Talk 200 The University of Manchester

Professor Richard Jones, Professor of Materials Physics and Innovation Policy and Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement, and Professor Aline Miller, Professor of Biomolecular Engineering and Associate Dean for Business Engagement and Innovation in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, join host Andy Spinoza to talk innovation, economy and commercialisation at the University and across Manchester – and discuss how we’re converting ideas into impact.
The group dive into the University’s remarkable history of path-breaking research delivering truly radical solutions – from world-changing nuclear breakthroughs at the beginning of the last century to kickstarting the computer revolution and artificial intelligence research around its middle, to the isolation of graphene at the start of the 21st century.
They consider how at Manchester today we bring together expertise across economics, politics, sociology, education, innovation and beyond to address the myriad of challenges that exist on a local, national and international scale; and how through our work in areas such as digital and AI, advanced materials and biotechnology – and the positive benefits delivered for the environment and health – our commitment to innovation and delivering real-world impact continues.
Find out more about the University’s innovative work and partnerships:
Christabel Pankhurst Institute
Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre
Henry Royce Institute Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst (IBIC)
Innovation District (ID) Manchester Manchester Innovation Factory
Masood Entrepreneurship Centre
The Productivity Institute Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester

Host Andy Spinoza is joined by Professor Alice Larkin, Professor of Climate Science and Energy Policy from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research in The University of Manchester’s School of Engineering; Dr Aneeqa Khan of the University’s Dalton Nuclear Institute, and Research Fellow in Nuclear Fusion in the School of Engineering; and Aidan Rhode, a Manchester third-year BSc Geography with Professional Placement Year student, currently on placement at the US Department of Energy Headquarters in Washington DC. He joins on a screen attached to a robot provided by the Autonomy and Verification Group from Manchester’s Centre for Robotics and AI. 
The group discuss the past, present and future of energy challenges and the crucial, ongoing interdisciplinary work at Manchester to provide the solutions needed to deliver rapid carbon emission reductions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. 
At Manchester, our commitment to addressing global energy challenges is unwavering. As one of the world’s leading research institutions, we’re at the forefront of providing innovative solutions to mitigate climate change while transforming our energy systems – to enable a just and prosperous future for all. 
Our research and engagement work extends across the whole energy system, from technological innovation through to societal interventions that tackle inequalities, health and environmental sustainability.
This podcast episode was recorded on 11 March 2024.
Further information
Find out more about the work of: 
Tyndall Manchester Dalton Nuclear Institute Centre for Robotics and AI Watch Professor Alice Larkin’s 2015 TED Talk: ‘Climate change is happening. Here’s how we adapt’. 
Watch Dr Aneeqa Khan discuss the science behind the ITER project on Sky News. 
Find out more on our Talk 200 webpage or discover more about our wider bicentenary celebrations.

Find out what to expect from the Talk 200 podcast from series host Andy Spinoza.

In this panel discussion to accompany the first lecture of our Talk 200 series, Professor Sir Chris Whitty is joined by Professor of Nursing Dame Nicky Cullum, Jade Pilkington, Director of Population Health at NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, and Chair Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, our President and Vice-Chancellor. 
If you haven’t seen Professor Whitty’s lecture yet, head to manchester.ac.uk/talk200 to watch the full talk, with accompanying slides, as he discusses the main drivers of inequalities and disparities in health, how these have changed over time, and why addressing them remains a major public health priority. 
Discover how The University of Manchester is addressing health inequalities – creating fairer healthcare systems and healthier lifestyles. 
Find out more on our Talk 200 webpage or discover more about our wider bicentenary celebrations.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, the UK government’s Chief Medical Adviser, and head of the public health profession, discusses how as a society we face the hard truth that the more socio-economically disadvantaged someone is, the higher their risk of poor health. The world’s greatest killer is not any one individual disease, but the unequal way in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.   
In Greater Manchester, our unique health and social care ecosystem means we can rapidly drive innovation and translate breakthroughs into real-world solutions – which can be scaled-up and replicated across the globe. We have the opportunity to create real and lasting change.
Discover how The University of Manchester is addressing health inequalities – creating fairer healthcare systems and healthier lifestyles.
This lecture was recorded on Tuesday, 13 February 2024 at the Whitworth and marked the launch of The University of Manchester’s Talk 200 lecture and podcast series.
Please note, this is an audio recording of Professor Whitty’s live lecture. For the full experience, including seeing Professor Whitty’s accompanying slides, you can watch the video recording on our YouTube channel or bicentenary website.
Find out more on our Talk 200 webpage or discover more about our wider bicentenary celebrations.
Episode chapters:(00:00) Introduction(02:10) Lecture(26:48) Q+A(33:36) Outro