Matrix

Airspace of the Future Showcase
2022-06-15 10:30 - 13:30 (Europe/London) | Online and In Person
During the hybrid event you will hear from the project partners who will be discussing what the airspace may look like in the future with regards to creating a safe, sustainable and accessible airspace.
The Airspace of the Future consortium led by Thales are hosting their final showcase event at the DARTeC facility at Cranfield University.
The project partners are: Thales, Cranfield University, Cranfield Airport Operations, Inmarsat, Altitude Angel, Ocado Group, Blue Bear, Satellite Applications Catapult, and Connected Places Catapult.
Over the past 21 months this multi-skilled, cross-sector consortium has been focussing on exploring the challenges that the future use of drones at scale will face and how we solve them. The project has been developing a coherent, UK-wide solution that will meet regulatory and safety requirements which will enable equitable access to the airspace to all drone operators against a managed and controlled framework.
During the hybrid event you will hear from the project partners who will be discussing what the airspace may look like in the future with regards to creating a safe, sustainable and accessible airspace.

Scenarios for a Science Superpower
2022-07-06 11:30 - 12:45 | Online
The UK Government has announced in a number of recent policy documents its aim for the UK to become a “science superpower”. What does this mean in practice – and how would we get there? What are the opportunities and the challenges? In this webinar, we will explore these issues, and hear about recent work by Professors Sarah Main and Graeme Reid to develop some potential scenarios for the future.

Speakers

Professor Sarah Main
Executive Director, Campaign for Science and Engineering

Professor Graeme Reid
Chair of Science and Research Policy , University College London

Other Speakers To Be Confirmed

Support for business innovation - latest developments and priorities for policy - finance, procurement, talent, leadership, and investor skills, and access to market and export opportunities
2022-07-11 08:30 - 13:00 | Online
This conference is discussing priorities for policy and action to support business-led innovation in the UK – in enterprises of all scales, including innovative scale-ups and SMEs.
It is bringing together stakeholders with key policymakers to examine progress and next steps for the Government’s UK innovation strategy and UKRI’s Plan for action for business innovation – with an added discussion focus on priorities following the pandemic.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with Sarah Mackintosh, Deputy Director, Innovation, BEIS; and Dave Wilkes, Director, Innovation Ecosystem, Innovate UK.
Delegates will assess what is needed – from government, regulation, finance and the wider private and public sectors – to help meet the needs of innovators through all stages of corporate and product development, including in R&D, feasibility studies, investment, partnership development and commercialisation.
The agenda looks at:

finance:

growing private investment in UK innovation – leveraging public funding – building specialist investor skills
regulation – use of mechanisms such as BBB & Global Britain Investment Fund

partnerships – better facilitating creation collaboration between investors & businesses – opportunities for sharing knowledge, best practice, intelligence & talent
public procurement – improving tendering processes – mechanisms to better support innovators – widening access & opportunities for SMEs to expand in domestic & international markets
talent – options for domestic and international skills, education & recruitment pathways – potential & use of the new Scale-up, High Potential & Global Mobility visa routes

The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside policy officials who are due to attend from DCMS; DIT; the Home Office; IPO; and The Scottish Government.

Inbound Investors 2022
2022-08-08 08:00 - 17:00 | Titanic Hotel, Titanic Quarter, 8 Queens Rd,, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT3 9DT, United Kingdom
In 2021 Catalyst’s Inbound Investors attracted 63 non-NI Investors to Belfast and scored very highly on their feedback.
This year, Inbound Investors will be held on the 18th October and is a great opportunity to meet the largest number of funders ever to come to NI and accelerate your path to securing potential funding. Inbound Investors will host external Venture Capitalists, Family Offices and Syndicates, a growing number of whom have already invested in NI companies. All coming together in Belfast primed to explore in investable opportunities. They are interested not just in companies raising now, but also in building relationships towards future potential rounds.
As an entrepreneur seeking potential funding, this will be your opportunity to get to the deal tables of Investors.

