Welcome to the Birmingham City University Innovation Fest 2026.
To access the complete IF26 programme, please download the full schedule using the button below, or explore the detailed agenda directly on this page.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Opening and welcome of Innovation Fest | 10am |
Join us for an inspiring opening where our Executive Team will unveil the exciting highlights of the week and share how you can dive into the action. Let the innovation begin!
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| The Isaac National Computer Science Competition finals | 11am |
The National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) presents the Internet of Everything Challenge, where finalist teams from Years 9 to 11 pitch their ideas, designs, and innovative products to a panel of industry judges.
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| The Isaac National Computer Science Competition results | 1:40pm |
The National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE), alongside industry judges, presents the results and winners of the Internet of Everything Challenge.
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| The Isaac National Computer Science Competition close | 2pm |
Key messages and evaluations
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| From prototype to partnership: Powering CreaTech innovation through collaboration | 3 – 5pm |
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This panel brings together partners, stakeholders and businesses from the CreaTech Frontiers programme to explore how collaboration transforms ideas into impact.
Drawing on live examples from the CreaTech Frontiers Programme, this session will examine:
This discussion highlights how cross-sector partnerships fuel innovation and enhance employability.
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| Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Unihack X Innovation Fest Hackathon | 9am – 5pm | C455/7, Curzon Building |
A fast-paced, high-energy hackathon at Innovation Fest, bringing together students to design, build, and pitch real solutions in a limited timeframe. Hosted by Unihack and supported by the Department of Computer Science, the event is designed to push creativity, technical ability, and collaboration. Participants will work in teams to tackle real-world challenges across development tracks, with support from mentors, access to tools, and the opportunity to showcase their work to industry and academic judges.
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| XR coursework exhibition | 10am – 4pm | CST106/7 |
This is a poster competition in which Master’s students (Sep 2025 and Jan 2026 cohorts) in User Experience Design will participate and showcase their final group projects. CMP7215 Human-Centred Design (Jan 2026 cohort): all student groups will showcase a mobile application focused on health.
CMP7220 Advanced and Immersive Technology (Sep 2025 cohort): all student groups will showcase an augmented or virtual reality application. | ||
| Music information retrieval poster session | 10am – 4pm | CST302 |
Students will showcase their work through posters, detailing their project methodologies and results. Attendees can expect to explore two project options: instrument classification or player or speaker identification. | ||
| Wind turbine showcase | 11am – 4pm | CST303/4 |
Foundation students build a desk top wind turbine to lift a mass and then compare this with the incident wind power and calculating the overall efficiency of their design. By invitation only - this activity requires a safe space environment.
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| The role of leadership and commercial management in innovation and sustainability | 3 – 5pm | CST314 |
Join us as we explore the challenge of insolvency which poses a challenge to firms as they endeavour to innovate. As new ideas and innovation are being introduced in the construction industry, the unfortunate reality is that several businesses file for insolvency. According to the BCIS (November 2025) report, construction firms accounted for 15.2% of all insolvencies (for the period August to October 2025) in England and Wales in September 2025 (circa 291). Hence, Quantity Surveying students, and the construction industry at large, constantly explore the challenge of insolvency in the sector and possible mitigation measures. Posters and recorded presentations produced by BSc Quantity Surveying Level 5 students will be displayed as way of sustaining innovation via commercial management and leadership. Our invited guest speaker Laurence Vickers Regional Director/Birmingham Project Management Lead from Atkins Birmingham Office will also share insights and practical examples on the importance of leadership and commercial management in fostering innovation and sustainability
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| MA Landscape Architecture | 10am – 4pm | Level 1 Atrium |
The Landscape Institute–accredited MA/MLA in Landscape Architecture provides a platform for the in-depth exploration of pressing global challenges as they manifest in our cities and landscapes. This exhibition presents a diverse body of student work demonstrating innovative thinking and evidence-based design responses to key contemporary concerns in landscape architecture and urban design, including climate change, biodiversity loss, health and wellbeing, active landscapes, food production, and green infrastructure. The projects engage critically with the concept of sustainability, examining the dynamic relationships between natural and cultural processes. | ||
| Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual reality in higher education: Experience an immersive simulation of social work, nursing and ODP | 11am – 4pm | Digital Labs, Level 1 |
Social Work, ODP and Nursing departments have developed innovative teaching using 360 virtual reality. Come and experience what it’s like to be one of these professions using Quest headsets and our realistic 360 virtual reality simulations
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| Public Humanities launch | 3 – 6pm | Belmont Suite, Level 2 |
A special red-carpet launch event celebrating the appointment of Islam Issa as BCU’s Professor of Public Humanities. Join a panel of media and cultural industry experts discussing the question ‘What good are the humanities?’, followed by a short keynote from Islam Issa on why we need the arts today. Watch exclusive clips from Channel 4’s Race for Ancient Egypt, with a live behind-the-scenes Q&A featuring presenter Islam Issa and director Andre Holzinger. Also includes red carpet photography, refreshments and opportunities for networking. | ||
| Event | Location |
|---|---|
| Pavilion in a landscape | CST202 |
Design it. Build it. Make it fast. In this 30-minute pavilion in a landscape challenge at BCU’s Innovation Fest, you’ll mix architecture and landscape ideas, grab inspiration and turn your concepts into a rapid hands-on model. Think creatively, test ideas and make something bold.
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| MOLA tower design challenge | CST213 |
In this activity, you will work in teams to design and construct a tower using a MOLA structural modelling kit. Each team will be given the same set of materials and components, requiring them to be innovative in their design, structural form and use of space. The challenge encourages you to think critically about efficient material use, structural stability, and maximising usable space. Towers will be evaluated based on design efficiency, structural performance, and effective use of space, with teams competing to produce the most efficient and innovative tower.
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| LEGO sustainable cities | CST204 |
In this hands-on activity, you will explore computing concepts like logic, sequences and problem-solving. Using LEGO bricks, you will take on fun challenges such as building patterns, following step-by-step instructions like a computer or designing a marble maze. It’s a creative way to learn how computers think, all through play. | |
| VR workshop | CST203 |
This VR session introduces you to the exciting world of immersive technology through fun, play, and interaction. You will have the opportunity to try VR headsets and experience engaging digital games in a safe and supportive environment. The session demonstrates how immersive technology can create interactive virtual worlds where players can explore, move and interact with digital content. It is designed to be enjoyable and accessible, encouraging curiosity about digital games, creativity and the technology behind immersive experiences. | |
| PlayStation inferno and hot zone, part 1 | Challenge Lab |
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In the first session you will be looking into the problem of PlayStations overheating by taking them apart and understanding how they work, examining the heat sources and cooling systems, taking measurements of the current design and considering how this can be improved.
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| PlayStation inferno and hot zone, part 2 | Challenge Lab |
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In the second session, you will put into practise their ideas by installing additional cooling based on their own designs and taking new measurements to see how much it has improved. The winning team, who develop the most successful cooling solution, will win a prize!
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| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Breakfast briefing on the development of Birmingham Knowledge Quarter | 8 – 9.30am |
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Birmingham Knowledge Quarter (B-KQ) is a transformational, government-backed innovation district, located at the heart of central Birmingham. Spanning approximately 210 hectares, B-KQ is designed to serve as a catalyst for inclusive, sustainable economic growth and urban regeneration, supporting the city’s transition towards a knowledge and innovation-led economy.
B-KQ is a research and development cluster for cutting-edge companies specialising in advanced digital technologies, engineering, and HealthTech research. B-KQ is strategically positioned at the core of the city, forming a vital link between the Birmingham HS2 station, Birmingham’s central business district, the Digbeth Creative Quarter, Smithfield, and the Knighthead’s Sports Quarter.
BCU has formally signed up to a close collaboration with WMCA, and Birmingham City Council to help deliver an inclusive STEAM-led and systems approach to developing the B-KQ.
Delegates will learn more about the next steps and the role of the soon to be formed ‘East Birmingham Mayoral Development Corporation’.
