Matrix

Channelling the Power and Potential of Space Data II
2022-03-21 11:00 - 12:30 (Europe/London) | Online
Join Digital Catapult Northern Ireland, NI Space Office and Blue Inspiration to hear about a series of sector led challenges where the use of space data and application of advanced digital technologies may provide innovative solutions.
Key stakeholders across public bodies have identified potential use cases where space data can be used and innovation can be applied to address challenge areas. The purpose is to present opportunities for SME’s to work alongside government and arm’s length bodies in helping realise the benefits of accessing and utilising space data and innovation from analytics and technologies like AI/ML.
In this information session Digital Catapult will present current challenges from across government where access to space data, data analytics and the application of AI/ML can provide innovative solutions. These challenges will include ways to streamline resource intensive tasks, efficiencies and cost savings, contribute to carbon net zero targets, and use data analytics and AI/ML to innovate on current practice.
Attendees will have:

The opportunity to connect with public sector challenge owners
Opportunity to identify ways in which your organisation may be able to offer expertise and solutions
To hear ways in which opportunities may be supported through access to R&D funds and other opportunities

Who should attend:

Enterprises who have experience of using Space and Satellite data in developing solutions
Enterprises interested in or currently working in analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, drone technology etc
Enterprises with experience in computer vision problems, analysing optical (visible spectrum) pictures, Infra-Red, LIDAR or RADAR
Enterprises with experience of applying innovation and technology to solve civil and public challenges

Featuring challenges that include:

Mapping urban risk areas e.g. underground mine shafts
Mapping coastal areas to identify seaweed for aquaculture
Grassland/Silage yield and quality mapping
Satellite Data for land use: agriculture, habitat mapping, planning etc.

Innovative Digital Technologies in Production Systems
2022-03-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Integrated digital production management systems within a business can deliver control and optimisation of manufacturing, product lifecycle and resource management processes. The main systems are SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), which controls the machines and equipment and MES (Manufacturing Execution System) which controls the activities on the factory floor both within and between each operation.

Northern Ireland FinTech Symposium
2022-03-23 10:00 - 14:00 | The Europa Hotel, Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7AP, United Kingdom
The Northern Ireland FinTech Symposium 2022 will unite FinTech leaders from across the UK in Belfast to celebrate our world-class sector.

EVENT DETAILS

10am – 2pm
SESSIONS TO INCLUDE…

ADDRESS, MINISTER OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

Conor Burns MP, Northern Ireland Office

NORTHERN IRELAND’S PLACE IN UK FINTECH

Peter Cunnane, Director of International & National Initiatives, Innovate Finance

UPDATE ON THE NI FINTECH ECOSYSTEM

FinTech NI Association

SPOTLIGHT ON REGIONAL FINTECH CLUSTERS

Nicola Anderson, CEO, FinTech Scotland
Joe Roche, Engagement Manager, FinTech North
Hilary Smyth-Allen, Executive Lead, SuperTech West Midlands

WHY NORTHERN IRELAND?

Karen Bradbury, Financial Services Sector Lead, Invest NI

SEED TO SERIES A: NAVIGATING INVESTMENT IN FINTECH

Ryan McAnlis, Investment Director, Techstart Ventures

THE GSIRT PROPOSAL – ACCELERATING NORTHERN IRELAND

Steve Orr, CEO, Catalyst

PANEL DISCUSSION: NORTHERN IRELAND’S FINTECH OPPORTUNITY

Roisin Finnegan, Head of Ventures, Deloitte NI
Carol Rossborough, Co-Founder, ESTHER
Chris Jessup, Finance Partner, A&L Goodbody
Daniel Broby, Professor in Financial Technology, Ulster University

Rebuilding the UK Electricity Grid
2022-03-23 18:00 - 21:30 | Online
Reaching Net Zero emissions requires a huge increase in electricity. As we move to electric vehicles, heat pumps for domestic heating, and power generation from renewable sources, what are the implications for the UK electricity grid and the way it is structured? In this event, The Foundation for Science and Technology will explore how the grid needs to change and adapt to meet a decarbonising society.
Speakers at this event include Nick Winser CBE FREng – Chairman, Energy Systems Catapult, Dr Cathy McClay OBE – Trading and Optimisation Director, Sembcorp Energy UK and Professor Keith Bell – Scottish Power Professor of Smart Grids, University of Strathclyde.

Circular Economy community engagement workshops
2022-03-24 08:00 - 2022-03-29 17:00 | Online
EPSRC, part of UKRI, will be holding two workshops in March 2022 with the aim of exploring the role of engineering and physical sciences (EPS) research in achieving a transition to a circular economy. To maximise engagement with all stakeholders who are interested in attending, they will be running the same workshop twice, on different working days. The workshops will consist of:

Keynote talks from community leaders and EPSRC.
Facilitated discussion sessions around circularity and circular economy research across the engineering and physical sciences.
Networking opportunities.