INVENT Awards 2022
2022-09-01 20:00 - 22:30 | ICC Belfast, 2 Lanyon Place, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 3WH, United Kingdom
The INVENT 2022 Awards Night at the ICC Waterfront Belfast. Join Catalyst on the 1st September 2022 for Northern Ireland’s biggest celebration of innovation, where they will be showcasing the ten INVENT 2022 finalists, and unveiling the INVENT 2022 overall winner.
Ten finalists | One overall winner | £47,000 worth of funding available
Hosted by William Crawley the Evening includes

Finalist Showcase and Drinks reception
The INVENT Awards including category, student and overall winner announcements
Innovation Founder Award
A 3 course meal featuring local NI produce accompanied with wine

Tickets can be purchased on an individual or table basis.
Finalists include Mind-Mapper Ltd, PulseAI, Vikela Armour, Field of Vision, Plaswire Limited, Phasora Ltd, Linc, Academic Fish Ltd, Thunder, and Allergy Act.

23rd TAROS Conference
2022-09-07 - 2022-09-09 | Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, OX14 3DB, United Kingdom
UKAEA’s RACE will host the 23rd TAROS – the longest running UK-hosted international conference on Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS). It is aimed at the presentation and discussion of the latest results and methods in autonomous robotics research and applications.
TAROS offers a friendly environment for robotics researchers and industry to take stock and plan future progress. It welcomes senior researchers and research students alike, and specifically provides opportunities for research students and young research scientists to present their work to the scientific community.
Deadlines

20th May 2022
Submission deadline (5pm BST)

10th June 2022
Confirmation of acceptance

15th July 2022
Camera-ready paper submission (5pm BST)

Professional and Financial Services Innovation CR&D Competition Briefing Event
2022-09-08 09:00 - 13:00 | Online
Innovate UK will open a new £7m CR&D competition on 5th September, to support digital innovation in Professional and Financial services.
Key themes of the competition are to enable services to under-served and excluded communities, individuals and businesses and to make provision of these professional and financial services more efficient and effective.
The competition will be open for applications from the 5th September until 9th November.

Opportunities in the European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder Scheme
2022-09-08 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Innovate UK KTN in collaboration with the UK Research Office (UKRO) and the UK National Contact Point for the European Innovation Council, Innovate UK would like to invite you to a webinar on the 8th of September which will give you an overview of the EIC and EIC Pathfinder.
The EIC pathfinder programme supports the exploration of bold ideas for radically new technologies. It welcomes the high-risk / high gain and interdisciplinary cutting-edge science collaborations that underpin technological breakthroughs.
Grants of up to 3 to 4 million euro support early stage development of future technologies (e.g. various activities at low Technology Readiness Levels 1-3), up to proof of concept. Pathfinder projects can also receive additional funding for testing the innovation potential of their research outputs.

Who is this Event for?

Applicants participating in EIC Pathfinder projects are typically visionary scientists and entrepreneurial researchers from universities, research organisations, start-ups, high-tech SMEs, or industrial stakeholders interested in technological research and innovation.
Projects typically involve consortia of researchers and other partners from at least three different countries, but there are also opportunities for individual teams and small consortia (two partners).

What is it About?

Blazej Thomas, Senior European Advisor NCP, UKRO will provide an overview of Horizon Europe. Claire Griffin, UK National Contact Point, EIC, Innovate UK will be giving an overview of the EIC, focusing on the Pathfinder scheme, including eligibility criteria, evaluation criteria and on how to move results up the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).

Briefing Event: SBRI Healthy Ageing Scaling Social Ventures Competition
2022-09-14 10:00 - 10:45 | Online
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is pleased to announce the launch of the upcoming SBRI Healthy Ageing Scaling Social Ventures Competition, from UKRI and our Healthy Ageing Challenge.
The healthy ageing market we are investing in is diverse. It ranges from helping people remain physically active through to managing the impacts of ageing, such as hearing loss and cognitive impairment. On the way, innovations will help people live independently in their own homes for longer and enable them to remain engaged with their communities. These solutions will address Healthy Ageing’s ‘seven themes of ageing,’ described here.
Launching on 5 September, the competition aims to help companies achieve this mission by awarding a total of £3m. With grants for eligible project costs being allocated across one funding stream aimed at scaling existing products and services. Businesses will be able to apply for grants between 250K and 500K.
To discuss this further, an online briefing event is being held on 14 September to explain how the SBRI for Scaling Social Ventures will work, how businesses can apply and what UKRI are seeking.
During the briefing event there will be an opportunity to register for a 1-to-1 session with Innovate UK colleagues to address specific questions.
Agenda
10:00 – General introductions
10:05 – Healthy Ageing Challenge overview
10:15 – Introduction to Scaling Social Ventures SBRI competition
10:35 – SBRI overview
10:45 – IFS application process
Headed up by our Investment and Technology Innovation Lead, Dr Helen Crampin
The 100% funding provided by this competition, recognises the valuable contribution social enterprises make to society. I’m really looking forward to supporting you through the competition process and ensuring you get the best chance possible of securing this great funding opportunity.
Are you eligible? Do you meet the following requirements?

