UCM (University College Isle of Man) and UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man are celebrating the success of the 8th Annual Research Festival, which took place at the Villa Marina on 22 and 23 October 2026 under the theme "Our Biosphere".
The two-day event brought together researchers, students, businesses, policymakers, educators, environmental organisations and community groups, from both on and off the Island, to share knowledge, showcase research and explore the unique opportunities and challenges of living and working as part of our UNESCO Biosphere.
300 people attended the festival, making it one of the largest and most diverse research gatherings held on the Island to date.
The festival opened with the 5th Biosphere Isle of Man Annual Lecture, delivered by Scottish researcher, educator and creative practitioner Dr Mairi McFadyen. Her keynote, Songs, Stories and Stewardship: Culture and Nature in a Living Biosphere, explored the powerful connections between culture, language, heritage and our sense of place, and how they deepen our relationship with the places we call home. Delivered during Blein ny Gaelgey (Year of the Manx Language), the lecture highlighted how cultural identity can play a central role in shaping sustainable futures.
With the recent launch of the State of the Biosphere report, marking our tenth year as a UNESCO Biosphere, the Research Festival encapsulates much of what it means to be part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Research and learning are at the heart of Biosphere, and the ‘Three Legs of Biosphere’ – community, economy, and environment – were explored throughout the festival programme. Across the two days, delegates heard from an impressive line-up of speakers covering subjects as varied as climate change, biodiversity, artificial intelligence, public health, education, sustainability, behavioural science, archaeology, transportation, neuroscience, language preservation and space innovation.
Presentations included pioneering work on the Manx Blue Carbon Project, environmental DNA (eDNA) research in marine and freshwater environments, the future of the circular economy on the Isle of Man, the impact of AI in education, public transport provision in island communities, and the role of mindfulness technology in tackling academic procrastination. Researchers from local organisations, UK universities, government departments, charities and independent research backgrounds all contributed to the programme. Macey Clarke won the Manx Graduate Dissertation Competition.
Building on the success of this year's event, planning will begin shortly for Research Festival 2027. Organisations interested in supporting the festival through sponsorship opportunities are invited to contact UCM.
Video recordings of all the presentations will be available soon.