, Institute of Physics and Royal Society of Edinburgh, and he has been awarded the Dennis Gabor Medal and Prize of the IOP and the Aron Kressel Award of the IEEE. |
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| 12:10-12:30 |
Lunchtime address: Science and innovation in the West Midlands
Professor Ian Noble FREngMondelez, UK
Professor Ian Noble FREngMondelez, UK Head of Research, Analytical and Productivity, Mondelez International RDQ; Visiting Professor, University of Birmingham. Professor Ian Noble is Senior R&D Director at Mondelez International, where he leads global programmes across research, analytics and productivity within the company’s Research, Development and Quality (RDQ) function. His work focuses on driving innovation at scale, improving manufacturing efficiency, and translating scientific research into commercially viable products. He has held senior leadership roles across major multinational food and beverage businesses, including leading Emerging Snacks Technology at PepsiCo and global Food Services Beverages R&D at Unilever. In addition to his industry role, he is a Visiting Professor at the University of Birmingham and Chair of the Food Sector Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), where he works to strengthen collaboration between industry, academia and government. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a strong advocate for the UK food manufacturing sector. |
| 13:15-14:45 |
Building innovation locally: regional support and networks
This session will feature presentations from regional organisations providing support for research, development and innovation. Speakers from universities, innovation centres and regional networks will share how they support businesses through collaboration, knowledge exchange and access to expertise across the West Midlands. The session will conclude with a panel discussion, offering an opportunity to explore the support available and ask questions directly to speakers. This session is open to all and aimed at local SMEs and industry. |
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| 13:15-14:45 |
Breathing space: emerging technologies for clean air in Birmingham
Air quality is a critical public health challenge in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, where pollutant levels exceed World Health Organization guidelines. This workshop brings together policymakers, researchers and industry experts to explore how emerging technologies can improve air quality through monitoring, emissions reduction and exposure management. Participants will assess technological feasibility, risks and evidence gaps, and generate ideas to inform future decision-making and regional air quality strategy. This session is invitation-only. |
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| 13:15-14:45 |
Getting published: navigating the process with Royal Society Publishing
This interactive workshop is designed for PhD students, postdocs and early career researchers looking to publish their work. The session provides practical guidance on choosing the right journal, preparing manuscripts and navigating the publishing process, alongside key topics such as open science, the use of AI, and increasing the visibility of research. This session is open to all. |
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| 15:15-16:15 |
Unlocking funding for innovation and collaboration
This session will feature presentations from organisations providing funding, specialist support and investment opportunities for businesses. Join speakers from IUK Business Connect, the British Business Bank and DSW Ventures to explore funding routes and support available to help drive innovation and growth. This session is open to all and aimed at local SMEs and industry. |
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