Exist to provide benefits to society
Have stated commitment to social outcomes for an identified set of beneficiaries related to the social mission
Have objects in constitutional documents, which form a constitutional lock, that protect the mission
Have the policy to distribute profits after tax, or plan to have one, so surpluses are used to achieve social or environmental impacts
Have the capacity and capability to scale your product or service by 25% of the current baseline activity

After the event our online networking tool, Meeting Mojo will be available for use for you to speak to the meeting hosts.

Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Industry Update Event
2022-09-22 10:00 - 16:00 | Online
The Department for Transport, Innovate UK and Innovate UK KTN would like to invite you to an important CMDC industry engagement event on the 22nd September 2022 in London. There will also be the option to join this hybrid event virtually.
Following on from the successful Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) Rounds 1 and 2, the organisers would like to welcome stakeholders across the maritime sector and supporting industries to attend this important event about the next stages of the programme through to March 2025. The event will explain the latest opportunities to engage with the CMDC programme and deliver the transition to clean maritime.
All stakeholders across the UK’s clean maritime eco-system are strongly urged to register to attend.
The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition programme is a multi-year R&D funding initiative. In March 2021, the Government allocated £23m of funding to 55 projects across the UK as part of CMDC1. These projects totalling £33m of public and private investment supported the design and development of zero emission shipping technologies and greener ports through a series of technology trials and feasibility studies to accelerate clean maritime. The competition ended on 31 March.
In May 2022, the new £206m UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) in DfT committed to a number of interventions to accelerate the decarbonisation of the maritime sector including further rounds of the CMDC over the next three financial years. This included launching CMDC2 with £12m of government funding for feasibility studies and pre-deployment technologies in clean maritime. The application window was closed on 14 July and bids are being assessed. Successful projects will run from January 2023 to August 2023.
UK SHORE committed to a third round of the CMDC later in 2022 aimed at large technology demonstrations and a fourth round in 2023.
Stakeholders are asked to register for this save the date now, as we are expecting high demand.

NICON22
2022-10-19 - 2022-10-20 | La Mon Hotel & Country Club, 41 Gransha Road, Comber, Northern Ireland, BT23 5RF, United Kingdom
The Northern Ireland Annual Conference and Exhibition 2022 (NICON22) provides a unique opportunity for colleagues and partners from across the health and care system, as well as the private and voluntary and community sector to come together, share ideas, reflect, network, and learn.
At this year’s conference, entitled ‘Recognition | Ambition | Mobilisation’, you can expect to hear from a wide range of local leaders, international speakers and frontline staff across over 40 sessions. Over the two days, we hope to inspire and connect you as we recognise the contribution of our workforce, explore our shared ambition for our health and social care services and agree how to mobilise to tackle waiting lists and deliver a world-class service for our citizens.
Speakers this year will include:

Peter May, Chief Executive of the HSC; Permanent Secretary, Department of Health
Robin Swann MLA, Minister of Health for NI, Department of Health
Sir James Mackey, Chief Executive, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; National Director, Elective Recovery, NHS England
Dr Anna van Poucke, Global Head of Healthcare, KPMG International; Healthcare Senior Partner, KPMG Netherlands
Alison McKenzie-Folan, Chief Executive, Wigan Council
Prof Kate Ardern, Director of Public Health, Wigan Council
Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive, NHS Confederation
Maria McIlgorm, Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health
Prof Siobhan O’Neill, Mental Health Champion for NI

Agenda
A copy of the conference agenda and delegate mini guide are available to view below.
NICON22 Conference Agenda
NICON22 Conference Mini Guide
Who should attend?
If you are a manager, clinician, service user, or partner in health and social care, we would be delighted to welcome you to conference.

