Join us for our 7th Annual Research Festival - in partnership with Biosphere Isle of Man
Date: Thursday 16th & Friday 17th October 2025
Location: Colonnade & Promenade Suites, Villa Marina
Theme: Our Biosphere
How to book:
Booking is essential.
To book a place at the keynote address (which has a small cost) please purchase your ticket through this eventbrite link.,
Tickets for the rest of the Research Festival are free and can be selected by viewing our Research Festival collection on Eventbrite and signing up for the sessions that you would like to attend.
How to get involved
- Attend the event (full itinerary below, please book your tickets on Eventbrite)
- Are you a Manx Graduate? Enter our Manx Graduate Dissertation Competition.
What is the Research Festival
Hosted by UCM in partnership with researchers on and off the Island (and this year in partnership with Biosphere Isle of Man), Research Vannin is taking a collaborative approach to promoting a vibrant and productive research community through the sharing of resources, events and networking opportunities. Our goal is to facilitate collaboration between researchers, on and off-Island; promote the reputation of Island-based research, and educate.
The Research Festival offers students, independent researchers and guests alike the opportunity to listen to presentations, participate in research workshops and network over coffee and lunch.
Itinerary
Thursday 16th October
6pm: Official opening of the 2025 Research Festival by Hon Alfred Cannan MHK, Chief Minister
6.05pm: Keynote Lecture (Biosphere Isle of Man's annual lecture) - Living in a laboratory - co-creating the future of Isle of Man Biosphere. Presented by Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth,Powys (CAT provides people with the skills, knowledge and inspiration to work together to create a safer, healthier, fairer future for all).
7.15pm - 7.45pm: refreshments & networking
7.45pm - 9pm: continuation of Keynote Lecture
Friday 17th October
9am: Registration and informal networking
9.15am - 10am
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Reimagining our Biosphere: Systemic Tools for a Regenerative Economy in the Isle of Man - presented by Ali Hodgson MA (RCA) - GraphicArtist, Designer, Systems Thinker
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The Manx Low Carbon Heat Scheme Presented by Steve Foden, Net Zero IOM
9.15am - 11am - eDNA surveys on the Island (Fish species detection in the Island’s rivers, A large-scale bacterial survey of the waters around Peel bay and the marina & Various method developments and improvements which are cutting-edge in the environmental testing arena) presented by Dr. Rachel Glover, Managing Director / Chief Scientist
10.15am - 11am:
- Peaceful Connections: Exploring Creativity and Well-being through Biosphere Engagement presented by Colette Davies Cert Ed, MA, MFA&Ed, FHEA Lecturer in Fine Art and Critical and Contextual Studies at UCM
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New Anti-Cancer drugs development: Towards the Total Synthesis of JBIR-23 and JBIR-24 as a Potential Anti Mesothelioma compound presented by James P. Stanley a and Adrian P. Dobbs a a University of Surrey, Guilford, PhD student focused on developing new anti-cancer drugs
11am: Break
11.30am - 12.15pm:
- The use of VR and mindful fractals for alleviating menopause symptoms and promoting sexual well-being presented by Professor Samantha Banbury, London Metropolitan University
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THE ROAD TO CARBON ZERO a twenty year plus research project into Sustainable housing and how to adapt our lifestyle to embrace the concept, presented by John Sheppard, Technical Director, Wren Sustainable Limited
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A stakeholder’s perspective on some of the factors influencing the relationship between UNESCO Biosphere status and the Isle of Man’s place brand, presented by Dr Florida Clements DBA MScEng MBA CertEd FHEA, Lecturer, Programme Leader in Business Management
12.30pm - 1.15pm:
- A Meitheal for Mothers: Community Singing and The Maternal Experience, presented by Sarah McCarthy, Victoria College, London
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Joint DOI / DEFA research project to develop a method of water treatment to remove heavy metals (lead, magnesium, zinc, etc) that are dissolved into water from the old lead and zinc mines on the Island, presented by Jeremy Reece B. Eng, C. Eng, FICE, FPWI, MAPM, Senior Project Manager, Department of Infrastructure
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From the Mouths of Manx Mothers: An introduction to maternal health during the medieval period of the Isle of Man (AD500 – 1500), presented by Dr. Marie C. Weale, Manx National Heritage, Dr. Christopher Aris, Keele University, Sarah Kerruish, Independent Researcher and Archaeologist, & Allison Fox, Manx National Heritage
1.15pm: lunch break & networking opportunity
2pm - 2.45pm:
- Misinformation, its socio-cultural implications, and strategies for resilience and counteractions, presented by Dr Jasbeer Musthafa Mamalipurath, FHEA, Lecturer in Media Studies, Queen’s University Belfast
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The search for dark skies: light pollution and its effects on astronomy, wildlife, nature and the environment. Can the IOM gain International Dark Sky status? Presented by Howard Parkin MBE BSc BEd FRAS
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Spuds, herring and Ellan Vannin: exploring local food and drink as tools for social group formation and demarcation on the Isle of Man, presented by Ben Johnston, BA (Hons) Politics, International Relations and History
3pm - 3.45pm:
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Can an Island afford to meet its climate commitments? Presented by David G. Quirk, Adrian Cowin, Rebecca Keeley & Ralph Peake, Energy & Sustainability Centre IOM
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Cannabis companies: opportunities and challenges for a sustainable future, presented by Dr Vasileios “Bill” Kallinterakis, Durham University
4pm - 4.30pm: UNESCO IOM Biosphere Update - Where we are now presented by Jaqui Kennan, Coordinator, UBIOM, and Interactions: Climate Change and UBIOM presented by Dr Douglas G. Fox, Senior Research Scientist (Emeritus) at Colorado State University, USA, UCM Honary Fellow.
4.30pm: closing remarks, networking and announcement of the Manx Graduate Research Project Prize
5pm: event end
Stands & exhibits:
- IOM Biosphere Artist in Residence Exhibition
- IOM Biosphere Photographer in Residence Exhibitiob
- Tynwald, Parliamentary Research Services
- IOM Government Public Records Office
- The Hive (UCM Library) & TELG
- Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian society
- CAT, Machynlleth, Wales
- IOM Biosphere
- Earthscope
- Department of Health & Social Care - Human Tissue and Organ Donation Act
- Research Posters
- Manx Graduate Dissertation Competition entries
Refreshments
There will be complementary tea & coffee available.
You will be able to purchase lunch on site from the catering van which will be outside the main entrance.
Previous events
If you missed the Research Festival in previous years you can watch the presentations from: