The InterAct Network is built on the foundation of developing relationships between stakeholders from the academic, manufacturing, and digital technology sectors. That’s why we’re committed to running numerous events over the next three years to bring together our community as we share knowledge, build partnerships, and fund projects to pioneer new human insights for industry.
You can view all our upcoming events and webinars below.
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
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.