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| BCU KTP Associate showcase | 10am – 12pm |
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Hear from our associates on their career journey from recent graduate to skilled
professionals with industry partners. The KTP programme develops recent graduates
to deliver their expertise and skills into a business. Birmingham City University is proud
that many of our associates go on to secure permanent positions following the successful
completion of their KTP project. Their employment within partner organisations highlights
the long-term benefit and career progression reflecting the strength of the KTP programme
for recent graduates wanting to springboard their career. |
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| Industry mentorship – Bridging academia and practice | 12 – 12.30pm |
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We invite industry professionals to mentor final-year students through their dissertations,
offering a light-touch commitment grounded in real industry expertise. This session
explores how that partnership works in practice, connecting students’ academic research
with live industry realities across quantity surveying, infrastructure, urban planning,
and construction management. Mentors are not expected to supervise academic work,
but to share professional insight, contextualise research topics, and where possible open
doors to their networks. Built on a proven model of industry-academia collaboration, the
programme offers businesses a meaningful opportunity to engage with soon-to-graduate
talent over an extended period. |
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| Lessons from managing construction on HS2 | 12.30 – 1pm |
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This talk will share practical lessons from working on the HS2 project, focusing
on coordination between different disciplines, managing real site constraints,
and translating design intent into construction. The session will highlight how
communication, planning, and engineering judgement play a key role in successfully
delivering complex infrastructure projects. |
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| Digital tech boardroom pitches | 1 – 5pm |
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Computing students specialising in software design and enterprise practice will
compete for project funding by pitching their ideas to an expert panel of industry judges.
This contest will select the top three second-year projects in computing |
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| Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Emerging digital technology | 9am – 2pm | CST213 |
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Students will deliver dynamic presentations that showcase their innovative design
solutions, utilising emerging technologies such as AI, VR/AR, and IoT. They will have the
freedom to select their presentation format, with an emphasis on incorporating visual aids,
physical models, and digital tools to engage the audience/industry guests. This may include
elements like physical or digital models, short videos, and interactive walk-throughs. |
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| Computing final year poster presentation | 9am – 5pm | CST106/7 and CST302/3/4 |
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Final year undergraduate students will showcase their final year projects through
posters and artefact demonstrations. This also includes an industry IHP competition
where representatives from industry judge selected projects. |
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| Line follower robots demonstration | 10am – 1pm | Challenge Lab |
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Students will showcase their wheeled robot designed to follow a line autonomously
through an exciting competition where the fastest one wins! |
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| BNV4128 Site Management and Logistics | 10am – 4pm | CST308 |
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The BNV4128 Construction Site Management Practice coursework presentations
offer an opportunity for students to showcase developed connections between their
understanding of taught theories and principles and its practical application to field
cases. The presentations will highlight construction site planning interventions
for a school development project with real site, logistical and other constraints
produced by Level 4 Construction Management students. The endeavour provides
a platform for students to develop hard and soft skills such as report writing,
presentation design, public oral presentation, and critical knowledge synthesis
while receiving feedback from industry and academic experts. |
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| Leading engineering endeavours | 10am - 5pm | CST006/7 |
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Level 5 engineering students, across automotive, mechanical, electronic,
and manufacturing courses, working closely with water welfare charity The Rivers
Trust on a green engineering project. Working in teams, students are given a challenge
of educating schoolchildren, undergraduates and teachers about the challenges
of water welfare. Creating a video about their project, they will present this
in a trade fair environment |
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| BNV5120 Information-driven construction day | 9am - 5pm | CST202/3/4 |
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During this session, student groups will present their project work developed
for the module scenario. The presentations will demonstrate how digital information
and building information modelling (BIM) can support project planning, coordination,
and decision-making in construction. Each group will explain their proposed approach,
how information is managed and shared across the project team, and how digital workflows
can improve collaboration and project delivery in the built environment. |
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| MA Landscape Architecture | 10am – 4pm | Level 1 Atrium |
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The Landscape Institute–accredited MA/MLA in Landscape Architecture provides a
platform for the in-depth exploration of pressing global challenges as they manifest
in our cities and landscapes. This exhibition presents a diverse body of student work
demonstrating innovative thinking and evidence-based design responses to key
contemporary concerns in landscape architecture and urban design, including climate
change, biodiversity loss, health and wellbeing, active landscapes, food production, and
green infrastructure. The projects engage critically with the concept of sustainability,
examining the dynamic relationships between natural and cultural processes. |
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| Property marketing | 10am – 5pm | CST311 |
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Final year real estate and planning students will be presenting marketing strategies
for selling a development site. By invitation only |
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| Department of Psychology and Counselling showcase | 12 - 2pm | Level 0 Atrium |
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Infancy module showcase
Level 5 Psychology students present original toys and apps designed to support early
development. Each product is grounded in developmental theory and current research,
demonstrating how psychological science can inform practical, evidence-based tools for
infants and caregivers.
