Events

This webinar series aims to introduce Regional SMEs to Sheffield Hallam University Research Centres, giving you the chance to connect with experts and academics, to create funded opportunities for engagement and collaborations to drive your business forward.

Delivered in daily bite-size webinars, you will get the chance to meet university experts, hear about recent projects and learn about the University facilities and expertise which are available to Sheffield City Region SMEs through funded projects with the Sheffield Innovation Programme.

Schedule

Monday 19th April 11-12:30:
Introduction to Sports and Physical Activity Research Centre (SPARC)

Tuesday 20th April 11-12:30: Introduction to the National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering (NCEFE)

Wednesday 21st April 11-12:30: Introduction to Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre (BMRC)

Thursday 22nd April 13:00-14:30: Introduction to Computing

Tuesday 27th April 11-12:30: Introduction to Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI)

Wednesday 28th April 11-12:30: Introduction to Design Futures Product

Thursday 29th April 11-12:30: Introduction to Design Futures Packaging

About the Centres

Sports and Physical Activity Research Centre (SPARC)
SPARC is one of the largest sports and physical activity research clusters in the UK and comprises of four research groups, which carry out internationally renowned, world-class research in sport and human performance, physical activity and health, sport business and economics and sport engineering.
SPARC facilitates collaborations across multiple disciplines to address real world research questions and to have an impact at individual, local and population levels. Its research is delivered with national and international partners, ranging from elite sporting organisations, such as Sport England, Team GB Olympic, and FIFA, to health sectors and charities, including the NHS, Department of Health, Public Health England and Macmillan Cancer Research.

The National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering (NCEFE)
The National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering provides innovative engineering solutions for food and drink manufacturers. A new state of the art facility is open housing a pilot scale manufacturing facility, high care and low care environments, engineering workshops, laboratories, specialist storage facilities including chilled and frozen, and full utility supply to equipment.

Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre (BMRC)
The BMRC has a designated commercial unit with strong industrial links, providing a range of services in bioanalysis and custom synthesis. Their research skills are utilised by local SMEs, national and international companies who access our expertise and facilities in co-development partnerships and contract research projects. BMRC provide high-quality commercial and consultancy services, with expertise in areas including microbiology, cell culture, microscopy, organic molecule synthesis, mass spectrometry.

Computing
The Department of Computing currently carries out research that can be categorised by four themes of excellence: People and Technology; Information, Systems and Organisations; Intelligent and Autonomous Technologies and the Digital Economy. Under these broad themes, researchers in the Department are active in a number of areas of theoretical and applied computer science and informatics including: Ad-hoc and sensor networks, Robotics, Machine intelligence, Conceptual structures, Visualisation, Games and Virtual Reality, and Cybersecurity & Edge System Protection

Materials and Engineering Research Institute
The Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI) is a dynamic interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to addressing industrial problems through the application of fundamental science and engineering. Their experienced team has a highly successful track record applying cutting edge research to find innovative solutions to industry problems. From material analysis to infrastructure management our solutions generate real competitive advantage. Their research and consultancy activities are supported by a large advanced equipment base, ranging from the latest electron microscopes to high performance computing hardware. MERI encompasses a variety of research centres and groups which enables them to focus on particular areas within the materials and engineering field.

Design Futures Product
Design Futures Product is a commercially focused product design consultancy group based within Sheffield Hallam University. Their approach is inclusive and multidisciplinary. They apply different perspectives to solve problems and exploit opportunities for their clients. Their clients range from small and medium sized enterprises right through to large multinationals. They thrive on developing compelling products to help build commercially successful product ranges.

Design Futures Packaging
Design Futures Packaging are Sheffield Hallam University's team of award-winning packaging designers, providing businesses, both large and small, with cutting edge structural packaging design, independent of manufacture with a focus on environmentally responsible solutions. The team were voted Design Team of the Year at the UK Packaging Awards in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. You can view examples of recent Design Futures work on Instagram at @designfutures_packaging.

Are you a charity or 3rd sector organisation in the Sheffield region? Would you like to learn about how Sheffield Hallam University has been working with other organisations to develop innovations to support wellbeing?
If so, come along to a webinar hosted by Claire Craig and Helen Fisher. Claire is co-director of Lab4Living, a design-led research group at Sheffield Hallam University which focuses on the role of design in promoting quality of life, and Helen is a Design Research Assistant for the programme. During the webinar, Claire and Helen will describe a range of projects that she and colleagues have engaged in with 3rdsector organisations over the last 10 years. These include the development of materials to promote engagement and interaction for residents in care homes, materials to support conversations about care and games to build social inclusion. They will describe ways that Lab4Living can work with your organisation as part of the Sheffield Innovations Programme.