Can you start by telling us a bit about your background and your work?
I am a Professor at The University of Manchester working in atmospheric science. My research focuses on studying important processes responsible for air pollution and effects on regional climate. I have led a number of studies to investigate pollution in the UK, China and India. My team carries out research on the UK's atmospheric research aircraft to investigate clouds, biomass burning, marine chemistry and regional pollution. In 2022, I was recipient of the European Geophysical Union Vilhelm Bjerknes Medal. I am currently a member of the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) Project Steering Committee and the Deputy Chair of the international Commission on Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution (iCACGP), a Commission of the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science (IAMAS), which is one of the associations of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, a global Union for international Geoscience Research.
Can you tell us about the conferences that you’ve been involved with in Manchester?
I was the Chair of the European Aerosol Conference that was held in Manchester in 2011. In 2022, I was the Chair of the local organising committee for the joint iCACGP/IGAC Conference, again held in Manchester at the University of Manchester. The conference was held as we emerged from the pandemic and was one of the first to be delivered in a hybrid format. Both conferences attracted around 600 delegates.
You’re clearly passionate about the value of face-to-face scientific meetings. What strengths does your department have in your field, and what role do conferences play in your long-term vision?
Our department has carried out research across a broad range of geological and environmental science. As our planet changes due to resource pressures and the influence we are having on our climate, environmental science is increasingly cross-disciplinary and focused on delivering sustainable solutions. Major international conferences offer foci for researchers to come together, challenge each other, share their experiences as well as their work, and develop new approaches and ideas to deliver sustainability in the future.
With the benefit of hindsight, what benefits did hosting iCACGP-IGAC have on your international community, The University of Manchester and you personally?
The iCACGP-IGAC Conference was the first conferences after the covid pandemic and brought together the international community once again to begin to rebuild the international connections and collaborations on which our research thrives. The conference was a huge success and has been highly talked about since. It has fostered new work between different countries and has initiated a number of new research programmes. A particular emphasis of the conferences is the development of early career researchers, helping them to build networks and navigate their way in a complex field. The conference highlight was the success of the ECR programme which was driven by ECR staff themselves and involved both a strong academic and support programme but also a social programme across Manchester. This has greatly benefitted our ECR community and given them an opportunity to subsequently lead internationally. The conference furthered The University of Manchester’s global reputation in this field of research.
What are the key factors that made Manchester the ideal location for prestigious international conferences in your field?
There are many benefits, both within The University of Manchester and across the city more broadly. We already had a strong reputation for research in this field, not just in our city but also across the north of England and this emphasised the depth of research in the region. The University has the capability and capacity to host a major conference of this kind and to do it so effectively and efficiently meant the conference ran smoothly, something that was appreciated greatly by the attendees.
Manchester is a major attraction for conference attendees. The city has a great history as a significant industrial city and a powerhouse of industry for nearly 200 years and has rejuvenated itself to be a vibrant, dynamic and multi-cultural centre with a huge range of attractions and facilities, including a great network of national and international travel options. Outside the immediate city centre, our region hosts wonderful countryside and history and many visitors choose to use this as an opportunity to visit the region.
What support did you receive from the Manchester Convention Bureau and The University of Manchester Conferences and Venues team?
The support from the Manchester Convention Bureau and from The University of Manchester Conferences and Venues team was excellent. The bid writing assistance is fantastic – Marketing Manchester’s team are highly professional and well connected across the city, which allows for the framework of the bid do be easily put together. For our past events, subvention awards were secured which could support projects which benefitted both the conference and the city. This was extremely valuable offers a real way for attendees to enjoy more of what the city can offer. The University’s conference team offers a wide range of support and services. The team are very approachable and can guide academics and event planners through the process, helping to put in place the necessary organisational structure for conferences and ensure that the provision meets the conference needs.
Finally, as a long-standing member of the Manchester Conference Ambassador Programme, what does being an Mbassador mean to you and what advice would you give to others considering bidding for events in their own area?
Being an Mbassador is a great privilege. I have lived and worked in Greater Manchester for much of my adult life and to give something back to the city and to see it continue to flourish is wonderful. My advice would be to go for it! Manchester has a huge amount to offer, the support for professional bid submissions is great and it is hugely rewarding to bring together colleagues, old and new friends from across the globe and to provide an environment to grow the next generation of talent.