Undergraduate dissertation showcase
Final-year students display independent research projects in which they developed a
literature-based research question, secured ethical approval, collected and analysed
primary data, and produced a 5-8,000-word dissertation. Their posters highlight real-world
implications for policy and practice across psychological fields.
Forensic psychology showcase
Second-year students share victim-focused leaflets created for a forensic assessment.
Tasked with producing an 800-word resource for victim-survivors of crime, they balance
clarity, sensitivity, and creativity while developing practical communication skills relevant
to third-sector roles such as domestic abuse support services |
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| Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| RIBA West Midlands Housing Exhibition 2026 | 10am – 4pm | Belmont Suite, Level 2 |
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The exhibition will showcase shortlisted and winning student and professional proposals
for a live housing site in Saltley (Birmingham), demonstrating how innovative, design-led
approaches can deliver high-quality, sustainable, and affordable housing in complex urban
contexts. The event will feature keynote from RIBA, short presentations from CDA (about
‘Coming Home’ report) and the winning projects, followed by a networking session bringing
together professionals from practice, academia, and public sectors in the midlands. |
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| Navigating challenges in conducting research with disabled communities workshop | 10am – 4pm | CST314 |
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PhDs and researchers working with disabled communities in their research practice
will come together to discuss challenges and good practices to involve disabled people
in research, explore interdisciplinary perspectives, and learn from other fields (e.g.,
human-computer interaction, design, arts, psychology, education, health, and social
science) to conduct more ethical and inclusive research. We will have short individual
introductions, brainstorming activities, and general discussion. |
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| Human factors: emerging research highlights workshop | 1 - 5pm | C281, Curzon Building |
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The event will offer a set of brief research talks highlighting current work in human factors, with a particular emphasis on transportation and user interaction topics. The event will consist of short presentations from academic staff, PhD researchers, and external speakers, followed by a short panel discussion. The session aims to provide a snapshot of emerging work across human factors and related areas, and to encourage cross-disciplinary engagement. |
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| Build. Balance. Learn. A fun, hands-on way to explore design and teamwork! | 1 - 4pm | Challenge Lab, Ground Floor |
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This activity introduces key concepts of structural engineering and spatial design through hands-on learning with the Mola Kit. Participants build and test structures using a levelling camera, promoting creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork. |
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| SAP hack workshop | 2 - 5pm | CST208 |
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The SAP hack combines technology, business thinking, and collaborative problem-solving to demonstrate how enterprise systems support modern organisations. Through guided challenges and industry engagement, participants experience how digital platforms such as SAP enable innovation, integration, and sustainable decision-making. |
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| The Happy Human Project - Designing empowering communication | 2 - 5pm | CST213 |
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You are invited to join this experiential journey of self-discovery, exploring positive psychology and life-centeredness, to identify personal fears, while working collaboratively in a series of collaborative group design challenges, ensuring there are clear and inclusive strategies to address poor communication across local and global cultures, borders and environments. The event aims to empower confidence, celebrate diverse perspectives, and encourage active listening and creative problem solving. |
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| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Getting into cyber | 10 – 11am |
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Join BCU alumni Cavan Arrowsmith, Director at Turnkey Consulting, Rob Black, Head of Pre-Sales and Matt Smith, CISO at SJP to share and discuss their journey into cyber security. |
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| AI-enabled digital twins for the inspection of critical infrastructure using UAVs | 11am – 12noon |
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This session explores the future of drone operations for critical infrastructure inspection,
bringing together industry innovators at the forefront of autonomous aerial systems.
