With economic, societal and environmental emergencies making headlines across the globe daily, consumers are demanding businesses adapt and change.

With a responsibility to tackle the greatest challenges of our time, the Aspect Network seeks to bridge the gap between leading social science research and business innovation.

At this event we will hear from those sitting at the epicentre of discovery, imagination and progress in the social sciences. 

What will you get out of the day?

An opportunity to hear how social sciences academics and business are collaborating to address the global challenge of sustainability.
This includes case studies and examples of how:

- Social sciences can bring expertise to business that other R&D subjects lack

- Industry can benefit social scientists

- Social sciences is relevant to industry (and beyond)

The chance to network with academics, businesses, funders, university support staff and commercialisation professionals to share learning and create new connections.
The opportunity to network with relevant businesses, academics and practitioners to establish funded collaborations.

Please note the main event ends at 4pm but there will be additional networking opportunities and drinks from 4-6pm.

Agenda

9:30-10am - Arrival and registration

10-10:45am - Opening Plenary ('Mobilising Social Sciences to Drive Innovation')

Summary: Learn how Aspect is providing opportunities for social sciences to be used in the private sector, and what social sciences can gain from collaborating with industry. This will include insights from Julia Black and Colette Fagan followed by a Q&A session.

Speakers: Julia Black (LSE & UKRI board), Colette Fagan (Manchester University’s Vice-president for Research) , Andrew James (Associate Dean for Business Engagement & External Relations, University of Manchester)

10:45-11:10 am - Break with refreshments and time to network.

11:10 -12:30 pm - Panel Debate 'Purpose in Practice'

Summary: Hear from industry leaders on innovations that have made a real difference to not only their business, but also to people and the planet.

Panellists: Thomas Bouvier (Soaper Duper), John Pritchard (Pala Eyewear) and Duncan Gray (Brodie), Teresa Hitchcock (UK Safety Health & Environment team).

Thomas Bouvier, Soaper Duper. "We believe that soap can change everything”. No SLS/SLES, no parabens, no artificial colours, and we sell them in big, basic, some recycled, some recyclable plastic packaging at enviably competitive prices. We also support WaterAid to bring soap and water to communities who need it.

John Pritchard, Pala Eyewear We’re not there yet, but ultimately, our goal is to create a business that puts people and the planet before profits and ethical and sustainable practices at the forefront of our operations.

Duncan Gray, Brodie Founder of International sustainability and responsible businesses consultancy. Duncan has worked in a variety of environments – from in-house roles at Mars Inc. and Compass Group, through an amazing opportunity with two charities working on London 2012, to several years consulting on sustainability strategy.

Teresa Hitchcock, DLA Piper Teresa is a partner in DLA Piper’s Sheffield office and heads the firm’s UK Safety Health and Environment team. Outside her practice she has been heavily involved in the promotion of sustainable development and is a noted speaker at conferences on such topics as climate change law and sustainable supply chain management. She is the joint chair and member of an advisory group dealing with the move to a low carbon economy in the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.

Chair: Mariel Vilella, Director of Global Strategy , Zero Waste Europe. Mariel leads Zero Waste Europe's work at the global level, including the management and the coordination of the network activities in collaboration with Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) members worldwide that are promoting zero waste policies and practices with special emphasis on the participation and inclusion of waste workers and communities. Mariel has training in Sociology and Communication Studies, and has broad experience in environmental issues, publications development, and research.

12:30-1 pm - 1st Keynote speaker

Helen Taylor - (of Ecotricity and Forest Green Rovers) will be talking about novel insights into 'sustainability disruption' in the clean energy market and professional football. Helen's presentation will trace the ‘green entrepreneurial’ journey of the clean energy company Ecotricity and their sister company Forest Green Rovers Football Club.

1-2 pm - Lunch + networking

2-3 pm - Breakout sessions:

Breakout session 1: Academic and business collaborations in practice: This breakout session will feature academics and business partners from the universities of Cardiff, Glasgow and Oxford speaking on how collaboration between the private sector and academia has been mutually beneficial in translating research into real-world impact.

Panellists:

Adam Saunders is Research Fellow at the Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance at the Department of Education at Oxford, which undertakes research into develop the skills of the workforce for the future economy. Adam is currently working with an interdisciplinary team led by John Armour at Oxford, alongside a group of business collaborators including Slaughter & May, Allen & Overy, Thomson Reuters and start-up LexSnap on an ESRC-funded project on how the legal services can exploit and adapt artificial intelligence technologies.

Dr. Natalie Welden is a lecturer in Environmental Science and Sustainability in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Glasgow. Natalie is an expert in microplastics and focuses her work on marine and agriculture environments. Among her current list of ambitious projects is SOPaS (Stopping Ocean Plastics at Source). This project, led by Inheriting Earth Ltd. in partnership with Beko Plc and JNDC Ltd., seeks to reduce the flow of textile derived microfibers between our washing machines and the domestic environment.

Sally Good is the Chief Operating Officer of Evidence to Impact, a social sciences spinout from the universities of Bristol and Cardiff. Sally has taken the company’s main product from its initial application in NHS Trusts through to its international delivery.

Breakout session 2: What does scaling up social science mean? - Explore what opportunities there are to make social science impact sustainable beyond the funding end date.

Panellists:

Joanne Tippet - Dr Joanne Tippett is a lecturer in Spatial Planning in the School of Environment and Development at the University of Manchester. Her ESRC funded research into participatory river basin planning led to the development of a hands-on toolkit for engagement, Ketso. She launched Ketso as a social business in 2009 and it is now in use in over 75 countries. She will discuss her experiences of starting a spin-out, the advantages and barriers, and how this has intersected with her academic work.
Bruce Etherington - Impact manager at the University of Cardiff. He manages funding schemes and associated activities to increase the impact of Social Science Research.

Chaired by: Mel Knetsch (Deputy Director of Impact and Innovation at ESRC)

3-3:30 pm - Break with refreshments and time to network.

3:30-4 pm - 2nd Keynote speaker

Jeremy Kent Hall - Director for SPRU (Science Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex). His talk is titled “Emerging Challenges and Unintended Consequences of Innovation: The 'Eroom' Effect and Borlaug's Paradox”. He has a background in the social impacts and unanticipated outcomes of innovation and entrepreneurship, sustainable supply chains, social inclusion, strategies for sustainable development innovation and responsible management.

The Q&A and closing remarks will be chaired by Julia Black.

4-6pm - Networking & drinks reception

Registrations are closed

Aspect Annual Event