Event categories: Events

Event Overview

Join InterAct and LightGuide as we explore how digital technologies can empower workers, expand inclusion and spur manufacturing innovation.

The growth of digital solutions in manufacturing offers exciting opportunities for organisations willing to embrace change. New technology has the capacity to empower employees, driving productivity and innovation, while diversifying the talent pool to expand workforce inclusivity. Digital transformation provides a wealth of opportunities for all workers, but especially for traditionally excluded groups such as those managing disabilities or long-term health conditions.

We hear a lot about ‘good’ or ‘best’ practice, but what does ‘good’ look like when we consider the implementation of inclusive technologies and workplace innovation, and how can manufacturing stakeholders align digital investments with innovative approaches to managing people?

This webinar brings together researchers from the Made Smarter Innovation funded, UKRI: Economic and Social Research Council-led ‘InterAct Network’ and the expert technologists of augmented reality software providers LightGuide, to share insights on the challenges, and opportunities, when introducing workforces to new technology.

We will invite manufacturing leaders and stakeholders to share their insights and learn from the experience of those in both the US and UK as to how we can harness new technologies to drive both inclusion and innovation in manufacturing

The webinar will also involve examples of innovative practice shared by LightGuide, a leading projected AR work instruction software provider offering inclusive workplace solutions that transform manual processes by projecting digital step-by-step AR work instructions onto an employee’s work surface, standardizing and error proofing the work. Coupled with 3D sensors and vision cameras, the system prevents and detects errors in real-time while capturing data and insights on your operator’s performance and quality.

Event Overview

The future of manufacturing might be driven by technology, but it will be powered by people.

On the 4th December 2024 our industry partners will be showcasing the impact of the people-led tools and insights created within the Centre for People-Led Digitalisation.

Led by our partners, the event offers an opportunity to hear directly from organisations such as the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, MFX, and Mestec about how their collaboration with the Centre has helped them put people at the core of their thinking.

Don’t miss this chance to learn, engage, and be inspired by real-world examples of people-led innovation in action!

Event Overview

This webinar provides an analysis of the comparative productivity of the manufacturing industry across UK regions, specifically the East Midlands, West Midlands, and Yorkshire.

Drawing on data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the manufacturing sector has been identified as the largest contributor to output growth per hour, with a rate of 0.7 compared to 0.1 for the total UK industries, underscoring its critical role in driving regional economic performance. Productivity, defined as the ratio of output to labour hours, is influenced by both changes in output and labour efficiency.

The report explores key factors affecting regional productivity, including the impact of collaborative R&D grants that foster technological advancements and innovation, as well as labour market dynamics that ensure the availability of skilled and adaptable workers. It highlights how the innovation ecosystems of these regions contribute to building resilience in the manufacturing sector.

The insights derived from this analysis are intended to support stakeholders—including regional policymakers and industry leaders—in making informed decisions to enhance regional economic growth. Ultimately, the report aims to promote a more productive, resilient, and sustainable manufacturing sector across the UK, ensuring long-term economic growth.

Event Overview

This event, tailored for manufacturers and industrial digital technology providers and funded by InterAct, will explore cutting-edge strategies for driving the adoption of Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs) through collaboration and open innovation.

Join us and hear from leading experts and researchers in the field as they share key findings from recent research projects aimed at enhancing digital transformation in the UK’s manufacturing sector.

Gain insights into how open innovation can reduce barriers to technology adoption, foster collaboration between manufacturers and technology providers, and accelerate the integration of digital solutions such as automation, AI, and IoT.

This event is a great opportunity to network with industry peers, share best practices, and explore new collaborations that can boost your organization’s competitive advantage.

Whether you’re looking to scale your use of IDTs or provide digital solutions to manufacturers, this event will offer valuable takeaways and practical guidance to help you stay ahead of the curve.

Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of the conversation shaping the future of UK manufacturing.