An Innovation Strategy for Scotland
2022-11-07 12:30 - 17:00 | Online
The Scottish Government is shortly to publish an innovation strategy. What are the key challenges for promoting innovation in Scotland, and how will the new strategy tackle these? What are the key contributions needed from the Scottish Government, industry, higher education and others? What can Scotland learn from a similar strategy in Wales, and how does this fit in with plans of the UK Government? In this discussion event, we intend to explore these questions, and look forward to the new Scottish innovation strategy.
Speakers

Ivan McKee MSP
Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Scottish Government

Professor Sir Jim McDonald
Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, and President of the Royal Academy of Engineering

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick OBE
Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland

Dr Deborah O’Neill
Chief Executive Officer, Novabiotics

Professor Rick Delbridge
Professor of Organizational Analysis, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University

Hardtech and High-Value Manufacturing
2022-11-09 17:30 - 21:30 | Online
What is the role of hardtech and high-value manufacturing companies to the UK economy? How do these companies work with the UK research base? How do they contribute to the innovation strategies of the UK and devolved governments, to skills development, and to levelling up, as part of the post-Covid recovery? And what should policymakers, funding agencies and the companies themselves be doing do to ensure that we maximise the value to the UK from these innovative companies? These are just some of the questions we hope to explore in this discussion event.

SBRI: Information event - Delivering a wastewater smart network for NI
2022-11-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
NI Water is the sole water and wastewater provider for Northern Ireland and is committed to ensuring its treatment is efficient, and that wastewater returned to the environment is safe.
NI Water has been awarded £200,000 ex VAT of SBRI funding to support up to 4 suppliers to undertake research to develop a smart wastewater network.

Find out more about this competition.

The project is intended to understand existing data sets from the wastewater networks to identify and provide early warnings allowing reaction to problems and effective mitigation.
This free to attend, online event will provide an overview of the SBRI programme in Northern Ireland, information about the project, and details of the application process.

Northern Ireland Economic Conference
2022-11-30 | Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick, Paradise Walk, Templepatrick, BT39 0DD
The Northern Ireland Economic Conference, now in its 27th year, is Northern Ireland’s premier economic analysis event and is unique in being the only forum that takes a high level look at the performance of, and prospects for the local economy. It is firmly established as the annual autumn summit for Northern Ireland’s economic community, including policy makers and business leaders. This year’s conference will take place at a time of unprecedented change and is the not to be missed event for all the latest information and perspectives on the local economy.
Matrix will partner with this event and our Chair, Dr Robert Grundy will present our latest foresight report Northern Ireland’s Future Hydrogen Capability and Demand.

SBRI Wales Health Programme 2022-2024: Briefing Event on New Challenges
2022-11-30 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
SBRI Health Programme 2022-2024 – An overview of the exciting new challenges launched by the SBRI Centre of Excellence.
The SBRI Centre of Excellence has recently launched three new exciting challenges. This event will give you the opportunity to hear from the Challenge Owners directly on their particular problem and put any questions that you may have to them to enable you to complete your applications.
For full details of the challenges and to apply, please click the following links:

Patient Comms Challenge
Improving Ergonomics for ENT Surgeons
Safe and Ethical Disposal of Nitrous Oxide and Entonox Medical Gases

Developing evidence capabilities to improve decision-making and policy impact
2022-12-06 12:00 - 13:30 | Online
Demands for policy advice and evidence are increasingly expected at the forefront of the UK’s national, regional and local government. More tools, resources and knowledge mobilisation activities are being geared towards supporting decision-makers to implement evidence-informed and impactful policy. Yet knowing what processes, capabilities and methodologies can be used to determine what works, when, why and how is difficult for civil servants facing mounting pressures to deliver quickly, with impact and at scale.
In partnership with the Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) programme and the Chief Scientific Adviser’s (CSA) Office at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), Nesta is excited to launch a new interactive toolkit on Engaging With Evidence – a practical resource to strengthen capabilities for evidence use and expert engagement. Through a combination of theory, case studies and interactive activities, the toolkit is designed to help decision-makers learn about what evidence and expertise can be mobilised towards the right purposes at the right time. It provides a practical, easy-to-use resource for governments, knowledge intermediaries and others interested in advancing capabilities for evidence use and expert engagement.
This event is for anyone working in local, regional or national government or those interested in developing capabilities for engaging with both evidence and evidence producers, and understanding how improved evidence literacy and expert engagement can support the development of policy to ensure outcomes are effective in generating a meaningful social impact.
Confirmed speakers:
Prof. David Halpern, BIT CEO and What Works Centre National Advisor
Sarah Chaytor, Director of Strategy & Policy, UCL Research, Innovation & Global Engagement
Prof. Alan Penn, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Dr Ine Steenmans, Associate Professor in Futures, Analysis and Policy at the University College London (UCL)
Kuranda Morgan, Evidence Lead at Nesta

