After a five-month consultation with industry and academic contributors, we're delighted to be able to announce the official launch of the InterAct Network.

The InterAct Network is a collaborative effort that aims to bring together UK manufacturers, digital technology providers, and social scientists to address the human issues faced by employers resulting from the adoption of new technologies.

We want to build a strong, vibrant, interdisciplinary community where funding can be effectively distributed to researchers who will generate actionable economic and social science insights to benefit UK business.

What is InterAct?

The UK Government has invested a total of £147 million into the Made Smarter Innovation challenge to help UK manufacturing become more productive and competitive through the innovation and diffusion of digital technology.

In a world faced with the looming danger of climate change, the InterAct Network also needs to support manufacturing's efforts to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

Whilst technology is important, there are many social and economic factors that will be hugely influential in achieving these aims. The InterAct Network has two primary roles:

1. Develop and support the creation of an effective digital innovation ecosystem to accelerate the innovation and diffusion of Industrial Digital Technologies.

2. Ensure that the full range and depth of social and economic science insights are accessed across the Made Smarter challenge and wider UK manufacturing sector

What will the event cover?

This online event will feature an introduction to InterAct and "the Future of Manufacturing" from the project Co-Directors Jillian MacBryde and Jan Godsell. This will be followed by an opportunity for attendees to discuss the themes of the network, share their thoughts and ask questions about the project.

Finally, we will be providing more details on our first funding call for researchers which will be explored further at our in-person workshop day in January 2022.

How to connect:

Please bear in mind that this is a virtual event and will be hosted through Microsoft Teams. Once you have booked you will be able to join the live-stream through the event page at the appropriate date and time.

We look forward to seeing you there!