Towards Net Zero Construction Leveraging Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and Industry 4.0 Innovations
Mar 4, 2024
Location
Hybrid Lecture Theatre 1.93, Mary Seacole Building, University of Salford, M5 4WT
and online recorded
Description
This seminar will focus on role of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in helping the
construction industry achieve net-zero construction targets and in creating more efficient processes and
structures. It aims to explore challenges like low productivity, safety issues, and labour inefficiency that have
historically impeded the construction sector, resulting in delays and suboptimal infrastructure life cycle and
energy performance. Emphasizing the importance of Industry 4.0-driven digital transformation, the seminar
seeks to enhance readiness to meet evolving societal expectations, climate change, resource scarcity, and
disruptive innovation. Providing an international perspective on global challenges, the seminar will concentrate
on formulating a common vision and strategies to propel the construction sector towards achieving national netzero construction targets.
Key trigger questions include:
• What is the current level and awareness of construction manufacturing approaches (DfMA, Off-site
construction) across global construction industry?
• What skill sets are required for graduates focused on MMC vs traditional construction?
• What measures are required at policy/institutional/governmental level to encourage wider adoption and
implementation of Construction Manufacturing approaches, particularly within the public sector?
• What changes are needed (e.g., business models, skills development, technologies) to encourage wider
MMC adoption within global construction industry?
• How can various stakeholders work together (Government, local industry, companies, academia) to
ensure wider deployment of construction manufacturing approaches?
• What changes may be required within current procurement models and building regulations to
encourage wider use of MMC?
• What is the role of Industry 4.0 innovations (AI, Robotics, Data Sciences, etc) to facilitate DfMA/MMC
uptake?
UK Acoustics Network Plus Physical Acoustics and Early Career SIG workshop on Careers in Acoustics
Mar 20, 2025
Location
Institute of Physics, London
Description
As an Early Career representative member of the Special Interest Group (SIG), I, along with a few colleagues, organised a workshop titled Careers in Acoustics.
Held on Thursday, 20th March, at the Institute of Physics in London, the Physical Acoustics and Early Career SIG workshop was attended by over 35 people and had a vibrant, engaging atmosphere. It was wonderful to see early, mid, and senior career members of the UK Acoustics Network Plus all in one room, sharing their experiences.
Eight invited speakers discussed opportunities in the acoustic engineering industry and beyond, highlighting the skills currently in demand and how to successfully transition from academia to industry. We were pleased to welcome representatives from prominent organisations including Hoare Lea, Innovate UK, Multiwave Technologies AG, Rolls-Royce, and Airbus.
Ten early career attendees were selected to present their skills to the workshop audience, and each of them demonstrated exceptional professionalism and showcased their capabilities impressively.
The workshop concluded with a lively panel discussion, during which early career attendees continued the conversation with invited speakers about opportunities in both academia and industry.
The Digital Horizon: Opportunities and Challenges of Emerging Technologies, Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum,
Mar 18, 2025
Location
MediaCity, Manchester
Description
We hosted the “The Digital Horizon: Opportunities and Challenges of Emerging Technologies” event on 18 March in Greater Manchester, in partnership with The University of Salford and dock10.
The event built on our work in digital identity, synthetic media and quantum technologies, bringing together experts to discuss the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech, and how to navigate the digital future.
A short video summary is available here: DRCF Digital Horizon event overview
A full recording of the event is also available: The Digital Horizon: Opportunities and Challenges of Emerging Technologies
You can view specific panel discussions at the following times:
Looking to the Technological Horizon – 16:15
A Quantum Leap from 2025 to 2035: The Journey Ahead – 56:00
What is the Role of Regulators to Ensuring a Robust and Useful Digital ID Ecosystem – 1:40:45
The future of Synthetic Media Presentation – 2:06:34
What are the Opportunities and Risks Associated with the Development of Synthetic Media? – 2:18:40
Six community workshops employing the Photovoice technique were conducted as part of the ENSEMBLE research project.
Location
1. Church of the Ascension, Ascension Rd, Salford M7 1AG.
2. Lombardy Court Sheltered Housing Retirement Living Complex, Lombardy Court, Salford M6 5JF.
3. Ordsall Community Arts Centre, 2 Robert Hall St, Salford M5 3LT.
4. FoodCycle Salford Angel Cent
Description
Six community workshops were conducted as part of the photovoice phase of the ENSEMBLE research project. These workshops aimed to introduce the project to local participants, recruit community members as co-researchers, and provide training on the photovoice technique—including guidance on capturing and submitting photos. The sessions also facilitated data collection through photography and included interpretation and reflection workshops, where participants discussed the photos and shared their narratives.
The organisation of these workshops was supported by several local community groups and centres, including Church of the Ascension in Lower Broughton, Lombardy Court Sheltered Housing Retirement Living Complex, Ordsall Community Art Centre, The Broughton Trust, and the FoodCycle Salford Angel Centre.
Through these workshops, a database of over 150 photos was generated. The interpretation workshops gathered valuable community insights linked to the images, enriching the research and helping transition the project into its second phase. Moreover, these activities established strong local networks involving over 15 community groups, fostering community connections and building trust—essential foundations for participatory research and ongoing collaboration.
University of Salford, School of Science, Engineering & Environment.
Description
Unimaker Salford was a dynamic two-day conference that brought together leaders, educators, and innovators to explore best practices, strategies, and tools shaping the future of makerspaces, powered by the Morson Group STEM Foundation. With the theme “Innovative Learning Spaces: Unlocking the Impact of Maker Spaces,” the conference explored how makerspaces influenced curricula, digital strategies, student engagement, the maker community, and entrepreneurship. It shared lessons from makerspaces and highlighted their role in fostering collaboration within universities and beyond.
A programme of speakers and panels spotlighted makerspace case studies that transformed curriculum design, entrepreneurial activity, skill development, and community engagement across makerspace education. These sessions were complemented by roundtable discussions, designed to spark interdisciplinary conversations inspired by the speaker and panel topics, followed by Q&A sessions. They provided a valuable opportunity to network, share insights, and learn from other makerspace systems and programmes.
Unimaker was established by Dr. Peter Mylon, Senior University Teacher in Multidisciplinary Engineering Education at the University of Sheffield. He led the iForge Makerspace, the UK’s first student-led facility, and founded Unimaker to highlight innovation and skills in academic makerspaces.
A timetable of the conference is available on our Unimaker 2025 Agenda website
Current Challenges, Innovative Practice and Student Experience in Physiology Education
May 15, 2024
Description
The higher education sector is rapidly evolving. As such, universities must pay far greater attention to performance and metrics in areas such as widening participation, student experience and graduate outcomes. The role of the physiology educator therefore goes far beyond the information we convey in the lecture theatre and laboratory setting, and we are in fact key actors in the sector’s response to societal challenges.
The aim of this meeting is to bring together physiology educators and industry stakeholders of all career stages and across a broad range of fields, to share innovation and best practice. The programme covers four key themes:
Graduate Capital and Industry Engagement in Physiology Education.
Improving Physiology Education Through Playful Learning and Authentic Assessment.
Enhancing Local and Global Access to Physiology Education.
Resilience and Adaptability in a Changing Landscape of Higher Education