Hunter Memorial Lecture - Hydrogen and its application for rail propulsion
2022-12-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
The UK railway is committed to removing diesel only fleets from the network by 2040. In railway terms, this is a pressing deadline, as new vehicles built today would easily be expected to have an economic service life of 40 years, well beyond the 2040 deadline. This means new carbon free traction systems need to be developed to deliver autonomous traction on routes without overhead electrification. Hydrogen is emerging as a strong contender to provide this traction capability. The HydroFLEX train has demonstrated its viability and is ready to enter service trails on the mainline network. This presentation will give an overview of how the technology works, its strengths and weaknesses and what types of application it is best suited for, and where you should electrify.
Speaker
Professor Stuart Hillmansen is Professor in Railway Traction Systems within the School of Engineering at the University of Birmingham. He completed a PhD in Imperial College London. His main area of research interest is in traction systems for use in railway vehicles, and modeling and measurement of energy consumption for railway systems (both AC and DC). His team have developed the 1st Hydrogen Fueled locomotive in the UK, and is currently heavily involved in the industry’s efforts to decarbonize.
This event was organised by the Midlands Power Group.

NI KTP Innovation Showcase
2023-01-12 09:00 - 14:30 | Dunadry Hotel And Gardens, 2 Islandreagh Drive, Dunadry, Northern Ireland, BT41 2HA, United Kingdom
Join us in-person to discover how the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Programme can help grow and scale your business.

The Northern Ireland KTP knowledge providers (Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, SERC, SWC, NWRC, NRC, Belfast Met, CAFRE, and Open University) are delighted to invite the business community to this insightful event.
The event will highlight the many benefits that an organisation can gain by partnering with a University or Further Education College through KTP.
KTPs are a three-way partnership between an innovative business, an academic knowledge provider, and a highly skilled graduate to deliver the business’ strategic growth plans. Projects are part-funded by Innovate UK, Invest NI and the company partner.
The KTP Programme can be applied to any business function (including management, engineering, R&D, finance, data, production etc.) across all industry sectors. This event will focus on three current themes:

Digital and Business Innovation
Net-zero and Sustainability
Advanced Manufacturing

You will hear from a variety of academic and business partners on how to accelerate business growth through KTP, and gain useful insights on how the programme could be used in your organisation.
You will have the opportunity to talk with KTP funders and Northern Ireland knowledge providers to get advice on business support mechanisms currently available from our local Universities and Colleges.

Register below to secure your place or contact Aoife Lynch for more information.
This free event is aimed at SMEs and Large companies across Northern Ireland. Early registration is encouraged.
We look forward to meeting you.

Energy Efficient Networks: New Architectures
2023-01-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Following the initial kick-off meeting, techUK and the CSA Catapult will host a series of ‘deep dive’ roundtables to explore in more detail key topics related to network energy efficiency.
Roundtable 2 will examine ‘New Architectures’ and will be co-chaired by Satellite Applications Catapult. Final agenda and speakers TBC.
We anticipate the following topics will be discussed, along with others identified at the kick-off meeting:

Self-powering infrastructure: focus on the use of renewable-energy generation at masts and other sites
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and energy reduction: the use of software in order to manage network energy needs.
Photonics and optical communications: More energy efficient photonics are cited as important in previous discussions
Semiconductors, materials, and manufacture: This would focus on how compound semiconductors and efficiencies in the manufacture of physical infrastructure can increase energy efficiency.
RAN, RF and microwave communications: How the RAN itself, not just its components, power source or network management, can become more efficient – we will also explore the potential of open and disaggregated networks in reducing energy consumption.
Energy efficient cooling: Exploring new and innovative cooling methods that aid a reduction in energy use in high-demand/high-resilience environments, such as data centres.
Metamaterials and intelligent reflected surfaces: the role of passive and active surfaces for beam forming and directional tracking to improve network efficiency.

