On Tuesday, 10th September 2024, DIRDI’s first event of the 2024/2025 academic year took place and the first ever DIRDI event to be held outside of Durham.
At Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, the Insitute was privileged to host 22 distinguished Members and Fellows from a wide array of institutions, including the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, the West of England, Imperial College London, and University College London, as well as Fellows from the Royal Air Force and the Ministry of Defence.
The Cambridge dinner was enriched by insightful talks from several notable speakers:
Dr. John Hassard FDIRDI, Reader in Physics at Imperial College London, captivated the audience with his pioneering work in multidisciplinary research. He spoke about his innovative projects, including the Solar Vortex Tower, and the translation of advanced sensor network technologies into practical tools for societal benefit.
Dr. Dorian Gangloff FDIRDI, Associate Professor of Quantum Technology at the University of Cambridge, provided a fascinating glimpse into the world of quantum engineering. He elaborated on his research into the development of quantum computing, communication, and simulation technologies.
Brigadier John Ridge CBE FDIRDI, Director Defence Innovation at the Ministry of Defence, shared his vast experience in defence strategy and innovation. He discussed the transformative potential of technology in defence and security, drawing from his distinguished military career and roles in strategic planning and innovation.
Professor Lars Kunze FDIRDI, Professor in Safety for Robotics and Autonomous Systems at the University of West England, offered insights into the future of AI and robotics. He discussed his work on fundamental AI techniques for autonomous robot systems, emphasising knowledge representation, reasoning, machine learning, and robot perception in complex, real-world environments.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these speakers for sharing their expertise and contributing to a memorable evening of intellectual exchange.
As DIRDI’s fellowship has grown to include over 200 new fellows from top UK universities in 2024, our events footprint is likewise expanding to multiple locations. Following the success of the Cambridge dinner, we eagerly anticipate our upcoming events at the prestigious In & Out Club in London and at the Institute’s spiritual home: Hatfield College, Durham. Here, we will continue to gather Fellows to build interdisciplinary initiatives across the several academic, government, and industry organisations represented within DIRDI. We look forward to a busy year ahead!