It is anticipated this event will be of interest to researchers working in areas directly supporting the transition to a circular economy as well as those who have an interest in considering circularity in their own research in other areas. A background in circular economy research is not a pre-requisite and applications are actively encouraged from those new to the area or only just beginning to consider how to embed circularity in their research.
Colleagues from industry and the third sector are also encouraged to apply in order to foster relationships between industrial needs and fundamental science research, as well as supporting EPSRC to ensure non-academic drivers are reflected in future priorities and scoping activities.
Although this is primarily an EPSRC event this is an inherently interdisciplinary area of research. Applications from those not traditionally in EPSRC remit but currently or hoping to collaborate with those who are to deliver a circular future and/or embed circularity in EPS research and innovation are also encouraged.
Please note there is no funding associated with this activity.
Objectives
The overarching objectives of the workshops are as follows:
Increase the awareness and understanding of the role of EPS research in delivering a transition to a circular economy.

Increase the awareness and understanding of how to embed circularity in EPS research.
Encourage interaction between a wide range of stakeholders and partners with expertise or interest in the circular economy.
Identify research challenges and opportunities that could be developed as future priorities and develop understanding of the support needed to ensure research in the area delivers maximum impact.
Increase the understanding of current opportunities (including funding) which can be provided by EPSRC/UKRI for circular economy research.

To apply, please submit an Expression of Interest following the instructions in the call document linked below. Expressions of Interest will open on Wednesday 5th January and will close at 16:00 on Tuesday 15th February.
All Expressions of Interest will be assessed by an EPSRC internal panel and in the event of oversubscription an appropriate number of participants will be selected to attend. Successful applicants will be notified by Tuesday 1st March.

Farm to Fork 2020 Conference
2022-04-01 15:33 | Northern Ireland
The Farm to Fork 2020 Conference – Building sustainable food systems together, will take place virtually on 15 and 16 October 2020 (World Food Day) and is the first in what will be an annual gathering of European stakeholders interested in helping to shape the EU’s path towards sustainable food systems.
The conference is hosted by the European Commissioner for Health & Food Safety, Ms. Stella Kyriakides, and the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Janusz Wojciechowski. The opening address of the Conference will be given by the European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans.
Stakeholders across the food value chain, public authorities, international and civil society organisations, as well as other citizens and the interested public are invited to join the debate and contribute to the implementation of the recently adopted Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system. The event will also provide a forum for discussion on the challenges and opportunities linked to the transition to sustainable food systems, as well as on possible further areas of intervention.
Partner Events
The European Commission is organising a series of partner events concerning actions foreseen in the Farm to Fork Strategy. For a calendar of these events, please click here.
Network with other participants and speakers in a 1:1 meeting
Participants can connect through the platform of the conference to fellow attendees in one-to-one discussions on 15 and 16 October, from 12:30 to 18:00. Speakers will also be available for 1:1 meetings on 15 October from 12:30 to 18:00.
Bookings can be made online from 1 October. Once registered, please go on the “Participants” page to find someone you’re interested in meeting and request a timeslot. Your meeting will only be confirmed if the other participant approves it.
Post on the Marketplace
Through the marketplace, participants can list offers and request items:

Project Cooperation – Add a cooperation wish if you are looking for a cooperation partner for your project
Investment Opportunity – If you are seeking investment, create an Investment Opportunity
Expertise – Describe your kind of expertise & know-how
Request – Create a request for anything specific you are looking for in relation with the event theme

HyDeploy – Introducing hydrogen into the UK gas grid
2022-04-05 19:00 - 20:15 | Online
Deploying hydrogen to the point of use will be key if the UK is to make the transition from fossil fuels to greener energies. Can the UK’s existing natural gas grid provide the framework for bringing clean hydrogen to homes and businesses?
Featuring guest speaker Tommy Isaac of Progressive Enery Ltd, learn about the key outcomes and findings of the UK’s first live trial of hydrogen blending into a gas grid, which took place at Keele University between October 2019 – March 2021. Alongside this, a broader overview of the current status of the HyDeploy project will be provided; demonstrating how this ground breaking project fits into the UK’s Net-Zero strategy in kickstarting the hydrogen conversion journey.

