Following the success of previous editions, SRUK/CERU is once again organizing its 4th Scientific Communication Symposium, in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes Manchester.
While previous editions explored topics such as the role of science journalism and the importance of communication in the age of artificial intelligence, this year’s symposium will delve into scientific communication in sustainable development within the context of the current climate emergency, drawing on perspectives from fields such as architecture, engineering, and urban planning.
The symposium will take place on 17th and 18th October 2026 at the Instituto Cervantes Manchester (M3 4FN, Manchester). The Saturday sessions will be conducted in English, while the Sunday sessions will be held in Spanish.
The following speakers have been confirmed for the event:
- Jesús Lizana, Associate Professor at the University of Oxford, where he leads a research group on zero-carbon heating and cooling at the ZERO Institute. In 2025, he received SRUK/CERU’s Emerging Talent Award.
- Elisa Olivares Esquivel, Lecturer in Planting Design in the School of Architecture and Landscape at the University of Sheffield. Her work in sustainable urbanism focuses on designing climate-resilient plant communities for urban environments.
- Almudena Muñoz Gallego, Lecturer in the Department of Communication Theories and Analysis at the Complutense University of Madrid. In addition to her teaching and research activities, she serves as Secretary General of RAICEX, the Network of Associations of Spanish Researchers Abroad.
- Teresa Valdés-Solís Iglesias, Senior Scientist at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in the Institute of Carbon Science and Technology (INCAR-CSIC) in Oviedo. Her research focuses on the development of carbon materials as adsorbents and environmentally relevant catalysts. She is also a member of the advisory committee to the CSIC Presidency on Women and Science.
- Maria Jesus Alfaro-Simmonds, Research Associate in Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield and Research and Evaluation Fellow at Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. Her work focuses on children’s and young people’s everyday lives, exploring and evaluating how urban infrastructures, services and environments shape their wellbeing, belonging, play and social relationships.
- Isabel Pazmino Mayorga, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Manchester working on developing novel technologies for low-carbon hydrogen production. She is highly active in public engagement and science communication and hosts a monthly science segment on a Spanish-language radio.
- Ramón Canal Oliveras, holds a PhD in Political Science from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and is a specialist in public policy, public management, and local government. He currently coordinates the Barcelona Climate Plan from the Office for Climate Change and Sustainability, contributing to the development and monitoring of municipal climate action policies.
- Sònia Hernandez-Montaño Bou, architect with expertise in bioconstruction and healthy architecture, founder of Arquitectura Sana studio. Director of the Postgraduate Program in Healthy Architecture and Bioconstruction at SERT.
We will publish the final programme in the coming days. However, for organisational purposes, we can already confirm that both days will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a light breakfast. On Saturday, the programme will conclude with a roundtable discussion at approximately 5:30 p.m., while on Sunday it will finish at around 2:00 p.m.
Attendance at the symposium is free of charge, but registration is required (here) and includes lunch and refreshments. SRUK/CERU members travelling from other cities within the UK may also apply for a microgrant to partially cover their travel and accommodation expenses (here).
For any questions or enquiries, please contact [email protected].
Apply for a microgrant to cover partial transport and accomodation cost through the Members’ Zone
PROGRAMME
Saturday 17th of October (English)
9.30-10.00 Registration and networking
10.00-11.00 Institutional Welcome
- Director of Instituto Cervantes Manchester, Martín López-Vega
- SRUK/CERU President, Sara Franco Ortega
- SRUK/CERU Science Communication Symposium Chair, Marta Dominguez Prieto
11.00-12.45 Engineering, architecture and sustainable development.
- Jesús Lizana (University of Oxford)
- Sònia Hernandez-Montaño Bou (Arquitectura Sana)
12.45-13.45 Lunch and networking
13.45-16.00 Urbanism and sustainable development.
- Ramón Canal Oliveras (Barcelona City Council)
- Elisa Olivares (University of Sheffield)
- Maria Jesus Alfaro-Simmonds (University of Sheffield)
16.00-17.00 Roundtable: Sustainable Futures: Bridging Science, Policy, Design and Society.
Sunday 18th of October (Spanish)
9.30-10.00 Registration and networking
10.00-12.00 Effective and engaging scientific communication
- Almudena Muñoz Gallego (RAICEX, Universidad Complutense Madrid)
- Teresa Valdés-Solís Iglesias (INCAR, CSIC) (Video participation)
- Isabel Pazmino Mayorga (University of Manchester)
12.00-13.00 Roundtable: the role of scientific networks in Science Communication
13.00-14.00 Lunch and networking
14.00 Closing remarks.