Attendees will gain insight into how UAV technology, cloud-based ground control,
and AI-enabled connectivity are transforming the way we monitor and maintain large-scale
infrastructure assets - moving beyond traditional limitations to enable scalable, remotely
managed drone operations. The session bridges cutting-edge research and real-world
industry application, offering students a unique view into the emerging ecosystem
of intelligent aerial services |
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| Department of Computer Science Industry Advisory Board discussion | 12 – 1pm |
| Rollercoaster showcase awards | 1 – 2pm |
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Presentation and evaluation of shortlisted projects from Engineering’s Minivation Fest
in collaboration with our industrial partner. |
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| Female business leaders and founders: challenges and opportunities for growth | 2 – 3pm |
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This panel brings together female business leaders and founders to explore
the challenges and opportunities shaping the growth of women-led businesses while
addressing the shortfall in female representation in leadership and entrepreneurship.
Through shared experiences and practical insights, the discussion will examine barriers
to leadership and entrepreneurship while highlighting pathways for innovation, scaling
ventures, and supporting women at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey. |
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| BCU Innovation Labs – demo day | 3 – 5pm |
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Innovation Labs demo day is the culminating showcase where student founders present
the ideas they have developed through the programme, demonstrating their progress,
vision, and potential to an audience of peers, mentors, and industry guests. |
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| Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering design project and innovation posters | 9am – 1pm | CST106/7 |
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This is the sponsored poster competition event for Level 4 and Level 6 Civil Engineering
students stemmed from their Civil Engineering design project work. |
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| Reverse engineering | 9am – 5pm | CST006/7 |
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An innovative, practical project where students explore how everyday products can be
improved to optimise performance, last longer, be repaired more easily and be produced
in a more sustainable manner. |
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| Building acoustics competition | 10am – 12pm | Digital Lab, Level 1 |
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An opportunity for second-year audio students to showcase their building project designs
to industry guest judges. |
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| Cyber and forensics day | 10am – 4pm | CST203 |
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Students across L3 and L7 of the BSc Digital Forensics, BSc Cyber Security and MSc Cyber
Security courses will gain an insight into current developments in industry area of expertise
and present the challenges currently faced through a Q&A and panel discussion. |
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| Games showcase | 10am – 4pm | CST302/3/4 |
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An exposition of the best work, models, animations and games that have been produced
this year. 3DGP + GAP. Featuring innovative work from our Games Academy. |
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| MA Landscape Architecture | 10am – 4pm | Level 1 Atrium |
|
The Landscape Institute–accredited MA/MLA in Landscape Architecture provides a
platform for the in-depth exploration of pressing global challenges as they manifest
in our cities and landscapes. This exhibition presents a diverse body of student work
demonstrating innovative thinking and evidence-based design responses to key
contemporary concerns in landscape architecture and urban design, including climate
change, biodiversity loss, health and wellbeing, active landscapes, food production, and
green infrastructure. The projects engage critically with the concept of sustainability,
examining the dynamic relationships between natural and cultural processes. |
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| Data and decision making | 10am – 5pm | CST314 |
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Students deliver a 15-minute presentation to a panel of guests from industry which includes
a summary of the research structure, characteristics of the area of analysis, concept
development, a summary of the findings, and recommendations. |
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| Digital Animation showcase | 10am – 5pm | Challenge Lab, Ground Floor |
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Digital Animation students will showcase their final major projects, with screenings
of short films, performance animation showreels, story reels and concept and visual
development portfolios. |
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| Playing music with vibrations workshop and NIME coursework exhibition | 10am – 5pm | CST202 |
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Students will present and demonstrate original interactive systems for musical expression,
a showcase of innovative approaches to sound-human-computer interaction and
performance. The exhibition is open to all visitors and offers a curated experience in digital
sonic art, including experimental interfaces and creative coding projects. the day will also
include a hands-on workshop for registered attendees titled ‘playing music with vibrations’,
exploring how haptic feedback can be used as a medium for musical interaction. |
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| Property marketing | 10am – 5pm | CST311 |
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Final year real estate and planning students will be presenting marketing strategies for