BelTech 2022
2022-04-07 09:00 - 18:00 | Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queen's Road, Belfast, Belfast, BT3 9EP, United Kingdom
BelTech 2022 will take place on April 7th in 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.
A vibrant, timely and vital hybrid tech conference for practitioners which will reboot the business tech sector, showcase NI tech business resilience to domestic and global audience and lead on the development of a new Cloud Native economy.
BelTech will bring together local software practitioners and entrepreneurs online to learn about and discuss the latest advances
in Software Engineering. Giving technology and business leaders a forum to connect and exchange views with peers locally and globally, BelTech also celebrates achievement in NI tech, whilst engaging and inspiring the next generation of professionals.
This year’s event focuses on Software Delivery – the process of delivering technology to market and the tracks and themes are:

Going Live With Technology: These sessions will discuss the challenges of making it to market, what it means to be production ready, the importance of multi-disciplinary teams, Evolutionary Architecture and LiveOps.
What’s Next, New and Changing the Industry: These sessions will discuss emerging technology markets that present new tools. opportunities and improvements for business. Blockchain, Web3, AI, and Cyber Security. The maturity of offerings and potential for growth in these markets.

Women in Tech Awards
2022-04-08 18:30 - 23:59 | The Europa Hotel, Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7AP, United Kingdom
The inaugural Women in Tech Awards will recognise and celebrate women who innovate, challenge and embrace technology, and will showcase inspirational individuals who have achieved great success within the sector.

These awards are hugely important and promote a gender balanced workforce across the tech sector in Northern Ireland. We want to support and acknowledge women in tech by highlighting and recognising great achievements by women in tech today.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Europa Hotel, Belfast on Friday 8th April 2022 as a prestigious formal black-tie event with approximately 300 guests in attendance. The drinks reception will begin from 6.30pm and call to dinner will be 7.15pm. The event will be hosted by former BBC Broadcaster Sarah Travers and will feature an array of entertainment along with the all-important awards presentation after dinner.

Engineering for Carbon Zero 2022 - A Global PhD Conference
2022-04-12 - 2022-04-14 | Online
The UK-China Consortium of Engineering Education & Research (UCEER), in which Queen’s University Belfast is the leading UK institution, is holding the first Global PhD Conference on ‘Engineering for Carbon Zero’ (UCEER22-ECZ) online in April 2022. The conference is jointly organised by PhD students from Queen’s University Belfast and Tianjin University, China. PhD students from both institutions are the main organisers for this conference and PhD students or Masters students from around the world are invited to attend and present their latest research.
A large amount of carbon emissions and the resulting greenhouse effect are believed to be closely related to extreme weather and atmospheric environment.
Since the second industrial revolution, the extensive use of fossil energy has led to a sharp increase in CO2 in the atmosphere. With the holding of the International Climate Conference and the recognition of this topic by the international community, reducing carbon emissions and controlling global warming has become an important topic in the 21st century. Many countries have pledged to achieve carbon neutrality, or carbon zero, by the middle of the 21st century in order to cope with the intensifying climate change. There are a large number of research and technical challenges that need to be solved urgently, including the use of sustainable energy, carbon capture, carbon utilization, carbon storage and so on.

How AI is reshaping Healthcare
2022-04-12 09:00 - 10:15 | Online
During the pandemic healthcare technologies have proved a lifeline for many, with digital services seeing a surge in uptake as people’s access to care changed immeasurably.
One such technology which is being used across disciplines is Artificial Intelligence. From surgical robotics to improving cancer diagnosis, we are already starting to see the potential with which AI can help us improve efficiency and ultimately improve outcomes for patients.
Following on from the publication of the digital health report on 15th March, this webinar will put a spotlight on Artificial Intelligence in particular and look at how effective leverage of the technology will reshape healthcare.
The expert panellists will share case studies and example of best practice, whilst also looking at some of the challenges that face AI implementation in healthcare systems, and how these can be mitigated to ensure quality of care is maintained.
If you are a Healthcare Professional, Healthcare Decision Maker, Government & Policy Maker, Industry Member or generally interested in this subject matter, join this free webinar.

Masterclass: Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
2022-04-13 08:30 - 12:00 | Online
Discover the potential of AI/ML to change the way your business operates.

About this event

Overview:
Artificial intelligence is a technology that enables a machine to simulate human behavior. Machine learning is a subset of AI which allows a machine to automatically learn from past data without programming explicitly. The goal of AI is to make a smart computer system like humans to solve complex problems.
Why attend:

Find out what AI/ML are
Learn how their unique characteristics address many business issues
Discover AI/ML applications for businesses across sectors – manufacturing, logistics & fleet management, professional services, retail, hospitality, agriculture, construction & civil engineering – and more!

Through use cases and success stories from various industries we’ll share ideas that are accessible, practical, usable, useful and affordable.
Meet the trainer:
Phil Weir runs Flax & Teal, a web and data science consultancy, and is part of Avata Industries, a collaborative network of Industry 4.0 experts focused on delivering digital transformation. Phil is passionate about Open Source technology – software that is more reliable, more flexible, and has more longevity than its proprietary peers because it is developed by communities rather than a single company. He is also a board member of OpenUK (promotes businesses, projects and people, who use and develop open source software, open hardware and open data).

