The Pankhurst Seminar Series
The Pankhurst Seminar Series provides an opportunity to experience talk and discussion from a wide range of disciplines and perspectives, reflecting the diverse and inter-disciplinary character of the Christabel Pankhurst Institute. The series is open to anyone with an interest in health technology and we welcome topic and speaker suggestions from the community.
The series includes general seminars on the broad topic of health technology research and innovation as well as themed seminars on Digital Health Inequities (delivered by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester), Prediction Modelling, Advanced Materials in Medicine, and the International Centre for Translational Digital Health (ICTDH). These seminars are usually run hybrid, and where possible, are recorded and uploaded to our YouTube page.
Health Technology Seminar Series
The Health Technology Seminar Series is designed to foster knowledge exchange and develop research and innovation networks across the Greater Manchester healthcare technology community. Our events are curated to advance interdisciplinary healthcare technology research and its impact on patient care and well-being. The events are hybrid (online and person options available) and held regularly, showcasing ideas and inviting speakers from both within and outside the University of Manchester. The series is open to anyone with an interest in health technology and we welcome topic and speaker suggestions from the community.
Upcoming Seminars
Previous Seminars
3rd October 2023 | Pankhurst Seminar Series
The Centre for Ethics and Social Policy seminar included talks by Professor Soren Holm, Dr Jonathan Lewis, Professor Sarah Devaney, Dr Catherine Bowden, and Dr Lucy Frith, and was hosted by Dr Robert Meckin.
14th December 2023 | Pankhurst Seminar Series
Collaboration is MORE than just working together; it’s about creating an alchemical blend of diverse perspectives and talents that elevates our collective intelligence. There are loads of tools out there for getting into collaboration, but if you don’t have the right mindset nothing is going to happen. If having information got results, everyone would have results, right now. It’s having the mindset, the support and the community that will make the difference.
Join us for an engaging session with Annette Bramley, Executive Director of the N8 Research Partnership and co-author of the book Research Collaboration: a step by step guide to success, to explore the fascinating world of mindsets for collaboration.
The Advanced Materials in Medicine (AMM) Seminar
The Advanced Materials in Medicine (AMM) Seminars focus on multidisciplinary projects and facilities at the University of Manchester, which discover new advanced materials and their uses to address unmet biological and clinical needs. Each hybrid seminar consists of short talks over 1 hour. The seminar welcomes anyone with an interest in advanced materials used in clinical settings.
Upcoming Seminars
21st February 2024 AMM Seminar
Title: ‘Exploring the application of organoid technology in nanotoxicity and beyond’. Dr Rahaf Issa, Research Associate/ Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine.
Title: ‘Biophysics, Metabolism, Tissue Morphogenesis – using 2D and 3D bio-fabrication techniques’. Dr. John-Robert Davis, Research Fellow, Division of Molecular and Cellular Function.
Rahaf is a post-doctoral research associate in the Nano-Cell Biology Lab at the Centre for Nanotechnology in Medicine (FBMH). Her research focuses on the development of advanced in vitro models for toxicity assessment of nanomaterials. As part of the EU Graphene Flagship project, Rahaf developed a hESC-derived lung organoid nanomaterial exposure model and validated its suitability using graphene oxide and multi-walled carbon nanotube exposures. Rahaf is currently working on PLASTICHEAL, an EU funded project that aims at developing tools to study the impact and mode of action of micro/nanoplastics on human health. She is also involved in developing organoid models that better recapitulate glioblastoma in vitro.
John-Robert joined the University of Manchester in October 2022 where he has been establishing the Hungry Tissue lab on a Wellcome ISSF and a Dean’s prize fellowship. The Hungry Tissue lab is interested in understanding how metabolism and nutrients impact how tissues generate their shape during morphogenesis. To examine this question the Hungry Tissue lab employ biofabrication techniques to mimic 2D and 3D morphogenesis as well as Drosophila embryogenesis as model systems.
Christabel Pankhurst Institute, Emmeline Suite B (Ground Floor). It will be held hybrid.
