Every year, millions of devices are designed to fail—fast.
From smartphones to smart speakers, our technology is built on a cycle of consumption, obsolescence and waste. It’s a system that’s harmful for people and the planet—and it’s accelerating.
This session explores the environmental cost of modern tech and asks how we can build a more sustainable digital future, from design and development through to repair, reuse and recycling.
What to expect
This talk will take you on a journey through the lifecycle of modern technology—from creation to consumption, and ultimately, disposal.
You’ll hear:
- How consumer devices are deliberately designed with short life spans
- What’s being done to address this—from right to repair campaigns to circular economy initiatives
- What more we can do—individually and collectively—to fix the future of tech
Expect practical insights, hard truths and space for hopeful thinking about what comes next.
Who should attend?
This session is for anyone who cares about sustainability, technology and the future of our planet.
You might be:
- A designer, developer, product manager or technologist
- A sustainability professional or circular economy advocate
- An educator, activist, policymaker or student
- A concerned consumer who wants to understand the bigger picture
If you’ve ever felt uneasy about upgrading your phone or tossing an old laptop—this talk is for you.
About the speaker
Dr. Neelima Sailaja is an Assistant Professor at the School of Computer Science, University of Nottingham.
Her research explores the socio-technical aspects of cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT and robotics, with a focus on sustainability.
She has acquired around £2m funding from various research councils and funding bodies where she leads research on digital sustainability.
She is a member of the Government Digital Sustainability Alliance AI and Sustainability Working Group, has contributed to multiple DCMS calls for evidence and has more than 20 publications at leading computing venues.