CASE Green innovation challenge fund Awareness event
2022-04-14 14:00 - 16:00 | NIACE Centre, 5 Airport Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT3 9EF, United Kingdom
CASE green innovation challenge fund – awareness event.

The Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) is an industry led, collaborative, sustainable energy research centre hosted at Queen’s University Belfast, partnering with Ulster University and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).
CASE are pleased to announce that we have been selected to manage the Green Innovation Challenge Fund (GICF) on behalf of the Department for the Economy NI. This new £4.5 million award will allow us to discover the Path to Net Zero Energy as outlined in the NI Energy Strategy 2021.
CASE is eager to extend this funding opportunity to new industrial, manufacturing and service related industries and is partnering with NIACE to facilitate an information session on the 14 April at 2 -4pm at their Centre on Airport Road. At this event you will hear what the aims of the funding are, what areas of research are eligible and there will be an opportunity to meet academics to discuss potential partnerships to go forward with an application
For more information see the competition details here.

Farming Innovation Programme - Large R&D Partnership Projects
2022-04-20 09:00 - 11:00 | Online
This event is for businesses, research organisations, farmers, growers and foresters who want to apply for funding to develop an idea for a new farming product or service.

During this event, you will find out about a new funding competition you could apply for: Large R&D Partnership Projects.
You need to be a business registered in the UK to lead a project. Research organisations and other businesses, including farmers, growers and foresters, can collaborate as part of the project team.
Who is this funding for?

Large scale research, development and demonstration of solutions that will improve farming methods and help the environment in England
Projects led by a UK registered business
Collaborative projects with at least one SME and one research organisation
Projects with costs between £3 million and £5 million

Get help to find a partner to apply with
For this funding, you will need to apply as a team of at least one UK organisation and one research organisation. We’re here to help you make connections with the right people and increase your chances of success.
During the event, you will meet organisations and individuals you could collaborate with.
Why attend?

Find out more about the scope and eligibility criteria directly from the funders
Learn about the application process
Meet other businesses to find potential partners

Participants who register to attend this event are expected to be willing to share details of their project ideas at the event with other delegates, to encourage partnering and collaboration.
Join our Transforming Food Production Consortia Building Group on LinkedIn.
The funding comes from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in partnership with UKRI.

Agenda

10:00 – Briefing Event
12:45 – Consortia Building Session

The European Green Deal and the UK
2022-04-25 08:00 - 12:00 | Online
The European Green Deal and the UK – impact, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration on policy, research, trade, sector decarbonisation, and international development
This conference will examine the European Green Deal and the key priorities for achieving the aim for Europe to be the first climate-neutral continent.
A key focus will be the opportunities and implications for stakeholders in the UK and internationally, including in the areas of business and research collaboration, trade and policy coordination, as well as possible challenges that lie ahead.
Included are keynote sessions with João Vale de Almeida, Ambassador of the European Union to the United Kingdom; Jytte Guteland MEP, Lead Climate Negotiator, European Parliament and Jacquelyn MacLennan, Partner, White & Case – as well as contributions from AECOM; Aldersgate Group; the Connected Places Catapult; the European Space Agency; Melius Homes; National Grid; NFU Scotland; University of York; and Visa Europe.
The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend from BEIS; the CCC; DIT; the FCDO; Defra; Department for the Economy, NI; DfT; DAERA, NI; the Environment Agency, NI; the DWI; NAO; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government – as well as parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament.

Engineering Challenge in partnership with The Amp Growth Incubator & NWRC
2022-04-26 08:30 - 2022-04-28 13:30 | The AMP Growth Incubator, 11 Ebrington Street, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT47 6FA, United Kingdom
NI Engineering Challenge Event: Explore the first steps of your startup journey in 3 days with £500 prize for the winning pitches.

3 day event for FE engineering and technology students /graduates/experienced engineers and technicians to explore new engineering products or processes with market potential.
Day One
• Brainstorming Brunch
• Introduction to Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub
• Ideation and concept development – helping each applicant with an idea with market need identified
• “The Challenge”
• Developing commercial innovation
• Hear from entrepreneurs who have walked the walk
• Engineering and technology experts to help guide on the ‘challenge’
Day Two
• Story-boarding, wire-framing, product sketch, developing the route to market with cost strategy, market mapping, leading to an outline business plan
• ‘Drop in Clinics’ with experts available online and in person for guidance and problem solving
Day Three
• 3-5min pitch to panel from participants (individuals or teams)
• Prize winners announced and networking event
• Closing talk by RAENG on application process for its Regional Talent Engine programme (£20k support for successful applicants, with coaching and mentoring over 4-6 months).