Register via Eventbrite: Advanced Materials in Medicine Seminar Tickets, Wed 21 Feb 2024 at 13:00 | Eventbrite
Here are the Teams links for those joining virtually: Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 378 280 693 800Passcode: 9wPDa3
Digital Health Inequities Seminars
Digital health inequities are health inequities caused or exacerbated by introducing digital technology in health and social care settings. Digital health inequities are an increasingly important topic within health research and policy, and in keeping with this growing importance, the Pankhurst Digital Health Inequities Programme aims to establish a collaborative programme of research on tackling digital health inequities. As part of this programme we organise monthly seminars on topics relevant to digital health inequities on every second Wednesday of the month. Please contact us at digital-inequities@manchester.ac.uk if you would like to receive seminar details.
Find details of upcoming and past DHI Seminars here
International Centre for Translational Digital Health (ICTDH)
About ICTDH the seminar series:
The International Centre for Translational Digital Health is a joint collaboration between the University of Toronto, the University of Manchester and the University of Melbourne. The mission of the Centre is to advance the field of Digital Health in Canada, the UK, and Australia through the development, implementation, and translation of new technologies, policies, and service delivery models. The Centre brings together experts from a broad range of disciplines from each institution to share and develop knowledge, engage in collaborative activity, and leverage each other’s distinct national research environments. Its impact is the creation and commercialisation of new technologies, the translation of theory into more effective public policy, and the strengthening of health services delivery.
The International Centre for Translational Digital Health (ICTDH) will host a monthly seminar series, led by the Hub Leads. The purpose of the seminar series is to build an international community in the area of translational digital health and to facilitate the exchange of ideas and international collaborations in translational digital health.
Upcoming Seminars
To be announced
Previous Seminars
ICTDH Seminar: Digital Solutions for Remote Management of Chronic Disease, 26 April 2023
Speaker and Topic: Noor El-Dassouki & Raima Lohani: Digital Solutions for Remote Management of Chronic Disease
ICTDH Seminar: Digital health technologies for individuals with complex care needs, 12 June 2023
Speaker and Topic: Carolyn Steele-Gray: Digital health technologies for individuals with complex care needs
ICTDH Seminar: Optimising digital health interventions: Lessons from the Validitron, 19 June 2023
Speaker and Topic: Olivia Metcalf: Optimising digital health interventions: Lessons from the Validitron, a dedicated virtual and physical space for digital health tools
ICTDH Seminar: An Ethical Approach to the Adoption of Technology in RAC, 21 June 2023
Speaker and Topic: Reeva Lederman: An Ethical Approach to the Adoption of Technology in Residential Aged Care
ICTDH Seminar: Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care Solutions, 10 July 2023
Topic: Developing remote monitoring and virtual care solutions for people across the lifespan: lessons on intervention design and evaluation
ICTDH Seminar Mental health digital phenotyping research, 19 Sep
Topic: Mental health digital phenotyping research within CIS
Speakers: Dr Simon D’Alfonso
AI in Healthcare Seminar
The AI in Healthcare Seminars facilitate conversations on the wide-ranging application of artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector. Spanning the wide range of applications of AI in this sector, our mission is to gather anyone with an interest in AI in Healthcare together in a single group to discuss and promote how AI is to be actualised and taught in one of society’s most important roles, the health of the general public. Based out of the University of Manchester, utilising the modern facilities of the Pankhurst Institute, we welcome anyone working in this domain to join us in one of the most exciting conversations currently being engaged.
Upcoming seminars
28th March 2024 AI in Healthcare Seminar
Title: AI & Digital Healthcare Technology Framework
Speaker: Dr. Alan Davies has a background in Computer Science and Nursing and has worked previously in interventional cardiology and subsequently authored several medical text books on electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation. Alan has also worked as a software engineer/app developer in academia and industry where he more recently worked at the University of Manchester as a Data Scientist/Research Software Engineer before becoming a Senior Lecturer of Health Data Science in the Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health. His research interests include workforce development, UX and the application of technology to healthcare and health related mobile application interventions. Alan is currently the programme director for the university’s new Clinical Data Science programme.