selling a development site. By invitation only. |
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| Industry listening session | 11am – 1pm | RBC Workshop 7 |
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Join four industry experts including a Grammy award winning producer (Mike Exeter),
Bass player in Bentley Rhythm Ace & Pop Will Eat Itself (Richard Marsh) and two Universal
signed songwriters (Tara Chinn and Peter Brown) to share and seek feedback on your
productions, mixes and recordings. |
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| Microphone design competition | 12 – 2pm | Digital Lab, Level 1 |
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Casing for microphones is in general, just functional and hence boring. Sound Engineering
and Production and Music Technology students have decorated their microphone casings
to add to the artistry of aesthetic interpretation of music and hence ‘lift’ the musicality
of artists using their mics. |
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| Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Apprenticeships partners event | 9 – 11am | Belmont Suite, Level 2 |
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Our apprenticeship employer partners will get the opportunity to meet the academics
delivering our apprenticeship programmes, our Apprenticeship Support Team, Skills
Coaches and each other during this inaugural apprenticeship employer partner meet-up.
The session will review the recent changes at BCU that have been implemented to improve
the apprenticeship provision further, recent developments in the apprenticeship landscape,
the current EPA process and what the future holds for apprenticeships at BCU. Current
apprenticeship employer partners will also have the opportunity to hear directly from RICS
and CIOB on recent developments in the industry, as well as answering key questions about
the EPA process.
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| Making cities healthier and smarter with AI workshop | 10am – 4pm | CST204 |
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This event is designed to spark collaboration between leading organisations in the UK
and South Korea, bringing together voices from industry, Birmingham City Council
(BCC), academia, and innovation-focused stakeholders. During the workshop, three
talented early-career researchers will showcase their cutting-edge work on smart city
technologies, while invited experts from South Korea will share insights into successful
digital transformation initiatives and urban innovation happening across their cities. |
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| Architecture and Built Environment industry networking event | 1 – 5pm | Belmont Suite, Level 2 |
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Discussion of the future of architecture and the built environment job market with round
table networking, a collaboration between academia and industry. Please note this event
is by invitation only. |
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| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Birmingham Metropolitan College student pathways to HE | 9 – 10am |
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Birmingham Metropolitan College student pathways to higher education innovation digital skills project presentations from BMET students, higher education course for STEM careers. Open to all BCU and BMET staff and students. |
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| The founder’s roadmap: Scaling innovation and personalisation in the AI era | 10 – 11am |
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Every startup founder faces the ultimate challenge: turning a bold vision into a scalable
reality. In this session, we go behind the scenes of MeTime Stories to explore how one
startup navigated the pivot-heavy landscape of creative tech. By leveraging AI to reshape
publishing - transforming static photos into personalised, illustrated narratives -
the team had to overcome complex technical, ethical, and market hurdles. Join us for a
candid discussion on the practical realities of building in the creator economy, the lessons
learned from rapid iteration, and how a founder’s roadmap must constantly evolve to drive
meaningful growth. |
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| Women’s Wellbeing presentation | 11am – 12noon |
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A presentation of a community-led employment programme created by Women’s Wellbeing in collaboration with Birmingham City University is helping women in east Birmingham build the digital confidence and employability skills they need to access work. Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the Digital Gateway into Employment (DGIE).
Designed for those who often feel digitally excluded or disengaged from traditional employment support, the six-week programme has supported around 60 women to grow in confidence using email, completing online forms and navigating job platforms. Participants also developed practical skills in job searching, AI tools, CV writing, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles and interview preparation.
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| Placements fair, panel discussion | 12 – 1pm |
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Find out more about the benefits of undertaking a Professional Placement Year from
placement students and employers at the Placements Fair Panel. This interactive
discussion will allow you to explore potential opportunities to enhance your technical/
transferable skills and graduate employability via a year in industry. |
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| CIB Student Chapter launch | 1 – 2pm |
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This session marks the official launch of the CIB Student Chapter at Birmingham City
University. The event will introduce the Chapter’s vision, objectives, and opportunities
to students, followed by the formal appointment of the inaugural Student Council members.