Next steps for science and technology in UK agriculture - WFNF policy conference
2022-04-26 09:00 - 13:00 | Online
This conference will examine the priorities for developing agricultural science and technology in the UK.
Expect discussion to focus on how to achieve the potential of innovation to meet supply chain and climate challenges, and the way forward for support from policy and regulation.
The conference takes place in the context of the Agricultural Transition Plan 2021 to 2024, as well as the ongoing implementation of the Government’s Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS), and the Agriculture Act coming into force.
The agenda is structured to bring out latest thinking on:

Support – developing funding opportunities that effectively support innovation, and the role of the Farming Innovation Programme in fostering science and technology advancements
Delivery – realising the potential of science and technology across the supply chain:

key challenges and opportunities
driving productivity alongside sustainability
the principle of public money for public goods
supporting stakeholder engagement and take-up

Environmental Land Management Schemes – ensuring innovation is supported in the design and delivery of ELMs
The UK’s global presence – positioning in the international regulatory and policy landscape, opportunities for international collaboration, and implications for trade deals
GMO crops and genetic editing – the outlook for the UK following the Government’s response to its consultation on genetic technologies regulation – with discussion on:

the potential for building resilience in the face of market, climate, and resource pressures on global food systems
priorities for the safety and regulatory assessments of cutting-edge technologies
evidence and data driven decision making

8.30
Registration

9.00
Chair’s opening remarks
Senior Parliamentarian

9.05
Supporting the role of science and technology in UK agriculture, and coordination with the wider policy landscape
Tim Morden, Deputy Director, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Questions and comments from the floor

9.35
Break

9.40
Funding for agritech – identifying opportunities, priorities for research, investment sources, and access to finance

Senior representative, funding

9.50
Driving forward innovation – improving productivity and sustainability, maximising the potential of data and emerging technology, key challenges and opportunities, and supporting stakeholder engagement and take-up
Professor Richard Tiffin, Chief Scientific Officer, Agrimetrics; and Director, Centre for Food Security, University of Reading
Dr Helen Ferrier, Chief Science & Regulatory Affairs Adviser, National Farmers’ Union
Dustin Benton, Policy Director, Green Alliance
Dave Bench, Chief Executive, Crop Protection Association
Senior representative, technology

Questions and comments from the floor

10.40
Chair’s closing remarks
Senior Parliamentarian

10.45
Break

10.50
Chair’s opening remarks
Senior Parliamentarian

10.55
Science and technology in a global context – latest developments, the international regulatory landscape, and future trade agreements
Senior representative, international

Senior representative, trade

Questions and comments from the floor

11.30
Key issues for genetic editing and the future outlook for GMO crops in the UK
Jon Williams, Public and Governmental Affairs Manager – Agricultural Solutions, UK and Ireland, BASF
Senior representative, environment
Senior representative, consumers
Senior representative, legal

Senior representative, agriculture

Questions and comments from the floor

12.20
Break

12.25
Regulatory priorities for science and technology in the food system
Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Adviser, Food Standards Agency; and Professor of Infectious Disease, University of Birmingham
Questions and comments from the floor

12.55
Chair’s and Westminster Food & Nutrition closing remarks
Senior Parliamentarian
Michael Ryan, Deputy Editor, Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum

Net Zero Hydrogen Fund Briefing Event
2022-04-26 09:30 - 11:30 | Online
Innovate UK and Innovate UK KTN will be hosting an online competition briefing webinar on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on the 26th April 2022 to share details of strands 1 and 2 of the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF). The aim of the NZHF is to support the commercial deployment of new low carbon hydrogen production projects during the 2020s, ensuring the UK has a diverse and secure decarbonised energy system fit for meeting our increased ambition of up to 10GW low carbon hydrogen production by 2030.
This event is to brief potential applicants on strands 1 and 2 of the NZHF, which cover development expenditure (DEVEX) and capital expenditure (CAPEX) support.

Circular Economy Innovation Network Launch Event
2022-04-26 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
The Circular Economy Innovation Network aims to create stronger, more collaborative, and resilient industries working together to achieve net zero through circular innovation.
By building new sector communities, focussed on circular design, circular business models, and circular recovery KTN are empowering industry members to come together for the first time to co-create a shared pathway for impact in achieving net zero through circular innovation.
They are launching three new challenge communities (wool, aluminium, and chemicals), that will collaborate to co-create a Circular Innovation Action Plan for their sector. This action plan will identify the key sectoral barriers to net zero and how the circular economy can be used as a framework to overcome these barriers.
As part of this process, communities will agree on two challenges they want to tackle together. Using their Innovation Exchange platform, KTN will seek to find potential solutions and broker new relationships between established industry and innovators.
KTN are building the Circular Economy Innovation Network to bring together stakeholders across the wool, aluminium, and chemicals value chain to explore how innovation can enhance the role of wool, aluminium, and chemicals in the UK. Here they begin to explore the challenges facing the three industries in the UK and consider where innovation could have a role to play in supporting producers, processors and end users.
They will be holding the first launch event online on 26th April 2022, 11:00 – 12:30, featuring three breakout rooms on the 3 sectors, with Q&A.
Join KTN at this introductory event on the 26th April at 11am to find out how you can get involved in exploring:

How we could use wool, aluminium and chemicals in novel ways to benefit the sector
Ways we could use resources more efficiently across the value chain

This event is part of the Circular Innovation Network, which looks at alternatives to using high carbon materials to support UK industries in reaching net zero. To find out more please click here

UK-China Research Collaboration
2022-04-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
How can, and how should, the UK collaborate with China on R&D? Can research collaboration contribute to wider diplomacy between the two countries, or to tackling global issues such as climate change? When might we not want to collaborate with China on R&D, and how do we make those decisions? At this Foundation for Science and Technology event,these issues will be discussed as explore UK-China R&D collaboration is explored.

Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland 2022
2022-04-28 08:00 - 17:00 | The Leopardstown Pavilion at Leopardstown Racecourse, Leopardstown Racecourse, Foxrock, Dublin, D18 C9V6, Ireland
Renaissance, Ireland’s leading IT security distributor, is delighted to announce the return of Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland 2022!

Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland 2022
Following a successful virtual event in 2020, we are excited to announce Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland returns as a physical event on Thursday 28th April 2022 at The Leopardstown Pavilion in Dublin! The Leopardstown Pavilion is our biggest event venue yet, with excellent links to the motorway, public transport, and hospitality nearby. Paul C Dwyer has been confirmed as this year’s keynote speaker. Paul C Dwyer is the president of the ICTTF International Cyber Threat Task Force and is recognised as one of the world’s foremost experts on cyber security, risk and privacy.
Renaissance launched Cyber Expo Ireland in 2017 to make it easier for Irish business leaders, by bringing the members of the Cyber Ecosystem together under one roof – Vendors, Value Added Resellers (VARs), Security Experts, and End Users. Five years on and the brand has gone from strength to strength.
We believe that CyberConIreland complements the Cyber Expo perfectly, adding practical depth for those who need it. Our expert breakout sessions detail the ‘How of Cyber Security’ as this industry is changing at such a phenomenal rate!
There will be real case studies and live expert panel discussions across 8 dedicated business streams, as well as the interactive Capture the Flag workshop with ICT Skillnet and a Masterclass in Digital Transformation with Prof. Niall McKeown.
Always On Computing
Application Security
Business Email Compromise
Identity & Rights Management
Compliance & Third Party Risk Management
Operational Technology (OT) Cybersecurity
Securing a Microsoft Environment
Cyber in Healthcare – Status and Focus
Digital Transformation Masterclass
ICT Skillnet Capture the Flag Workshop
Vendors attending include – Altaro/Hornet Security, Armis, Ascertia, Awingu, Barracuda, Bitdefender, Bluedog, BullWall, Censornet, Checkmarx, Clearcrypt, CyGlass, Entrust, iBoss, Immersive Labs, Octiga, Progress Kemp, Panorays, Rackmount IT, Redsift, Systancia, Usecure, WatchGuard, Webroot, and Zyxel Networks.
Full list of VARs attending – Actionpoint, Burning Tree, Cara, DNA IT, Futurerange, ICT Skillnet, ITMS, Integrity360, Intuity, InspiritVision, Leaf, National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), NSSL, Oleson, RITS, Smarttech, Stryve, Unitec, Unity, VM group.
Who Should Attend:
Our Expo will be open to IT Trade and End Users in the Irish market. There will be a heavy focus to attract value-added partners to the Expo, while we will also be keen to attract SMB and Corporate Users to demonstrate how they can apply Data Security and Compliance solutions within their organisations to develop and deliver their GDPR and other regulatory requirements. Don’t miss out, register today to join our Cyber Security Ecosystem!

Science for Everyone
2022-04-28 15:30 - 18:30 | North West Regional College, Strand Road, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT48 7AL, United Kingdom
NWRC will host two showcases at the college’s Strand Road Campus on April 28 focusing on Science . Registration at the Tower Foyer

Event 1
SCIENCE FOR GROWN UPS (3.30 – 5 p.m.)
Life and health sciences has been identified as one of Northern Ireland’s priority skill areas, with demand for science graduates set to increase over the next 10 years. This event aims to provide a hands-on, fun and practical science activities as a taster of what a career in science might be like. Have a chance to develop your skills in observing, measuring, recording and discussing results from experiments in an enjoyable and interactive way – and experience what a day in the life of a science student would be!
This event (FOR 18+) would be particularly suited to those wishing to return to education (with or without formal qualifications) and those wishing to explore science as an alternative career pathway. For further details please contact Ms Francine Moran, Francine.moran@nwrc.ac.uk
Event 2
SCIENCE & ALLIED PROFESSIONS CAREERS SHOWCASE (5- 7 p.m. )
Life and health sciences has been identified as one of Northern Ireland’s priority skill areas, with demand for science graduates set to increase over the next 10 years. Come and explore what careers are on offer following a Level 3 qualification in Science. You will have a chance to hear from some professionals (including past students) and representatives from local employers will be there to talk about their career and the educational pathway they followed.
There will also be an exhibition running alongside our series of talks, where you will have the opportunity to learn about courses on offer within North West Regional College and other educational institutions, as well as local employers. Careers advisors and student support staff will also be on hand to provide advice and information on your next steps towards a career in science.

