LightForm International Advisory Board

Our most recent meeting was held at Cambridge University on Monday 24 September 2018.

We were delighted to welcome our newly appointed Chair, Dr Michael Clinch, and thank his predecessor Prof Trond Furu.

Prof Phil Prangnell started the day’s proceedings, restating LightForm’s core aims and objectives, providing a comprehensive overview of the current and future landscape, and headline project news.

Project Manager, Natalie Shannon, delivered a detailed review of project progress to date, incorporating resourcing, progress against key performance indicators, project spend, communications, LightForm website and Researcher Code of Conduct.

Prof Joseph Robson, LightForm Outreach Champion, outlined future activities including the LightMAT conference, which will take place in Manchester in November 2019. This is the first occasion that this prestigious conference will be hosted outside of Germany.

Dr Hugh Shercliff provided teacher and pupil feedback, regarding his newly developed secondary school and college resource, which encourages students to explore and consider the selection of materials in the design process.

Our three Theme Leaders, Dr João Quinta da Fonseca, Prof Joseph Robson and Dr Jun Jian, presented updates on their work packages and key theme challenges within LightForm. This generated positive, beneficial dialogue and considered discussion amongst the LightForm Team and Steering Committee members.

At the close of the day, EPSRC Portfolio Manager, Dr Sinead Balgobin provided initial verbal feedback to the Management Team. Positive feedback highlighted the Researcher Code of Conduct as an example of best practice, LightForm’s professional outreach plan as a highly effective approach and strategy, KPI’s as clearly defined and managed and the approach to data management as impressive, pioneering and interesting. Feedback provided points for consideration moving forward, and confirmation that LightForm is on track after one year.

Verbal feedback from Steering Committee Chair, Dr Michael Clinch, was also extremely positive and insightful, presenting the LightForm team with several opportunities to consider for future development and encouraging us to keep up the good work!

For our evening meal we were extremely fortunate to receive a Cambridge University dining experience. The Queens’ College Dining Hall dates as far back as the 15th Century, steeped in history and tradition, this was a unique experience enjoyed and appreciated by all.