Theme: Imagine

10+ speakers share their inspirational stories, explore creative ideas and talk about the limitless potential of human imagination. 💭
Join us as we explore and envision a future where the possibilities are endless and aim to transcend current limitations.🧭

WBS 0.004
University of Warwick
Coventry, Warwickshire, CV4 7ES
United Kingdom

Alba Forns

COO and Co-Founder

Alba is the COO and Co-Founder of Climatize, an impact investing platform bridging the climate financing gap by making it easy, transparent and accessible to invest in renewable energy projects. Indeed, since its launch in May 2023, the platform has seen over $2,000,000 in investments in solar projects. Alba is actively involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a startup mentor, and as an advisor and public speaker. Recently selected as Forbes 30 under 30 Social Impact in 2023, Alba is also a Young Energy Ambassador. She has also received a nomination for the EarthShot Prize 2024. While speaking an impressive figure of 6 languages, Alba’s background is mostly in engineering, which has awarded her two Master’s degrees in Energy Engineering and Sustainable Energy Technologies from KTH and The Royal Institute of Technology. However, Alba has also undertaken a Business and Management Degree at ESADE, Business and Law School.

Ben Fincham

Reader in Sociology

Ben Fincham is a Reader in Sociology at the University of Sussex. He trained as a Further Education teacher before completing a PhD on work and risk, as well as being involved with projects on ‘mobilities’, studying work in unstable employment environments and the relationship between work and mental health. He was one member of the team that developed the ‘sociological autopsy’ technique of understanding suicide and death. In 2016 he published ‘The Sociology of Fun’, which his talk will cover in more depth.

Chet Lo

Designer

Chet Lo is an Asian American designer and 2020 graduate of Central Saint Martins BA Knitwear course. Hailing from New York City, Lo first came to London in 2015 to attend Saint Martin’s. It was there that Lo became fascinated with textiles and the endless possibilities and innovation that knitwear could bring. Following the success of his first collections, Lo has gone on to join the roster of young talent at Fashion East, where his debut was received with critical acclaim, and has since joined the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN scheme. Lo’s work has been featured in magazines Vogue, L’Officiel, W, The Face Garage, Schön, Marie Claire, Crack and Dazed, and worn by cultural innovators: Dua Lipa, Kendall & Kylie Jenner, Doja Cat, SZA, Kali Uchis , Micaela Coel, Willow Smith, and many more.

David Larbi

Artist

David Larbi is a writer, creator and musician from London. Through his experimentation with diverse platforms and forms of expression, he has built an online community based on introspection and emotional connection. He has a deep love for words, and wants anyone who comes across any of his work to leave feeling better for it

John James

Chief Executive of the Sickle Cell Society

John James OBE has 33 years of experience within the NHS including 4 CEO roles. He was Chair of the West London Cancer network from 2002-2005 and Chair of the North West London Diabetes Network from 2003-2004. As a senior civil servant for the Department of Health he served as Program Consultant on leadership for the NHS Next Stage Review and then as Deputy Director for the NHS Medical Director/Director General. He has been Chief Executive of the Sickle Cell Society for the last 5 years In June 2018, John was awarded an OBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Nayantara Sriram

Founder and CEO

As the Founder and CEO of Supply Unchained, Nayantara stands at the forefront of the global battle against modern slavery in corporate supply chains. As an International Business and Human Rights Lawyer and Solicitor, Nayantara has pioneered innovative approaches through legal sign-offs, Al, and Blockchain for end-to-end compliance. Her groundbreaking work extends beyond corporate initiatives, including ‘The Uhuru Project,’ a pro-bono legal service aiding victims of modern slavery and broader human rights issues. A finalist for Forbes 30 under 30 Social Impact in Europe, Nayantara combines her legal expertise with a Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws in International Development and Human Rights from the University of Warwick, and studies in Supply Chain Management at the University of Cambridge. In early 2024, Nayantara is set to discuss a modern slavery compliance solution, including insights gained from her collaboration with Mrs. Theresa May, the former Prime Minister.

Olivia Dodd

Poet

Olivia is a typewriter performance poet with Ars Poetica. Simply give her a topic or something on your mind, and she will promptly write you a custom poem on her vintage typewriter. Her work aims to transcend traditional boundaries and create embodied, empathetic connections through poetry.

Suzanne Aigrain

Astronomer

Suzanne Aigrain is an exoplanet explorer: an astronomer who discovers and studies worlds around other stars than our Sun. 🌞 Raised in the South of France, then educated at Imperial College London and Cambridge University, she worked for the European Space Agency and Exeter University, then in 2010 founded the exoplanet group at the University of Oxford, where she is now a Professor of Astrophysics and a Fellow of All Souls College. 📖 She made her name developing novel ways to detect tiny planetary signals hidden under the variability of their host stars, and applying them to data from pioneering space- and ground-based surveys to find new kinds of exoplanets, particularly those that might host life. She is passionate about open science, robust data analysis, and making astrophysics inclusive and accessible to all.

Tom Smith

Co-founder and Chief Technical Officer

Tom Smith is a co-founder and the Chief Technical Officer of Thermofluidics and its subsidiaries Impact Pumps and Blue Tap. He is the inventor of numerous energy and water related technologies at the front line of human development across the globe Tom has a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Cambridge, a first-class degree in Physics from Imperial College, London and has won several awards for his work including the Royal Institution Science Graduate of the year award, 2004 and the Sunday Times One minute pitch for £100,000 in 2005. He is driven by a lifelong passion to make sustainable energy and water services available to all

Zoe-Jane Littlewood

Advocate and content creator

Zoe is a dynamic and inspiring mixed race dyslexic woman on a mission to revolutionise the way people view dyslexia. As an advocate and content creator, she utilises her personal experiences and expertise to raise awareness and create a more inclusive society for individuals with dyslexia. Born into a multicultural family, Zoe has always embraced diversity and understood the unique challenges faced by individuals with different backgrounds. Growing up with dyslexia, she experienced first-hand the hurdles and misconceptions associated with the learning difference. Instead of letting it define her, Zoe made it her life’s mission to educate and empower others through her lived experiences.