Location for Startups: Why does it matter?
2022-05-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
Beyond a great idea, startups need a network and access to resources that will help launch their big idea and scale their growth. Proximity to these resources makes location a vital choice to take a creative spark and successfully bring it to market.
Calgary, Canada is a top tech city in North America with a burgeoning innovation ecosystem and a community of support for startups across diverse sectors: cleantech, agtech, fintech, transportation, life sciences, the creative industries – and more.
This webinar will focus on how Calgary has become a top tech city in North America and a burgeoning innovation ecosystem that has attracted multinational accelerators and catalysts Plug and Play, SVG Ventures | THRIVE and Endeavor who will share the advantages of being part of a city that:

Creates a community of support for entrepreneurs and startups across diverse sectors
Hosts a wide range of business supports, accelerators and incubators for companies at all stages of growth
Is opportunity-rich with bright minds set on soaring in tech and solving global challenges
Supports entrepreneurs and start-ups by investing in them, through funds, connection, market access, and programming

CYBERUK 2022
2022-05-10 09:00 - 2022-05-11 18:00 | ICC Wales, The Coldra, Catsash Rd, Caerleon, Newport, Wales, NP18 1HQ, United Kingdom
UK government’s flagship cyber security event, CYBERUK 2022, will take place in Newport, Wales across two days on 10-11 May 2022.
Hosted by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the event will offer participants unrivalled access to keynote addresses and panel sessions featuring international experts and thought leaders in cyber security.
Building on the success of last year’s virtual event, keynote speeches will also be streamed on the CYBERUK YouTube channel in order to maximise accessibility for all.
This year’s conference will bring together more than 1,500 delegates to discuss measures to boost national cyber resilience, including those put in place by the UK government. It will provide a key opportunity for the whole cyber security community to reconnect, discuss business needs and review the changing threat landscape.
There are four ticket types available:

UK Public Sector which are free of charge
Overseas Public Sector which are £749 + VAT
Private Sector which are £999 + VAT
Third Sector which are £999 + VAT

You can also view the conference online by clicking here

Manufacturing NI - Anchor High Leadership Summit
2022-05-12 08:45 - 17:30 | Galgorm Hotel, 136 Fenaghy Road, Ballymena, BT42 1EA
An event for manufacturing leaders to learn, network and connect
Hearing from pioneering leaders, this leadership summit will provide you with the tools to be able to put in place the exact placements and structure of your anchors within your business, overcoming obstacles and orientating your business towards the summit. The direction the route travels depends on the previous pitch and the next pitch and so developing a culture of leaders and an empowered workforce will be key along the way.
The Anchor High Summit will help equip leaders from manufacturing with the tools and mindset to anchor high. Hearing from pioneering leaders with experience of industry and beyond, attendees will be challenged, inspired and have their mindset transformed through a series of hands on workshops, insightful keynotes and reflective sessions.

London Tech Week
2022-05-13 - 2022-05-17 | Northern Ireland
Amplifying the power, resilience and speed of innovation
The UK’s tech flagship event will return on 13-17 June bringing 20,000+ global government and corporate leaders, inspirational start-up founders, senior investors and tech rising stars together to discuss the power of technology for societies.
Held in one of the world’s most vibrant tech hub, the week-long festival will focus on the following core topics:

exploring the next gen of tech innovation
impactful innovation at scale
building a thriving tech industry

Secure Connected Intelligence Summit 2022
2022-05-17 - 2022-05-19 | ECIT, Near Catalyst Inc, Queens Road, Queen's Island, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT3 9DT, United Kingdom
Join ECIT’s 11th Annual Summit event on 17th – 19th May 2022.
This unique event brings together the international research community alongside industry leaders, government policy makers and start-ups and SMEs from around the world to explore grand challenges and multi-disciplinary research in the cybersecurity, wireless, AI industries, agri-food and digital health industries. This will be a hybrid event with the option to join remotely.
The researchers, engineers, commercial and business support team at ECIT work alongside industry, government and other leading academic institutions within Queen’s University and indeed other universities to develop truly cutting edge solutions under the Secure Connected Intelligence theme to tackle the greatest challenges of tomorrow.
This event will be especially exciting as it will be the beginning of ECIT’s evolution to a Global Innovation Institute as part of the Belfast Region City Deal.

