Megacity Science | The Institution of Engineering and Technology | Savoy Place, London, WC2R OBL | Thursday 26 March |18:30
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Get involved in the conversation with your fellow alumni as we hold the first of our STEM Professional Network meetings at the Maxwell Library in the Institution of Engineering and Technology. Hear from our panel of University of Hull academics and alumni speakers as they discuss the scientific themes and challenges posed by the massively increasing urban conglomerations that dominate the globe, and network with your fell University of Hull graduates over refreshments and canapes.

In 1950, New York stood alone as the world’s first megacity. In 2018, 47 cities have a total population in excess of 10 million. UN forecasts indicate that today’s urban population of 3.2 billion will increase to 5 billion by 2030, necessitating further exponential growth in existing population centres and creating new megacities. In addition to the substantial political, economic and social challenges that this creates, the sheer size and complexity of megacities poses serious challenges to STEM practitioners. If megacities are to be sustainable in the long term, human ingenuity will need to march in lockstep with the growth of urban centres in order to advance agriculture, energy and technology. This event will look at a range of challenges presented by concentrated exponential urban growth and showcase a range of ideas and technologies that can support renewable energy and low carbon living and working.

Panelists & Chair:

Chair: David Atkinson, Professor of Cultural and Historical Geography
David is a cultural and historical geographer who has taught and researched at the University of Hull since 1998. His interests include the geographies of totalitarianism in the ‘dark’ 20th century, including the roles of geographers and geographical sciences in the production of modern Italy and Italian colonial space. David also works on the histories of geographical knowledge and its applications and imaginaries. A final interest revolves around the intersections of place, memory, identity and landscape, and the insistent eruptions of the past in the spaces of the present.

Dr Pauline Deutz, Faculty of Science and Engineering; Department of Geography, Geology and Environment
Dr Deutz’s research interests are focused on the political and economic aspects of environmental issues, especially examining how the latter interrelate with the functioning and organisation of the capitalist economy. A particular interest is the building, and implications, of a Circular Economy (i.e., maximising the value from resources and minimising waste). Her research in this area includes multi-disciplinary collaborations with colleagues in environmental sciences, chemical and systems engineering.

Professor Yiannis Papadopoulos, Department of Computer Science and Technology
Professor Papadopoulos has pioneered work on model-based dependability assessment and evolutionary optimisation of complex engineering systems. These technologies have gained wide academic recognition and have been successfully transferred to the automotive, shipping and other industries, where they have been commercialised and successfully deployed in design and engineering processes. He is currently developing technologies for self-certification of cyberphysical and autonomous systems.

Adarsh Varma, Associate Director, Buro Happold
Adarsh leads the Economics practice in Burohappold Engineering. Adarsh specialises in economic development, business case analysis and economic appraisals for infrastructure and development projects. He is currently working on smart city projects, special economic zones in Africa, urban economic development and climate policy. He has worked on projects in Asia, Africa, UK and Europe.  Adarsh has advised a wide range of clients including private developers, the World Bank, African Development Bank, DFID, GIZ, European Commission, Asia Development Bank, National Governments and international agencies (C40, Global Green Growth Institute). Adarsh has three degrees in Economics, including a PhD thesis looking at the impact of UK’s climate change levy and emissions trading scheme on competitiveness and efficiency. He has authored a number of reports, working papers and academic journals over the past 10 years.

Megacity Science | The Institution of Engineering and Technology | Savoy Place, London, WC2R OBL | Thursday 26 March |18:30
Book now