Sustainable Futures Seminar Series | 27th January 2022

On Thursday, 27th January 2022, the first event of the Sustainable Futures Seminar Series took place. We were joined by our guest speakers Dr Neil Dixon and Dr Aled Roberts from The University of Manchester. The event brought attendees from across the world, including academics from universities in Japan, as well as academics from The University of Manchester. 

The event was chaired by Sarah Barton, Strategy and Operations Manager of the Research Platforms Team (Digital Futures and Sustainable Futures), who opened the event and introduced our guest speakers Dr Neil Dixon, Reader, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology at The University of Manchester and Dr Aled Roberts, Research Fellow, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology at The University of Manchester.

Our first speaker, Dr Aled Roberts presented “Green space: How off-world construction technologies could promote sustainable development on Earth”. He discussed how advanced construction technologies being developed for the Lunar and Martian surfaces could be applied on Earth and could help improve the sustainability of the buildings and construction sector - which accounts for 39% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions by some estimates.  Watch the recording here.

Following on from Dr Roberts, Dr Dixon discussed “Microbial engineering for a healthy planet”. He presented some highlights of advanced methods to engineer microbes, which could provide tractable approaches to address sustainability challenges. This includes activities from his research group. Dr Dixon ended his discussion with a Q&A session that was welcomed by engaged attendees. Watch the recording here.

Sarah Barton closed the event and Lauren Mullan, the organiser of the Sustainable Futures Seminar Series, informed the listeners of the upcoming events in the series. Register to the upcoming Sustainable Futures Seminar Series events here.

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