This one-day conference convened academics, policymakers, industry and community partners to showcase co-developed and co-produced environmental sustainability research from The University of Manchester.
Sustainable Futures delivered the Co-created Futures Conference in partnership with Manchester Environmental Research Institute, The Henry Royce Institute, Manchester Tyndall Centre for Climate Change and Manchester Urban Institute. The conference showcased co-developed and co-produced environmental sustainability research across three themes: Materials Energy Nature
Speakers:
Stalls and activities from:
University of Manchester Innovation Factory – Driving commercialisation of research and innovation at the University of Manchester Masood Entrepreneurship Centre – Supporting student and academic entrepreneurs to turn ideas into impact University Living Lab – Connecting students with real-world sustainability challenges The RoundView
Keynote Speaker: Abigail Herron
Abigail is Global Head of Nature Policy and leads Aviva Investors’ work on environmental, social and governance focused strategic partnerships within the award-winning sustainable finance centre for excellence. She also fosters innovative thinking by developing approaches to frontier ESG themes. Abigail leads the workstream focusing on antibiotic resistance and biodiversity. During her 16 years in responsible investment Abigail has worked on the A to Z of ESG topics - from aviation emissions to zero-hour contracts. She has deep experience with the creation, launch, management and distribution of funds. From the early pioneers such as the CIS sustainable leaders range, now the Royal London sustainable world funds, and the £2.2Bn Friends Life Stewardship Funds, to contemporary funds. She also has deep, practical knowledge of integration and data, net zero plans, sustainability reporting, TCFD etc.
Watch Abigail's talk here:
Dr Samira Malekmohammadi’s work bridges cutting-edge chemistry and industrial application. At CEAMS (Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability), she helps businesses commercialise sustainable materials and rethink their processes for a greener future. She presented some projects from CEAMS, which is a powerful collaboration between RDA, CPI, Royce, HVM Catapult, MTC, NCC, NPL and the University of Manchester - making world-class expertise accessible to UK businesses.
Dr Torik Holmes presented the Everyday Flexible Plastic Packaging Recycling Assembly - a bold initiative uniting SMEs, multinationals, academia, and government to tackle the UK’s 895,000-tonne flexible plastic challenge
Dr Christopher Egan Morriss’ research explored how bacteria like Shewanella oneidensis can recover copper nanoparticles from industrial wastewater offering a breakthrough in green chemistry and metal recycling.
Watch the Materials talks and panel below:
Energy Session
Alexandra Barrueta, Research Associate on the Community Owned Renewable Energy (CORE) project and Executive Director of the Community Benefit Society, is bridging the gap between academic insight and community-led delivery. Her work explores ownership models and governance frameworks, using co-design methodologies to ensure local stakeholders genuinely shape their energy futures. With funding from UMRI and EDRC, the interdisciplinary CORE team - spanning the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Manchester Urban Institute and Alliance Manchester Business School is developing scalable policy tools to overcome barriers to community-owned renewables across the North of England.
Dr David Johnstone’s work in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences tackles Greater Manchester’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels - where only 2.5% of energy currently comes from renewables. His project explores the untapped potential of geothermal energy, using advanced subsurface modelling and geological analysis to identify viable sites for shallow and deep geothermal heat. By digitising complex datasets and mapping geological risk, David, Cathy Hollis and the rest of the team are paving the way for safer, smarter decarbonisation strategies.
Dr Vidyadhar Peesapati's expertise and interests are in the field of high voltage and electrical power engineering and its involvement in future energy issues. He is interested in interdisciplinary research/work and development, such as material enhancement for improved electrical performances in electrical insulation and new technologies thus combining the knowledge of material sciences and electrical power engineering. His current role is to respond to real-world industry problems, and provide rapid support and solutions using ‘non–routine’ high voltage testing, simulations and consulting that leverage his expertise and research facilities available within the University.
The projects presented in this session exemplify the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement in driving a just energy transition.
Watch the full Energy session below:
Nature Session
Dr Sarah Sutcliffe, a Post-Doctoral Research Associate in the Global Development Institute, introduced the Just Earth Observation for Conservation project, which examines the social justice risks of Earth Observation technologies in conservation. Through case studies in Guatemala, Kenya, Spain and the UK, the project reframed how data can empower communities living in conserved lands.
Professor Jamie Woodward, Professor of Physical Geography at The University of Manchester presented urgent findings on microplastic pollution in UK rivers, highlighting the environmental and health impacts of untreated sewage discharges. His work informed national policy conversations and inspires action at the intersection of science and advocacy.
Dr Jenna Ashton is an educator-artist-producer-designer and Senior Lecturer in Heritage Studies, Institute for Cultural Practices. Jenna will share her interdisciplinary research bridging feminist environmental humanities and heritage studies. She will spotlight community-led, place-based practices that honour both biodiversity and cultural knowledge.
This session reminded us that nature is not just a backdrop - justice, care and collaboration must guide how we design a sustainable future.
Watch the full session below: