UCM to host fourth Research Festival

On 23 September University College Isle of Man (UCM) is hosting the fourth annual Research Festival at The Nunnery.

This year UCM will be welcoming two renowned academics from international universities to showcase their research.

The Research Festival brings together students, academics and independent researchers to facilitate collaboration between researchers and industry. The theme for this year’s event is in line with the Government’s Island Plan, with the programme of discourses split into the three strands of the plan; Secure, Vibrant and Sustainable.

The two academics visiting the Island are Professor Brandtjen, Academic Head of Campus Berlin at the IU International University of Applied Science and Dr Henry Uniacke, Diocesan Environment Officer for the Church of England, as well as a live streamed presentation by Dr Colleen McLean & Casey Zaitzew from Youngstown State University in Ohio.

Chief Minister Alf Cannan MHK will open the event, followed by the keynote address by Dr Uniacke on when, how and why research gets applied within communities.

Professor Brandtjen will present a number of sessions throughout the day including micro-nations and their higher than average GDP prosperity, comparing the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, the Faroe Islands and Val d’Aran; Sustainable Development Goals in large company sized communities; the Isle of Man Biosphere and the impact of Brexit on the identity of small British European nations.

Professor Brandtjen commented: ‘I’m thrilled to be visiting the Island again and it’s an honour to be presenting at the Research Festival. I’m extremely interested in micro-nations like the Isle of Man which is why much of my research has focussed on this area. I’m looking forward to hearing how my research is received on the Island and to see how the research can provide insight to the local industry with these important topics.’

Dr Uniacke added: ‘I’m so pleased to be returning to the Island for this special event. It is so important that we seek to learn from the process that this festival offers, in developing a path ahead for ourselves and for the Island community. Not least, by engaging and inspiring the fresh minds and hearts of a new generation in negotiating the challenges that we face.’

Other highlights from the programme include:

• ‘What it means to be a healthy, diverse, equitable, inclusive society’ being presented by Ella Magee from Removing Barriers
• ‘Weight management pathways in Health & Social Care in the Isle of Man’ being presented by UCM Lecturer Sophie Hinks
• ‘Autism, access and archaeology; improving access to archaeological sites on the Isle of Man for people with autism’ presented by UCM graduate Sarah Kerruish.

To see the full itinerary and book your free place, click here.