During the deep dive roundtables, we will invite attendees to discuss UK capabilities, market potential and priorities for future investment. The roundtables will be held under Chatham House Rule.
Session chairs:

Sophie James

Programme Manager, Communications Infrastructure and Services, techUK
Find out more

Dr Andy Sellars FIET

Strategic Development Director, CSA Catapult

Idea Jam
2023-02-17 10:00 - 17:00 | The Mac, 10 Exchange Street, West, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 2NJ, United Kingdom
Event Details
Ideas. We’ve all got ‘em, rattling around in our busy, distracted heads. Perhaps you’re harbouring the next big thing … Maybe it’s always been there, but it’s hiding behind-to-do lists, bank statements and status updates. It’s finally time to tip that idea out of your head and onto the page so you can actually do something with it.
Idea Jam is a chance for creators, new and old, to clear all distractions and finally sculpt that secret, nebulous idea you’ve been chipping away at for years into one that’s ready to act on… and maybe even figure out how to take it to the next step. If you’ve never done this sort of thing before, there will be professional artists, developers and industry experts on-hand to help transfer your concept from brain to pitch.
There will be advice in the form of breakout sessions and discussions about how to pitch your idea and take it further after the day.
Matrix is a partner of this event

Jim Al-Khalili - The Joy of Science
2023-02-21 19:30 - 20:30 | Mandela Hall, 77 University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NF
Join New York Times bestselling author – and one of the UK’s top physicists – Jim Al-Khalili, as he discusses his latest book, The Joy of Science. A Distinguished Professor of Theoretical Physics, Jim’s fascinating insights into how science can help make life easier to navigate, based on eight scientific methods, might just transform how you approach your life.
Covering everything from how to handle uncertainty and doubt, to coping with the general complexities of modern living, the BBC host will show you how to think more like a scientist and learn how to adopt a more confident approach in the day-to-day.
Don’t miss out on this chance to pick up some top tips from one of Britain’s leading scientific minds.
About
Jim Al-Khalili is Distinguished Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Surrey and one of Britain’s best-known science communicators. He has written numerous books, including The World According to Physics (Princeton); Quantum: A Guide for the Perplexed; and Life on the Edge: The Coming of Age of Quantum Biology. He is a fellow of the Royal Society and lives in Southsea, England.
Matrix will partner this event

Digital Twins Where AI meets IoT
2023-02-23 18:00 - 19:30 | Ulster University Belfast, York Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT15 1ED, United Kingdom
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are enabling our world to be replicated digitally – creating Digital Twins of our cities, cars, homes and even ourselves. A Digital Twin is an exact replica of something in the physical world, with a unique aim – to help improve the real-life version.
This workshop is organised by the School of Computing, Ulster University and will introduce the emerging field of Digital Twins, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and concepts at the intersection of IoT and AI. You’ll have an opportunity to get hands-on with these technologies through a number of interactive demonstrations, covering topics such as sensor technologies, machine vision, robotics, virtual/ augmented reality, chatbots and simulation.
This event will take place in BC-03-115 and the Level 3 Atrium of the Ulster University Belfast Campus.
NB: Although registration is free, it is mandatory to obtain the visiting pass in order to access the BC building.

BelTech 2023
2023-03-08 - 2023-03-09 | Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queen's Road, Belfast, Belfast, BT3 9EP, United Kingdom
BelTech, the conference that unites technologists under one all-encompassing banner, is set to return to Belfast on 8 and 9 March 2023. A vibrant, diverse and inclusive conference, BelTech 2023 will take place at Titanic Belfast and will continue to lead the way in gathering, informing and inspiring Northern Ireland’s technology practitioners of today and of the future.
As well as showcasing the very best of the technology sector in Northern Ireland, a key aspect of the conference is celebration: of diversity, inclusiveness and difference. After nearly three years of the world staying connected through the powers of digital technology, there is more value than ever before in uniting in person to share with and learn from the sector’s range of practitioners.
Whether you have just started a new project, or have been working on the latest technological development, BelTech gives everyone the opportunity to highlight their ideas to a domestic and influential global audience. Beltech 2023 is all about breaking down barriers and empowering people and organizations to succeed anywhere, anytime. The themes and tracks we are focused on this year include:
Distributed Enterprises: Remote and hybrid working has become the new normal. From dev environments to entire organizations, more and more business is becoming cloud native. This track explores the paradigm shift .
Mesh Architecture: Mesh architecture advocates interoperability and coordination between network agnostic services. With cybersecurity and data leading the charge, what’s next?
Artificial Intelligence: AI continues to drive rapid growth across the global economy. Explore the trends and patterns that may someday change the world.
Sustainable Computing Practices: Take responsibility for ensuring your work doesn’t harm the environment or don’t just rely on the big cloud providers! Can you help save the planet through the technologies you use, your ways of working and how you code? We welcome any talk across our tracks on this theme.