Increasing Interdisciplinarity in UK R&D (online)
2022-05-18 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
A discussion event on interdisciplinarity in UK R&D

There has been an increasing focus on interdisciplinary research in recent years, and many current key policy challenges (including climate change, post-covid recovery, economic security, migration, and healthcare) need evidence from interdisciplinary research. As the science budget increases over the coming years, and UKRI announce their allocations, what do we need to do to increase interdisciplinary research in the UK?
Speakers:

Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser DBE FRS, Chief Executive, UKRI
Professor Rachel Gooberman-Hill, Institute Director, Elizabeth Blackwell Institute, University of Bristol
Professor David Soskice FBA, Professor of Political Science and Economics, London School of Economics

Chaired by Rt Hon Lord Willetts FRS

Adopting AI in Manufacturing: How to Access KTP Funding to Close Your Knowledge Gap
2022-05-19 10:00 - 16:00 | Online
Manufacturing businesses are invited to join these interactive roundtables to explore the uses of AI within their operations, and learn how to access KTP funding to address their challenges.
Despite the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit, the UK manufacturing sector showed strong growth in 2021; however, in the light of the current geopolitical situation, supply chains have been further disrupted triggering input-cost inflation. Furthermore, maintaining a skilled workforce still represents a challenge.
Continued growth and productivity can be enabled – in part – by focusing on technology adoption and automation, which in turn will drive the required upskilling and workforce productivity the sector needs, while cutting costs. In order to achieve this, InnovateUK KTN are keen to support strategic initiatives around the adoption of AI, especially for SMEs and businesses that have been affected by the current global challenges.
The AI team at Innovate UK KTN, in collaboration with the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme and the Manufacturing Made Smarter Innovation Network will deliver two virtual interactive sessions where manufacturing businesses from all sectors will have the opportunity to explore the uses of Artificial Intelligence within their operations.
During these sessions, we will also help identify projects that can be funded through the KTP programme – an open competition which offers support rates between 50-75% of the eligible project costs, that links forward thinking businesses with the UK’s world class knowledge bases to deliver innovation projects. During the webinars, attendees will get the chance to learn further details about the programme, with dedicated KTP Advisers available to facilitate the discussions and help shape potential projects and consortiums.

GLOBAL CONVERSATION: The Ethics & Impacts of AI and Advanced Technology
2022-05-19 14:00 - 19:00 | Northern Ireland
A Global Conversation on the Ethic Risks and Social Impacts of Technology in the Financial Sector

How do we ensure globally inclusive development in the use of technology in the financial sector? How do we avoid the reproduction and exacerbation of inequalities? How do we ensure equal access to technology, knowledge, governance, and financial services?
The conversation is situated within the global Responsible Digital Leadership project launched from the Center for Human Rights and International Justice at Stanford University in March 2021. During the past year over 50 Ph.D. and advanced level scholars from over 25 countries collaborated with financial industry leaders to perform a transdisciplinary study of ethical risks & dilemmas associated with technology use in the financial sector.
PROGRAM THEMES
6.00AM PT/3.00PM CET/5.00PM EAT/7:30PM IST/10.00PM HKT
Governance and Ethics of Digital Technology Across – A Global Discussion
Technology and the Future of the Financial Sector
7.00AM PT
Impacts of Technology in the Financial Sector
8.00AM PT
Solutions Across Sectors: Industry, Intergovernmental Organizations, and Academia
9.00AM PT
Research Based Insights on the Challenges and Opportunities of Technology
10AM PT
Learning Across Domains
New technologies and advanced uses of data have the potential to solve the global challenges ahead of us. However, they also present important ethical dilemmas and challenges. Nowhere is this truer than in the financial sector. Please join our global conversation with international experts from academia, business, and intergovernmental organizations as we discuss the ethics and social impacts of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies in the context of the financial sector. We will discuss issues such as…
What are the impacts, risks, and opportunities of technology use in the financial sector? How do we avoid the reproduction and exacerbation of inequalities? What types of business, regulatory, and policy solutions exist to manage risk?
The conversation is situated within the global Responsible Digital Leadership project launched from the Center for Human Rights and International Justice at Stanford University in March 2021. During the past year over 50 Ph.D. and advanced level scholars from over 25 countries collaborated with financial industry leaders to perform a transdisciplinary study of ethical risks & dilemmas associated with technology use in the financial sector.

This inaugural conference provides a virtual meeting space to gather and share work and insights related to ethical risks and social impacts of advanced technologies, with focus on the financial sector.

We will share findings from our project in conversation with thought leaders across sectors, who will provide critical industry and government perspectives, including the role of Human Rights in these considerations.

We will explore the meaning of sustainable finance; responsible digital leadership and introduce the deepening and broadening of our research agenda with the launch of our second global cohort of scholars.