Event Overview

In this rapidly evolving AI era, human irreplaceability lies in our ability to tell compelling stories. We are story-driven beings, creating and believing in narratives about nations, deities, corporations, money, love, and ideologies—concepts that, though not natural, shape our history and society.

These stories give meaning to our lives and motivate us to act. Ultimately, our success in persuading leaders and stakeholders to build an equitable future depends on the stories we tell.

We would like to invite you to share your vision of a just future and how we might achieve it by taking part in this workshop.

Participants will have the opportunity to choose an interesting thought experiment to engage with and share with the group, in a session designed to build confidence and the free exchange of ideas.

Learn about the process of storyboard creation and Generative AI, and then create your own storyboard with AI image generators Midjourney and DALL-E.

Event Overview

Do you work in the manufacturing, digital technology or consider yourself an expert in the field?

Join us for a deep dive into the real-world challenges and opportunities of digital technology in UK manufacturing.

Discover strategies to increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, and stay ahead of your competitors in an increasingly digital world.  

This workshop will provide valuable insights into both the barriers and benefits of adopting digital technologies in the manufacturing sector.

You’ll explore how to overcome the challenges and unlock the potential these technologies offer to improve efficiency, boost productivity, and sharpen your competitive edge in the market.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided on the day.

Event Overview

Just because we can, does it mean we should?

For people in countries with the means, it’s possible to get many products and services (everything), delivered to almost any location (everywhere), often within the hour (all at once).

It could be argued that in developed economies, we have reached the zenith of consumption driven economic growth – and the negative impact on society and the planet can no longer be denied.

With social inequities between the richest and poorest within and between countries increasing, planetary boundaries being exceeded and human slavery still prevalent, is it not time to consider a different way of doing business? Can we decouple production from consumption to find more responsible ways to do business?

Reflecting on the changes in supply chain strategy over the past 30 years or so, InterAct Co-director Professor Godsell’s lecture will present a vison for how we can create a more responsible future for supply chains and what it would require from individuals, businesses and policy makers.

Overview

In this interactive half-day session you’ll hear about workplace innovation, essential skills and emerging technologies that can propel Scotland’s manufacturing sector forward.

The event will start with a networking lunch and will end with a tour of the NMIS factory.

This event is delivered by Peer Works and Prosper in partnership with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and is aimed at businesses and organisations operating in the manufacturing sector.

Attendees will be joined by expert panels and case study speakers who will share their insights, research and experience.

Speakers

• Ian Towns, Manufacturing Engineer at Balmoral Comtec Limited
• Barbara Russell-Scott, Director of Operations, Young Spirits
• Michael Cusack, Chief Sustainability Officer, ACS Clothing
• Prof Colin Lindsay, Work, Employment and Organisation, University of Strathclyde
• Stewart McKinlay, Skills Director, Manufacturing Skills Academy
• Nick Shields, Head of SMAS and Sustainability, Scottish Enterprise

Overview

The Made Smarter Connected Factories group has just announced that the 2nd Workshop of Low-Cost Digital Solutions for Industrial Automation will return this year to the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), University of Cambridge.

They are currently seeking papers to include in the session, the deadline to submit an abstract will be 10th May, with the workshop taking place from 1st - 2nd October 2024 at the University of Cambridge.

The academic workshop will focus on research and development of concepts, methods, and technologies developed for low-cost digital solutions for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, logistics and healthcare.

Overview 

The Innovation and Research Caucus will welcome stakeholders and experts to their latest networking session at The Studio, Birmingham. This event aims to give participants the opportunity to:

• Understand the directions and evidence needs for research and innovation support as a wider community.    
• Share gathered insights to help inform projects and gaps in the research and innovation system.
• Update the community – where is the IRC and where’s it going.

The event will be broken up into different sessions. These will include:   

• An intro session from UKRI.
• A panel discussion with UKRI Senior Colleagues to discuss the importance of evidence for decision makers.
• Breakout sessions delving deeper into specific themes.
• A session on ‘actionable insights’, including definitions and examples