We're thrilled to announce a special event to mark the launch of Brunel's Institute of Digital Futures; an opportunity to encounter the compelling multidisciplinary "digital" research activities taking place across Brunel and our vision for digital futures.

We hope you'll join us on Thursday 29 October, for presentations introducing the Brunel Research Strategy 2030 and the scope of the Institute of Digital Futures, as well as a keynote from Dr Mike Short, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for International Trade.

In addition to discussions on future funding opportunities and research collaborations between industry and the Institute, we're hosting a special virtual showcase of our many research projects and innovative activities.

Programme:

10:00 - 11:00

Welcome -- Professor Julia Buckingham, Vice Chancellor and President, Brunel University London

Brunel Research Strategy 2030 -- Professor Rebecca Lingwood, Provost, Brunel University London

Research and Impact -- Professor Geoff Rodgers, Vice-Provost for Research, Brunel University London

Digital Technologies and the Future -- Dr Mike Short, Chief Scientific Adviser at Department for International Trade (DIT)

Introducing the Institute of Digital Futures -- Professor Abdul H. Sadka, Director of the Institute of Digital Futures, Brunel University London

11:10 - 12:30

Breakout Room Discussions on Future Funding Opportunities and Collaborations

Innovative Data Technologies

Artificial Intelligence

Digital Health and Smart Technologies

Autonomous Systems / Robotics

12:30 - 15:00

Virtual Showcase -- Join us for a specially designed virtual showcase, where you'll encounter our many research projects, interactive installations, and engage in our networking hub.

The Institute of Digital Futures (IDF) pulls together expertise from across the three academic colleges at Brunel University London to deliver on the “Digital” Strategic Challenge Area of the Brunel Research Strategy 2030 while putting user communities at the heart of the development processes, thereby enhancing the global citizen’s quality of life.

The new interdisciplinary Institute builds on the business engagement and entrepreneurship successes of the Brunel Digital Science and Technology Hub, which have seen Brunel’s digital experts partner with key business players in the international digital sector, including being the first, and as yet the only, academic partner of the O2 Innovation Lab.

The principal aims of the IDF are:

• Creation of an inclusive “Digital” research environment across the University.
• Alignment with the UK’s Industrial Strategy and UKRI priorities on “AI and Big Data” and “Future of Mobility”.
• Alignment with existing strengths and opportunities within the “Digital” sphere at Brunel.
• Highly regarded recognition by industry and the public sector.
• Alignment with the Brunel 2030 Research Strategy enhancing the University-wide challenge-led approach and success.

Aligned with two of the Grand Challenges of the UK’s Industrial Strategy and our industrial partners’ innovation strategies, IDF builds on our existing strengths and opportunities to support and facilitate challenge-led Digital research activities across Brunel to further strengthen the existing “Brunel Digital” brand which has a growing external recognition, and consolidate the University’s reputation for digital science and technology innovation and advancement, and its societal impacts.

The current Priority Challenges of the IDF are:

• Innovative Data Technologies
• Media Connectivity and IoT
• AI, Robotics and Autonomous Systems
• Software, Cyber Security and Gaming
• Smart Technologies and Quality Engineering
• Advanced and Ethical AI practices