Prof Ann Webb

Professor of Atmospheric Radiation, The University of Manchester
28th Session of the International Commission on Illumination 2015

The University of Manchester hosted a prominent international conference on the science of light in the summer of 2015, bringing an estimated economic benefit of £1.1 million to the city.

The 28th Session of the International Commission on Illumination - also known as the CIE from its French title, the Commission Internationale de l´Eclairage – saw  500 scientists from around the world meet in the University's flagship conference venue, University Place, from 28 June to 4 July 2015.

CIE is devoted to worldwide cooperation and the exchange of information on all matters relating to the science and art of light and lighting, colour and vision, photobiology and image technology. Held every four years, the quadrennial conference has taken place at destinations around the globe - most recently in Sun City, South Africa in 2011, Beijing in 2007 and San Diego in 2003.

The conference took place during the United Nations' International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015). The UN recognised the importance of raising global awareness about how Light plays a vital role in our daily lives and is an imperative cross-cutting discipline of science - be it in medicine, communication, cultural or economic aspects of the global society.

The congress was secured via a competitive bid process which took place over a number of years.

The National Committee, CIE-UK, supported by Marketing Manchester and  The University of Manchester’s conference office, submitted a  bid at the conference in Sun City, South Africa in 2011.

Professor Ann Webb, Professor of Atmospheric Radiation at The University of Manchester, current President of CIE and Manchester Conference Ambassador, commented:

"Manchester's bid was a case-study in collaboration. With assistance from Marketing Manchester and  The University of Manchester Conferences & Venues, CIE-UK produced a compelling and professional bid which positioned Manchester as the ideal city to host the conference."

"Our bid gained overwhelming support, and I am very proud to announce that the next Session of CIE will be in my home city of Manchester. We look forward to welcoming anyone with an interest in light and lighting, from backgrounds in art or science, to come together and discuss their interests with like-minded people from around the globe."