Abstract: Dr Alan Davies will discuss creation and application of the “AI and Digital Healthcare Technologies Framework” he developed for NHS England
To attend please register for the event here: Pankhurst Institute Seminar Series: AI & Digital Healthcare Tech Framework Tickets, Thu 28 Mar 2024 at 10:00 | Eventbrite
21st May 2024 AI in Healthcare Seminar
The Pankhurst Seminar Series, AI in Healthcare theme is delighted to host Professor Alex Frangi on 21st May 2024 at the Christabel Pankhurst Institute, in the Emmeline Suite.
Title: In Silico Regulatory Science for the Digital Era
The seminar is hybrid (in person or via Teams) with refreshments served afterwards.
Prof Frangi is the Bicentennial Turing Chair in Computational Medicine at the University of Manchester, Manchester, UK, with joint appointments at the Computer Science and Health Sciences Schools. He is a member of the Christabel Pankhurst Institute (www.pankhurst.manchester.ac.uk) on health technologies research and innovation. He is also the Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies, with a focus on Precision Computational Medicine for in silico trials of medical devices. He is an Alan Turing Institute Fellow. His research vision was recently awarded an ERC Advanced Grant from the European Research Council. He also leads the InSilicoUK Pro-Innovation Regulations Network (www.insilicouk.org).
Professor Frangi’s primary research interests lie at the crossroads of medical image analysis and modelling, emphasising machine learning (phenomenological models) and computational physiology (mechanistic models). He is particularly interested in statistical methods applied to population imaging and in silico clinical trials. His highly interdisciplinary work has been translated into cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and neurosciences.
In this talk, Alejandro Frangi will overview our progress in the INSILEX Programme funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering. We envision a paradigm shift in medical device innovation where quantitative sciences are exploited to carefully engineer medical device designs, explicitly optimise clinical outcomes, and thoroughly test side effects before marketing. In-silico trials (IST) are computer-based medical device trials performed on populations of virtual patients. They use computer models/simulations to conceive, develop and assess devices with the intended clinical outcome explicitly optimised from the outset (a-priori) instead of tested on humans (a-posteriori).
Please register for this seminar here: In Silico Regulatory Science for the Digital Era by Professor Alex Frangi Tickets, Tue, May 21, 2024 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite
Previous Seminars
24th January 2024 AI in Healthcare Seminar
Title: Enhancing the use of The Christie’s health data – a new 5 years strategy and integrated unit.
Speaker: Dr Fabio Gomes, Consultant Medical Oncologist specialised in the care of lung cancer; Director for Clinical Outcomes at The Christie.
Abstract: The Christie NHS FT as the specialist cancer centre in Greater Manchester has launched a new multidisciplinary Clinical Outcomes Data Unit (CODU) in 2023 to deliver on its new Clinical Outcomes Data Strategy 2023-2028. This unit is designed to enable and support the use of health data for the purposes of audit and improvement, alongside research and innovation.
The Manchester Connected Health Ecosystem Seminar
The Manchester Connected Health Ecosystem is a collaborative network that brings together world leading academic expertise, industry partners from SMEs to major international digital & pharma companies, Health and Social Care professionals across the NHS, Public Health and local government, and patient and service user representatives.
The Ecosystem plays an important role in bringing together key organisations and personnel in digital health, creating a platform for sharing new and important policy developments, research, funding opportunities and innovations.
We are a member of the European Connected Health Alliance (ECHAlliance), a network of permanent multi-stakeholder Ecosystems. Our regular open meetings are held in a hybrid format and cover a range of health and technology related topics, further details of which can be found on our Ecosystem Meetings page.
Upcoming seminars
To be announced
Prediction Modelling Seminars
To be announced
Diabetes and Hypoglycemia Technology Network (DHTN) Monthly Lunch (1pm First Thursday of Every Month)
Join us every month for our open and inclusive Technology Research Network Meeting during lunchtime! This gathering provides a welcoming space for all those interested in technology research, offering a platform to connect, share ideas, and foster collaboration. The atmosphere is supportive, encouraging participants from various backgrounds to come together and engage in meaningful discussions.
