Bridging STEM and AHSS Hearts & Minds

This event has already happened

Thursday 6 February 2025 4:00pm to 7:00pm

West Hub, West Cambridge

About

It’s true what they say: opposites attract. Join us for an event to explore the power of connecting the Arts and Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS), and STEM fields to create interdisciplinary collaborations and help create human-centred, innovative solutions. 

The evening will feature two inspiring panel discussions, a briefing on interdisciplinary research funding, and a speed-dating networking activity. We hope the relaxed environment with food and drinks will spark creativity and encourage research that transcends disciplinary boundaries.

Register: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thewesthub/1499369

Programme

Panel Discussions (4-6pm)

Panel 1: What’s the value of AHSS in STEM?

This panel will examine the practicalities of and challenges for AHSS and STEM working together. Whether addressing socio-technical dilemmas, cultural complexities and the unintended consequences of technology development, from uncovering biases in algorithms to crafting ethical frameworks for AI: How can AHSS and STEM collaborate on ethical dilemmas, societal impacts, and cultural complexities through impactful research? Chair: Dr Maya Indira Ganesh.

  • Professor Tim Minshall, Dr John C Taylor Professor of Innovation at the University of Cambridge, Head of the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) and Head of the IfM’s Centre for Technology Management (CTM) at Cambridge University
  • Dr Agnieszka (Aga) Iwasiewicz-Wabnig, Director of the Maxwell Centre at Cambridge University
  • Dr Matjaz Vidmar, Lecturer in Engineering Management and Deputy Director of the Institute for the Study of Science, Technology and Innovation (ISSTI) at the University of Edinburgh
  • Professor Joanna Page, Professor of Latin American Studies and Director of the Centre of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH) at Cambridge University

Funding for collaborative research: Briefing from Cambridge Research Office

Andrea Walker and Simeon Burke from the Cambridge Research Office will provide a brief overview of relevant funding opportunities for interdisciplinary projects. 

Panel 2: What are the nuts and bolts of award-winning interdisciplinary projects? 

This panel will spotlight real-world interdisciplinary collaborations, sharing inspiring examples of projects that have overcome translation challenges, broken boundaries, and delivered tangible societal benefits, while offering practical insights into building effective cross-disciplinary partnerships. Learn from successful collaborations in AHSS and STEM that have had real-world impacts by bridging disciplinary divides. Chair: Dr Valeria Ramirez.

  • Professor Richard Milne, Deputy Director, Kavli Centre for Ethics, Science and the Public Head of Research and Dialogue at Wellcome Connecting.
  • Professor Jennifer Schooling, Professor of Digital Innovation and Smart Places at Anglia Ruskin University
  • Professor Jennifer Richards, Fellow of the British Academy, a Fellow of the English Association, English (2001) Chair, and lead on the Leverhulme Trust-funded Being Human project at Cambridge University

Academic speed dating (6-7pm)

Following the two panels and information from the Research Support Office about grants and funding for interdisciplinary projects, early career researchers (ECRs) and postdocs can join the speed-dating hour. By the end of the hour, we hope you’ll have met your academic ‘soulmate’ and have speed-written a proposal for a collaborative project. The best proposal will win afternoon tea at an exclusive Cambridge venue, so you can develop your ideas further and in style. 

There will be time for networking drinks and nibbles after 7pm for those who want to continue the conversation informally.

How to participate

You can participate in 2 ways (both are free to attend but booking is required)

  • Just join us for the panel discussions from 4-6pm. This is open to anyone interested in learning more about collaborative projects. 
  • Join us for both the panel discussions (4-6pm) and the speed dating event (6-7pm). This is geared towards ECRs, postdocs and people actively looking for new interdisciplinary collaborations.