More than 120 researchers, industry partners and students came together to attend the National Biofilms Innovation Centre’s (NBIC) annual Research and Innovation Summit, which was hosted by the University of Liverpool.
The two-day event celebrated the partnerships, discoveries and innovations shaping the future of biofilm science and showcased the talent, ambition and collaborative spirit that continues to drive the NBIC community forward.
The Summit also provided an opportunity for University Provost, Professor Richard Black, to highlight Liverpool’s growing reputation as a City of Innovation.
Day One: Translating Research into Real-World Impact
The opening day focused on collaboration, innovation and commercialisation, bringing together NBIC’s industry members and partners, researchers and external stakeholders to showcase how collaborative research is being translated into real-world impact.
Delegates explored how partnerships across academia and industry are driving product development, delivering new technologies and services, and creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and future collaboration.
A highlight of the programme featured pitches from participants in NBIC’s recent Investor Readiness Programme. The presentations showcased promising technologies and entrepreneurial talent emerging from the NBIC community.
The growing importance of biofilm regulation and standards in supporting innovation and enabling the adoption of new technologies was discussed alongside NBIC’s leadership in the Biofilm Alliance, which is bringing together researchers, industry and regulators to help shape standards and address regulatory challenges across the biofilm sector.
Dr Emmanuel Adukwu from the UWE Bristol delivered the keynote address on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Drawing on his experience in microbiology, higher education and EDI leadership, Dr Adukwu explored the importance of creating inclusive cultures in STEM, addressing barriers to participation and increasing representation.
Day Two: Showcasing Emerging Talent and Future Impact
The second day showcased the excellent research being undertaken by PhD students from NBIC’s BITE (Biofilms Innovation, Technology and Engineering) Doctoral Training Programme and NBIC Research Fellows.
Since its launch, the programme has enrolled 71 doctoral researchers, helping to develop the next generation of interdisciplinary scientists equipped to tackle global biofilm challenges.
Presentations showcased innovative projects spanning NBIC’s four strategic themes: Prevent, Detect, Manage and Engineer biofilms (PDME).
A policy engagement session explored how researchers can engage effectively with policymakers to maximise the impact of their work and contribute to evidence-informed decision-making.
Delegates also took part in a panel discussion which offered practical advice on building professional relationships, identifying collaboration opportunities and turning conversations into tangible outcomes such as projects, publications and careers.
The Summit concluded with the presentation of awards recognising outstanding contributions from NBIC’s early-career researchers and highlighted the exceptional quality of research and communication skills demonstrated throughout the event.
Celebrating a Collaborative Community
Professor Rasmita Raval, NBIC Co-Director, University of Liverpool said:
“The energy throughout the event was truly inspiring. The quality of the research on show, coupled with the willingness of participants to share knowledge and drive innovation demonstrated the strength of our community and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.”
Professor Jo Slater-Jefferies, NBIC CEO said:
“Bringing our community together at the annual NBIC Summit is always incredibly rewarding. Over the two days, we saw outstanding research, thought-provoking discussions and countless examples of new connections being made. Seeing researchers, industry partners and stakeholders come together with such enthusiasm reinforces the importance of collaboration in driving innovation and delivering impact.”
About the NBIC
The National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) is an Innovation Knowledge Centre (IKC) funded by BBSRC and Innovate UK. NBIC was launched in 2017 by its four lead Universities (Edinburgh, Liverpool, Nottingham and Southampton) and is led by four Co-Directors: Professors Cait MacPhee, Rasmita Raval, Kim Hardie and Jeremy Webb respectively and CEO, Jo Slater-Jefferies. With a consortium of 72 academic partner institutions across the UK, and over 300 SMEs and multinationals, NBIC is the central hub where academia, industry, government and public policy come together to tackle the grand challenges biofilms present, impacting $5 trillion per annum in global economic activity – from food and health to ships, clean water and energy.