It aims to foster research culture, professional engagement, and global connectivity among
postgraduate and doctoral students. |
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| Postgraduate study at BCU | 2 – 3pm |
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Join our postgraduate student panel to hear directly from current Master’s students about
what postgraduate study is really like. From managing the step up in academic expectations
to balancing study, social life, and future career plans, our panel will share their honest
experiences and insights. We will be joined by Master’s students from a range of courses
such as Project Management, Big Data Analytics, Social Work, Psychology and Sport and
Exercise Nutrition.
This is a great opportunity to ask your questions, get practical advice, and find out whether
a Master’s degree could be the right next move for you!
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| Innovation driving inclusion: Shaping the authentic digital student | 4 – 5pm |
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As part of the BCU Professorial Inaugural Lecture Series, Professor Rehan Bhana shares
his journey. Rehan is Professor of Digital Transformation and Academic Innovation at
Birmingham City University and Academic Lead for Enterprise, Engagement, Innovation and
STEAM in Computer Science. He specialises in developing education and enterprise models
that connect universities, SMEs, and regional innovation ecosystems. He is the founder
of Innovation Fest, a flagship model embedding innovation and enterprise into education,
impacting over 50,000 learners globally and shaping inclusive, industry-integrated
learning. |
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| Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Level 7 poster presentation | 10am – 6pm | CST306/307 |
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Witness Level 7 Project Management and Logistics and Supply Chain Management students
showcase their expertise through dynamic poster presentations, alongside the thrilling
Text2Image (T2I) competition, where creativity and technology collide to bring ideas to life! |
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| Design resolution 3 | 10am – 4pm | Parkside Building, P433-435 |
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Students will be presenting their final major projects in a classic juried review. Students will either pin up physical work or present digitally via screens. There will be a panel of external guest critics, internal critics, and the module teaching staff. Students will have approx. 15-20 minutes to present, with 25-20 minutes for comments and feedback. |
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| Individual Master’s project (MSc BIM, DC, CPM and QS) | 10am – 4pm | Level 1 Atrium |
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Our students present their dissertation research findings on practical challenges in construction practice in the UK and the globe in the format of poster. This poster exhibition showcases our students’ research achievements under the supervision and support of our academic staff. |
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| Individual project HNC | 10am – 4pm | CST310 |
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An end-of-module poster presentation where students present the outcomes of their
individual projects in a poster format, covering a range of construction-related topics
and summarising their aims, methodology, key findings, and conclusions. |
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| BNV4135, BNV5151/5150 and BNV6200 - Architectural Technology degree show (Day 1) | 10am – 5pm | CST006/7 |
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A showcase of innovative designs, interactive displays and poster presentations, challenges and competition and inspiring conversations with future architectural technologists. Held in collaboration with industry partners and professional bodies. |
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| Construct, demonstrate and exhibit MVP: Innovation project | 10am – 5pm | CST106/7, CST202/3/4 and CST302/3/4 |
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Our first-year computing students are seamlessly blending academic theory with creative, hands-on solutions to real-life issues. Their innovative, STEAM-enabled learning undergoes industry assessment as they critically align projects with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Discover exceptional teams of problem-solvers and communicators working with purpose, whose ability to navigate and transform a fast-paced technological world sets the stage for tomorrow’s leaders. Explore and celebrate the remarkable achievements of these emerging tech talents, poised to spark transformative change. |
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| Engineering final year presentation | 10am – 5pm | Belmont Suite, Level 2 |
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Students will present posters for their final year projects. |
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| Advanced design and surveying skills | 10am – 5pm | CST208 |
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Students outline proposals to integrate passive and active strategies for a net-zero-carbon
redesign of a Grade II-listed building. This includes evaluating its current condition and
developing a low-carbon refurbishment strategy that addresses heritage constraints while
enhancing sustainability and energy efficiency |
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| Environmental and materials science | 10am – 5pm | CST213 |
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Students work on objectives together with rationale and justifications for choosing
the topic area and how to implement the innovative technology/application/tool/material. |
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| Reimagining Birmingham | 10am – 5pm | CST314 |
