RKE Festival Day 2 - Clean Energy and Sustainability

Lancashire has a strong industry of clean energy production, nuclear and advanced low-carbon technologies. The sector is a key driver of regional economic growth, whilst securing our energy security nation-wide.

The RKE Day 2 event explores the need for sustainable energy systems, technologies and practices. We'll explore how to address climate change, environmental challenges, and energy security.

The day will highlight the transformative potential of clean growth and how it creates new industries, jobs, and a more sustainable future.

About the RKE Festival

The RKE Festival runs across 5 days: Monday 18th to Friday 22nd May 2026. There are over 65 events taking place and all are free of charge.

Our programme includes:

• Themed events for a particular industrial sector

• General events on research and knowledge exchange

• Exhibitions – drop in at a time that suits you

• Media – podcasts and short online films

The festival is open to the general public, businesses, and university staff and students.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Info: FOR ALL:

The event is the final of the Dragons' Den. The best of the applications from Staff and Students will be presenting their ideas and concepts to the Dragons.

The event will include approximately 14 pitches every half hour over the day (with some brief breaks), with the winning entrants being revealed at the closing ceremony of the event on Friday 22nd May.

Info: FOR ALL:
Posters, Experiments, Art & Ideas Come Alive
Dive into a whirlwind of creativity at this year’s Research Showcase. Explore everything from eye catching posters and short research films to sculpture, fashion, digital art, and science experiments. This interactive event invites colleagues from across the university to discover research in surprising formats, spark new ideas, and connect with the inspiring researchers behind the work.
Drop in anytime 09:00 - 17:00

Info: FOR ALL:

This photo exhibition highlights the amazing research going on across the University, with colleagues and students showcasing the essence, complexity, impact, and excitement of their research and knowledge exchange activity through compelling images. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote on their favourite images, with the winners being awarded on Thursday 21st May. The categories being awarded are:
• Colleagues
• Post-graduate Research Students
• Research Groups
• People’s Choice Award. Awarded to the image receiving the most votes from colleagues and students

Drop in any time between 09:00 and 17:00 to see the fantastic images and learn a little more about the work we do at the University of Lancashire!

Info: FOR ALL:

This event will provide a focused discussion on evidence-based strategies that connect sustainability with coastal disaster risk. As climate change intensifies sea-level rise, erosion, and coastal flooding, the integration of sustainability into disaster risk reduction is essential for building resilient futures.

Highlights
• Expert presentations, including a keynote address and early career researcher (ECR) talks, will address topics such as coastal risk, climate adaptation, and sustainability.
• The program will feature real-world case studies and provide policy insights.
• Attendees will be introduced to practical tools for disaster and climate risk assessment and resilience planning.
• The event will include interactive discussions and opportunities for professional networking.

The event is designed for researchers, policymakers, industry professionals, and postgraduate students engaged in climate change, coastal management, sustainability, and disaster risk reduction.

Info: FOR ALL:

What does it really mean for a business to be sustainable – and how can organisations prove they are making a genuine difference rather than simply making promises?

With sustainability now central to long-term business resilience and competitiveness, organisations face growing pressure to demonstrate real impact rather than symbolic commitment. This panel explores how businesses can move beyond rhetoric to embed environmental, financial, and social responsibility into their core strategies.

Against the backdrop of the UK’s commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, panellists from Fairtrade and purpose-driven enterprises, including a B Corp-certified organisation, will discuss how sustainability can be operationalised across diverse organisational contexts. The panel will address the tensions, trade-offs, and innovations involved in aligning commercial success with ethical and environmental goals.

Info: FOR UNIVERSITY STAFF:

This event gives mid career researchers a relaxed, friendly space to share what they are working on and meet new colleagues. We are planning short research presentations and a fast paced networking activity to help people connect quickly and spark new ideas. The exact format is still being developed, but expect a lively, supportive and enjoyable session focused on sharing, learning and making new links across the university.

Info: FOR ALL: Join us for an inspiring laboratory tour that showcases practical, achievable ways to make your research environment more sustainable. You’ll explore real examples of energy efficient equipment use, waste reduction strategies, greener procurement choices, and smarter day to day lab behaviours that significantly cut environmental impact without compromising scientific output. Whether you’re a researcher, technician, or regular lab user, you’ll gain clear, actionable steps to reduce your lab’s carbon footprint and contribute to a culture of responsible science. The tour also highlights how your efforts can be formally recognised through green lab certification schemes, helping you and your team demonstrate leadership in sustainability and celebrate your commitment to creating a greener research future.

Info: FOR ALL:

AI Opportunities (AIport) brings together leading researchers, industry specialists, knowledge-transfer advisors, health sector innovators, and University of Lancashire alumni to demystify AI and showcase its transformative power across engineering, clean energy, healthcare, and beyond.

This morning’s session will include talks from former University of Lancashire PhD students from the Computer Vision and Machine Learning Research Group, who have gone on to roles at prominent organisations, for example, LEGO, Amentum, and Big Data Institute, University of Oxford.

Designed for beginners and experts alike, AIport offers a unique opportunity to learn, engage, and imagine new possibilities for AI driven innovation across Lancashire, the UK, and beyond.

Info: FOR ALL:

In-line with the university’s commitment to advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across the research lifecycle, the LIFE Institute team has created an innovative board game designed to spark meaningful discussion and further the understanding of our researchers. This interactive session invites you to play the game, connect with colleagues from diverse disciplines, and explore how playful approaches can deepen understanding of how to practically embed EDI principles throughout research. By engaging in collaborative gameplay, you’ll experience how board games can foster dialogue, reflection, and shared learning. Your feedback will be invaluable in shaping the next stage of the game’s development, ensuring it continues to support inclusive practices across the university community. Join us to test, play, and contribute to building a more equitable research culture.

Info: FOR UNIVERSITY STAFF

Info: AI Opportunities (AIport) brings together leading researchers, industry specialists, knowledge-transfer advisors, health sector innovators, and University of Lancashire alumni to demystify AI and showcase its transformative power across engineering, clean energy, healthcare, and beyond.
This afternoon session will feature contributions from experts drawn from engineering, the health sector, including industry partners involved in the Doctoral Training Centre for Industrial Collaboration. Additional insight will be provided by Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Advisers, with further speakers to be confirmed.

Info: The panel discussion will bring together all participating speakers from today's sessions. They will share their perspectives on future AI opportunities and the key challenges that must be addressed. This will be an open and interactive session, inviting the audience to ask questions, contribute comments, and take part in a wider discussion on the direction and potential of AI.

Info: FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND STAFF:

This in-person event is designed to promote a community of learning for doctoral candidates on the PhD by Portfolio pathway. All-comers are welcome, whether starting out and wishing to learn more about this new PhD format, or sharing experiences of ongoing portfolio research, supervision, and/or examining a portfolio thesis.

Guidance and experiences will be shared on:
1. The importance of signposting in thesis planning and thesis construction in preparation for submission (e.g. Managing your Contents Page, in-text navigation makers, headings and spacing)
2. Preparing for viva voce examination – a PGR workshop - typical examiner perspectives
3. Goldmine Researcher Community – an introduction. Networking and making connections
4. PhD by Portfolio Doctoral Alumni at the University of Lancashire: successes, resources, and helpful information

This one-day workshop event dovetails with the PGR Annual Conference on the 20th and 21st.

Info: FOR ALL:

The Centre for Education Research and Scholarship warmly welcomes colleagues from higher education, further education, schools, and health and social care practice to our first education research showcase. This friendly, collaborative event brings together practitioners, academics, and research students to share ideas, explore emerging areas of education research, and spark meaningful new connections across the region and beyond.

Across the showcase, you’ll be able to explore a range of hands-on activities, including demonstrations, poster presentations, and lightning talks highlighting ongoing education research across the University. Topics include:
• Dipping your toe into research: sharing collective experiences as a research method
• Creating and sharing open education resources
• Using LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® to explore professional identity
• Student perceptions on the feedback experience
• Emotions in learning
• Interprofessional Education in action

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

University of Lancashire, Fylde Road, Preston, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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