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!!Opportunities and Challenges in Science, Technology and Innovation
!!Foundation Future Leaders Conference 2025
!Wednesday 19th November 2025\\09:30– 18:00 (in person) / 10:00 – 16:40 (online)
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This is the annual conference organised by the [Foundation Future Leaders|https://www.foundation.org.uk/Future-Leaders]. It is open to all, and specifically targeted at early- to mid-career professionals from the civil and public sector, from industry and from the research community, with roles in science, technology and innovation.
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At the conference, we will have a keynote address, and two plenary sessions focussed on a) developments in regional science and innovation, and b) barriers to success in UK science, technology and innovation. There will also be three breakout discussion sessions, focussed on health, energy and AI.
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The conference is free to attend and all are welcome, either in person in Liverpool, or online.
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!Speakers include:

__Professor Charlotte Deane__, Executive Chair, Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council [[TBC]\\
__Professor Claire Ozanne__, Vice-Chancellor, Liverpool Hope University\\
__Liam Robinson, Leader__, Liverpool City Council\\
__Professor Richard Jones__ FRS, Chair of Materials Physics and Innovation Policy, The University of Manchester\\
__Helen Turner__, Director, Midlands Innovation [[TBC]\\
__Gareth Cross__, Deputy Director of Science, Research and Evidence, Welsh Government\\
__Sue Ferns__, Senior Deputy General Secretary, Prospect\\
__Simon Hepworth__, Director of Knowledge Exchange, Research England

!Participating in person

*The event is being held in the i3 Building, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool L16 9JD.
*A copy of the full agenda is available on the [event page of the website|https://www.foundation.org.uk/Events/2025/Foundation-Future-Leaders-Conference-2025].
*To register to attend __in person__, please click [here|https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/opportunities-and-challenges-in-science-technology-innovation-tickets-1483624774639?aff=oddtdtcreator].
*If you have any trouble registering for this event, please contact us on [office@foundation.org.uk|mailto:office@foundation.org.uk]
*The event and reception are free, and we very much hope that you can join us.

!Silman Fund

The Foundation has a very small fund to support people with potentially additional costs of attending Foundation meetings to be able to participate – such as childcare costs or sign language interpretation – along with PhD students. All the details and application forms can be found [here|https://www.foundation.org.uk/About/The-Silman-Fund].

!Participating Online

*You can also participate online via YouTube Live.
*To register to follow the livestream, please click [here|https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/opportunities-and-challenges-in-science-technology-innovation-online-tickets-1483694964579?aff=oddtdtcreator].

!Foundation Future Leaders scheme

This event is being organised by the [2025 Foundation Future Leaders|https://www.foundation.org.uk/Future-Leaders]. This is an annual scheme which brings together early- to mid-career professionals in science and technology from the civil and public sectors; from industry; and from the wider research community.
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[Applications for the 2026 scheme are now open|https://www.foundation.org.uk/Future-Leaders/Foundation-Future-Leaders-2026] and the deadline is __25%%sup th/% November 2025__.
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If you would like to discuss the Foundation Future Leaders scheme, please contact Gavin Costigan ([gavin.costigan@foundation.org.uk|mailto:gavin.costigan@foundation.org.uk]).