- Day & Time:
- 2nd September 2026
- Location:
- University of Salford
Organised by: FIVE-C Network, University of Salford
Executive Summary
The FIVE-C Network one-day symposium will focus on the theme ‘Circular Materials and Lifecycle Innovation across FIVE-C Sectors.’
This event will explore how circularity in materials can accelerate sustainable transformation across digital, construction, fashion & textiles, renewable energy and healthcare, bringing together both STEM and SHAPE researchers to address technical, social, economic and cultural dimensions in equal measure.
Confirmed speakers and panellists:
Dr Faye Smith, OBE, (Chair, Composites UK)
Professor Fiona Charnley (EPSRC’s DICE Network+ lead, University of Exeter)
Amy Peace (Innovation Lead – Circular Economy, Innovate UK)
Tim Griggs (Director, ARUP)
Sheryl Lee (Specialist – Resource Management Policy, WRAP)
Thomas Addison (Local Economic Strategy Principal (Low Carbon Economy), Greater Manchester Combined Authority)
Rachel Garner (Head of Sustainability, Vision Linens)
Rationale
Circular materials research is inherently cross-disciplinary: breakthroughs in chemistry, engineering and materials science must be understood alongside shifts in behaviour, governance, business models and cultural adoption.
This symposium will therefore create a rare platform where scientists, engineers, social scientists, designers and policy specialists engage on equal footing to examine how materials can be re-imagined, reused and reintegrated into sustainable value chains.
Aims
Showcase innovative technical research in circular materials — such as bio-based alternatives, recyclability by design, smart materials enabling reuse, and advanced recovery technologies.
Highlight social sciences and humanities perspectives — including lifecycle assessment, industrial ecology, behavioural drivers, cultural acceptance, procurement practices, and governance frameworks.
Foster integrated dialogue across STEM and SHAPE, ensuring lifecycle analysis and socio-economic evaluation inform technical development, and conversely that social frameworks are grounded in the realities of materials science and engineering.
Identify opportunities for cross-sectoral learning: how lessons from construction deconstruction can inform healthcare procurement, or how digital tools and data infrastructures can support circularity in textiles or renewable energy.
Key Themes
Lifecycle Thinking Across Disciplines – environmental, economic and social assessment of circular strategies, drawing from both engineering models and social science methodologies.
Designing for Circularity – material innovations and design approaches that enable reuse, repair, remanufacture, and recycling.
Recovery, Recycling and Reuse Technologies – STEM advances in recovery processes coupled with SHAPE insights into infrastructure, supply chains, and labour implications.
Policy, Governance and Cultural Change – exploring how regulation, business models, consumer behaviour, and equity considerations enable or hinder circular adoption.
Cross-Sector Innovation – systems approaches that connect circular practices across FIVE-C sectors, supported by both technical advances and social frameworks.
Agenda
| Time | Item |
| 9:30am | Registration and refreshments |
| 10:00am | Welcome Professor Katy Mason, University of Salford |
| Session one: The Future of Circular Economy Chair: Silvia Tedesco, University of Salford | |
| 10:10am | Professor Fiona Charnley, University of Exeter |
| 10:40am | Amy Peace, Innovate UK |
| 10:55am | Tim Griggs, ARUP |
| 11:10am | Panel discussion: barriers and enablers of circularity to aid valorisation opportunities Dr Faye Smith, OBE (Chair, Composites UK) Sheryl Lee (Specialist – Resource Management, WRAP) Thomas Addison (Local Economic Strategy Principal (Low Carbon Economy), Greater Manchester Combined Authority) Rachael Garner (Head of Sustainability, Vision Linens) |
| 11:55am | Session two: Embedding circularity in industry: From strategy to implementation Chair: Mark Miodownik, University College London |
| 1:10pm | Lunch and networking |
| 2:00pm | Session three: Place-based Circular Innovation: City Regions as Testbeds Chair: Lucy Wishart, University of Edinburgh |
| 3:15pm | Consortium Formation Activity |
| 4:15pm | Closing Remarks Professor Mandy Parkinson, University of Salford |
| 4:25pm | Closure |
| 4:30pm | Coffee and networking |
Want to be part of the action? You can submit your abstract to present your research.
Registration Fees
| Category | Costs | |
|---|---|---|
| Network members | Students | £20 |
| Academics | £100 | |
| Business / other | £120 | |
| Non-members | Students | £50 |
| Academics | £120 | |
| Business / other | £150 |
Places are very limited, so book your ticket now.
Frequently asked questions
What are the different rates?
- Member rates are existing members of the FIVE-C Network.
- If you aren’t sure, get in touch with us and we can help.
When are tickets on sale?
I can no longer make the event, what are my options?
- If you have booked a ticket and can no longer make it, you can transfer your ticket to a colleague (and advise us of who will take your place), or you can apply for a refund up until 14 days before the event. If you cancel your place within 14 days of the event, we are unable to offer a refund.