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Postgraduate students from MA Planning Built Environments and MSc Real Estate
Management showcase collaborative and innovative projects for sustainable mixeduse development in Digbeth. Developed in partnership with local organisations, these
projects address critical challenges in affordable cultural infrastructure, housing, design
excellence, community engagement, and environmental resilience. |
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| Property marketing | 10am – 5pm | CST311 |
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Final year real estate and planning students will be presenting marketing strategies
for selling a development site. By invitation only |
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| Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| TechHack4Dementia: Innovating with empathy | 10am – 4pm | Curzon Building, C281 |
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This event will harness the power of computing to create meaningful digital tools, applications, and experiences that support people living with dementia and those who care for them. Students from different courses will be invited to take part in a series of activities. This hackathon invites students from different backgrounds to work together in teams to address real-world challenges with members of the dementia community to collaborate (co-organised with Birmingham City Council and the Alzheimer’s Society). By co-creating solutions with the dementia community, participants aim to generate meaningful impact for the region and for society. |
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| Placements fair | 10am – 4pm | Challenge Lab, Ground floor atrium |
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Employers will be onsite to discuss placement opportunities. The Careers team will
be available to offer advice. Students that are currently on placement will be sharing
their experiences. L3, L4, L5 and L7 students are encouraged to attend. An opportunity
for industry guests to explore the potential of employing placement students. |
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| Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Industry Advisory Board | 9am – 1pm | TBC |
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The Industrial Advisory Board plays a vital role in supporting the Department’s aspiration to become an internationally leading centre in engineering education, research, and knowledge transfer. By invitation only |
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| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| The Big Idea pitching competition | 10am - 2pm |
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An exciting pitching competition designed to showcase bold, innovative ideas with realworld impact. Participants across multiple subject areas across BCU will have the chance
to pitch their creative solutions to a panel of industry experts, competing for prizes .
Open for all to come along and support!
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| Awards and celebrations | 4 - 6pm |
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Join us for the final event of the week: Innovation Fest Awards and Celebration Evening.
This is a chance to recognise exceptional accomplishments and shine a spotlight on
students who have excelled this week. As we gather to celebrate, we acknowledge not only
the winners but the collective effort that has shaped this memorable week. |
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| Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Capture the flag | 10am – 1pm | CST202 |
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A capture-the-flag style ethical hacking activity, testing your hacking skills in a fun, competitive environment. No prior experience needed. |
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| BNV4135, BNV5151/5150 and BNV6200 - Architectural Technology degree show (Day 2) | 10am – 3pm | CST006/7 |
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A showcase of innovative designs, interactive displays and poster presentations, challenges and competition and inspiring conversations with future architectural technologists. Held in collaboration with industry partners and professional bodies |
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| Oracle APEX hackathon | 10am – 3pm | CST203 |
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Oracle APEX hackathon focused on building powerful, data-driven applications using
low-code development. This hands-on event will explore the latest Oracle APEX features,
practical implementation strategies, and real-world use cases - while showcasing how AI
capabilities can be seamlessly integrated into modern enterprise solutions. |
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| Unlock the code – Oracle hackathon | 10am – 3pm | CST314 |
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This hackathon is a collaborative coding event where developers, designers, and innovators come together to tackle technical challenges and build creative solutions within a limited timeframe. Teams (groups of 5) will form and try to solve a challenge statement. Each team will be responsible for submitting its finalised idea by the deadline. |
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| BCU x CalPoly STEAM challenge | 1 – 3pm | CST213 |
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Following a recent STEAM challenge between California Polytechnic University (Cal Poly)
and BCU students, the groups will present the outcome of their STEAM challenge. |
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| Three-minute thesis competition | 11am – 1pm | Challenge Lab |
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This showcase and competition offers PhD candidates across BCU the opportunity to present significance of their research and its potential application or impact into three minutes. |
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