Networking event: population health improvement network of clusters
2023-03-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) seeks to establish a new high profile, national interdisciplinary research network.
The network will:

explore novel ways to transform health through change at the population level across the UK
build on research by multiple clusters that address a specific challenge to progress systems interventions in communities

The success of the network will depend on coordination and synergy between clusters to drive the network ambition of improving population health and health equity.
This funding opportunity aims to:

include people who typically have not applied their expertise to improving population health before
work together with researchers already in the area to catalyse creative and innovative approaches that build on and synergise existing strengths and build new capabilities

To facilitate this UKRI have commissioned a series of virtual networking events.
These events will enable attendees to:

connect with other researchers from different disciplines and with different expertise
develop research ideas and work towards shaping the research clusters that will form the population health improvement network

Innovation Incoming
2023-04-18 18:00 - 19:15 | Online
Innovation Incoming: An expert panel on technology and the future
What do some of the UK’s most exciting innovators from the worlds of engineering research and enterprise have to say about technology and the future?
How will emerging technologies shape our lives in the year ahead, and what challenges will need to be addressed to ensure they have a positive impact on society? What era-defining technological innovations are on the horizon, and what is just hype?
Join RAEng as they attempt to answer these questions and more in a hybrid panel discussion chaired by The Times’ Technology Business Editor Katie Prescott. Guests will hear expert predictions about the impact of engineering and technology on our future, and will also have an opportunity to put questions to our panellists.

The Compass
2024-02-15 17:00 - 2024-02-17 21:00 | 2 Royal Avenue, 2 Royal Avenue, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 1DA, United Kingdom
Matrix is delighted to be sponsoring the launch of the 10th annual NI Sciencefest
“Prepare for spellbinding projections, bringing to life how we navigate knowledge, as well as the epic stories of our own researchers, and the science that shapes the world around us.”

Lieven Scheire - A.I.
2024-02-17 20:00 - 21:30 | The Black Box, 18-22 Hill Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 2LA, United Kingdom
In this show, Lieven Scheire will introduce you to this new superhero of technology in an entertaining and accessible way. You’ll get a glimpse of how it all works, what it can already do and what it will be capable of in the future. It’s a first encounter with something that might soon become your new friend, butler, advisor, psychologist, personal trainer or guardian angel: Artificial Intelligence.

Famelab - Northern Ireland Final
2024-02-21 19:00 - 22:00 | Ulster Sports Club, 96-98 High Street, Belfast, BT1 2BG, United Kingdom
Experience the thrilling showcase of scientific talent and communication at FameLab Northern Ireland’s live final, featuring ten finalists competing with charm, scientific expertise, and innovation in a three-minute window.
The format of FameLab is deceptively simple; on the competition stage, participants are given just three minutes to share their scientific research or work with a general audience, armed with just simple props. This live event takes place in front of a panel of expert judges, as entrants compete for the title of the UK’s best science communicator.

What’s the blooming problem with Lough Neagh?
2024-02-22 19:30 - 21:00 | Seamus Heaney HomePlace, 45 Main Street, Bellaghy, Magherafelt, BT45 8HT, United Kingdom
Lough Neagh, a vital freshwater resource, is facing an unprecedented challenge. To address this critical environmental concern, we have brought together scientists and local professionals who will share their knowledge, research findings, and potential solutions, and who will delve into the intricate science behind the alarming proliferation of blue-green algae in one of Northern Ireland’s most significant water bodies.
Take this chance to gain a deeper understanding of the science behind the Lough Neagh blue-green algae crisis. Together, we can explore solutions and work towards safeguarding this precious natural resource.