These monthly meetings are not only an opportunity to network but also feature brief, insightful talks from invited speakers. These talks cover a range of topics within the realm of technology research, providing a glimpse into the latest developments and fostering a learning environment for all attendees. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or someone just curious about the latest advancements, you’re sure to find something valuable in our diverse and dynamic discussions.
So, bring your lunch and your curiosity, and join us for an engaging monthly exploration of technology research. Everyone is welcome, and we look forward to building a vibrant community where ideas flourish and connections thrive. See you at our next lunchtime Technology Research Network Meeting!
Get added to the DHTN Microsoft Teams
Click here to learn more about the DHTN Network.
Upcoming Luncheons
11th April | DHTN Lunch
DHTN Lunch
Location: 2.33 Kilburn Building
Walk through of the work to be presented at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference:
- Embracing Nutritional Data: Exploring The Enthusiasm of Individuals with Type 1 Diabetes for Nutrition Reporting Platforms – N Lubasinski
- Personalised Management of Postprandial Glycemic Response in Type 1 Diabetes – N Lubasinski
- Personalised Basal Turner (PBT): Towards Optimising Basal Insulin Rates in People with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus – D Gasca García
Previous Luncheons
29th February | DHTN Lunch
DHTN Lunch
Psychology & type 2 diabetes: What’s the link and how can we use this to develop better interventions?
Dr Julia Mueller – Prevention of Diabetes and Related Metabolic Disorders in High Risk Groups, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge
Synopsis: Living with overweight or obesity is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). In those diagnosed with T2D, having overweight or obesity increases the risk of complications such as heart disease. Helping people to lose weight is therefore a key challenge in the prevention and treatment of T2D. Behavioural weight management programmes can help prevent type 2 diabetes (T2D) and help people who have T2D reduce their need for medication, improve their overall health, and even achieve remission. However, behaviour change – and weight loss – is usually short-term, and weight management efforts are often derailed by psychologically difficult events (e.g., stressful or emotionally difficult times). In this talk, I will explore the link between mental wellbeing and weight management, and discuss how we can utilise our understanding of this link to develop behavioural weight management programmes that help people develop and maintain healthy lifestyles long-term. I will draw on my research involving data from longitudinal cohort studies and randomised controlled trials with adults with overweight/obesity and/or T2D, as well as extensive user and stakeholder engagement activities.
1st February | DHTN Lunch
Venue: Emmeline Suite – Room A Pankhurst Institute
Practice Talks and Feedback for the 17th International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes.
7th December 2023 | DHTN Lunch
Venue: Emmeline Suite – Room A Pankhurst Institute
Open Discussion
2nd November 2023 | DHTN Lunch
Venue: Congregation Room – Vaughan House
Open Discussion
5th October 2023 | DHTN Lunch
Venue: Emmeline Suite – Room B Pankhurst Institute
Dr. Julio Vega – Sr Data Scientist (Healthcare Wearables Startup) – The Digital Pulse: How Smartphones and Wearables are Supporting Healthcare
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, smartphones and wearables are no longer just for staying connected or tracking fitness; they have become vital tools in managing and improving human health. This presentation delves into the transformative role these devices are playing in healthcare, from remote monitoring and telemedicine to personalized health insights. Learn how cutting-edge applications and sensors are empowering individuals to take control of their health, providing medical professionals with real-time data, and ultimately, shaping the future of healthcare.
3rd August 2023 | DHTN Lunch
Venue: 2.33 – Kilburn Building, Computer Science
Discussion on bringing the network over to the Pankhurst Institute.
6th July 2023 | DHTN Lunch
Venue: 2.33 – Kilburn Building, Computer Science
Open Discussion focused on Hybrid Closed Loop Pump Systems
1st June 2023 | DHTN Lunch
Venue: 2.33 – Kilburn Building, Computer Science
Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2023. Report after Conference attendance. Was it useful will we be going again?
4th May 2023 | DHTN Lunch
Venue: 2.33 – Kilburn Building, Computer Science
Initial Meeting and Event Planning
