Hosted by Lancaster University, the UKSPA Autumn Conference will bring together leaders, experts and key stakeholders within the UKSPA community and the science and innovation sector across the UK. Throughout the conference, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with thought-provoking talks, explore cutting-edge facilities, and connect with fellow peers. Prepare for insightful keynote addresses and lively networking sessions. Topics include-

• The role of Science Parks in the UK’s Industrial Strategy;
• The use of AI in finding efficiencies in day-to-day operations;
• Sustainable Science Parks and Benchmarking;
• Talent, skills and the Innovation Workforce
• Talks in support of tours
• and much more!

In addition, there will be tours taking place across the two days, including the Health Innovation Campus, Data Immersion Suite and LENS as part of the Digital Cyber Quarter and the Net Zero Energy Centre. Please note- tours are included within the draft programme, which is subject to change. Further updates will be announced shortly. No registration for the tours will be required. 

Day 1- Thursday 20th November

 09.30 – 10.30       Welcome/Registration

 10.30 – 11.15      UKSPA Welcome – Dr Sally Basker, UKSPA Chair

 11.15 – 12.00      UKSPA Strategy & Priorities 2025-26, Ruth Hall Chief Executive Officer, UKSPA

12.00 – 12.30        Welcome from our Hosts

                               David Hounslea – Director of Estates and Facilities and Commercial Facilities, Lancaster University

12.30 – 13.30        Lunch, Networking & Exhibition

13.30 – 14.15        Role of Science Parks in the UK’s Industrial Strategy

                                Heidi Bridger, Deputy Director – Innovation Infrastructure, Innovate UK

                                Mark Goldstone, Senior Policy Manager, Head of UK Competitiveness, CBI

14.15 – 15.00         Finding efficiencies in using AI in day-to-day operations

                                AI in Building Operations: Only as Smart as Your Data 

                                Ant Marsh, Senior Building Performance Engineer, Arup

                                 Brett Smith, Digital and Software lead, Siemens Energy

15.00 – 15.30         Tea/Coffee Networking and Exhibition

15.30 – 16.30          UKSPA AGM

16.30  – 18.00       Tours of Health Innovation Campus, Digital Cyber Quarter – Data Immersion Suite and LENS Building

 19.00 – 22:00        Drinks Reception and Dinner, Kindly Sponsored by Communicate. Attire: Business Casual

Day 2- Friday 21st November

 08.30 – 09.00         Registration

09.00 – 10.30          Tours and Interactive Sessions

 10.30  – 11.15         Talent, Skills and the Innovation Workforce- How to attract and retain talent in an evolving economy

                                 Natalie Hough, Regional Manager, Cheshire & Warrington and Liverpool, BioGrad Education

                                 Stephen Foreman, Commercial Manager, Cogent Skills

11.15 -11.45           Coffee/Networking and Exhibition

11.45 – 12.30          Sustainability Benchmarking

                                  Chair:  Sarah Windrum, Head of Cluster Development, Mira Tech Park 

                                  Anna Bright, Chief Executive, Sustainability West Midlands

                                  Speaker (TBC) – Planet Mark

12.30  – 13.15        Keynotes

                                 The National Centre for Universities and Business

                                 Speaker (TBC)

13.15- 14.00           Lunch, Networking and Exhibition

Lancaster University is held in high regard both nationally and internationally. It is a member of the prestigious N8 Group for research collaboration and has earned a gold rating in the UK’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), a testament to its outstanding teaching quality and student outcomes. The university is also known for its collegiate system, which fosters a strong sense of community and provides a supportive environment for students.

Health Innovation Campus

A pioneering initiative dedicated to tackling global health challenges, Lancaster University’s Health Innovation Campus is a state-of-the-art facility fostering collaboration between academics, healthcare professionals, businesses, and the community. The first phase of this ambitious project, the Health Innovation One building, opened its doors in September 2020. The campus is in its first phase with potential for a further development stages on the campus.

The campus serves as a dynamic hub for innovation, research, and education, with a clear focus on several key areas of expertise. These include:

• Population Health: A central theme is the improvement of public health and wellbeing by addressing the wider determinants of health. The campus aims to develop preventative strategies and solutions that can reduce pressures on the NHS and empower individuals to lead healthier lives.
• Digital Health and Technology: The campus is at the forefront of exploring and implementing digital solutions in healthcare. This includes the development of new medical technologies, data analysis for health insights, and the use of digital platforms to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.
• Ageing and Long-Term Conditions: With an ageing population, a significant area of focus is on developing innovative approaches to managing long-term health conditions and promoting healthy ageing. This involves research into new models of care, assistive technologies, and support for independent living.
• Workforce Development: The Health Innovation Campus is committed to shaping the future of the healthcare workforce. Through its cutting-edge facilities, including a simulated hospital ward and anatomy suite, it provides an exceptional learning environment for students at Lancaster Medical School. It also offers professional development opportunities for those already working in the health and care sectors.
• Business Incubation and SME Support: A crucial aspect of the campus’s mission is to support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the health sector. By providing access to world-class research, expertise, and facilities, it helps businesses to develop and bring to market new products and services that can improve health outcomes.

Through its collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach, the Health Innovation Campus is creating a vibrant ecosystem for health innovation, driving improvements in healthcare delivery and economic development in the region and beyond.

Data Emmersion Suite and LENS

The Data Immersion Suite, and its associated Control Room, are dedicated teaching and research facilities at the University enabling educators to create complex scenarios which might unfold over hours or even days.

The ability to dynamically display data and create an immersive environment gives users a decision space which encourages collaboration, life-like experiences, and time sensitive decision-making.

The Data Immersion Suite enables students, researchers, policy makers and engineers to explore complex problems using imaginative on-screen data visualisations, with real-time updates from cyber and physical systems.

LENS is our newly refurbished coworking space for companies and organisation in the digital and cyber space. Here we bring together academics, companies and students to engage and innovate.

Net Zero Energy Centre

Following the award of more than £21million of funding from the Government’s Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), Lancaster University began construction of a new ‘Net Zero Energy Centre’ in November 2024 and the project will complete in Spring 2027.

The new facility on the outer edge of south east campus will virtually eliminate the use of gas to heat its Lancaster campus. The Net Zero Energy Centre will use state-of-the-art heat pump technology to generate a projected 39-Gigawatt hours (GWh) of low carbon heat, enough to heat 95% of the buildings on campus.

The existing District Heat Network will be extended to increase its coverage across campus buildings from approximately 65% to 95%. In November 2024 an additional 6.5km of district heating pipework will be installed to connect the buildings on campus together. The project is expected to be complete by Spring 2027

Working with Energy Lancaster we have also integrated solar and wind projects into the energy mix. Energy Lancaster draws in diverse interdisciplinary expertise from across the faculties of science and technology, arts and social sciences, health and medicine, and the management school, to develop novel approaches and creative solutions to the complex energy challenges we face.

High Performance Laboratory

This facility within the Sports and Exercise Science programme provides students and researchers access to state-of-the-art equipment for studying biomechanics and exercise physiology.

 The Simulation Ward

The Simulation Ward  is a fully equipped, simulated hospital ward used for training medical students, student anesthesia associates, and NHS staff.