Unimaker Salford 2025 – Agenda
Unimaker, highlights innovation in higher education makerspaces. During this two-day event, Unimaker Salford looks to foster open exchange on best practices, tools, and methodologies of running academic makerspaces. It will feature a diverse line up of speakers and panels on the power of maker culture, how we sustain maker pedagogy, and develop future-fit skillsets and innovation opportunities.
The event in kindly hosted at the University of Salford and proudly supported by the Morson Group STEM Foundation.
AGENDA & TIMETABLE
Day 1 – Thursday 26th June
| 09:30 – 11:00 | Arrival / Refreshments. A Marketplace showcase will be open throughout Thursday 26th. Maker Space tours. |
| 10:30-10:40 | Welcome. Dr. Maria Stukoff, The University of Salford. |
| 10:40 – 10:50 | Why on earth did we build a makerspace? Prof. Neil Currie. Professor in Structural Engineering Practice & Director at Woolgar Hunter. |
| 10:50 – 11:00 | Unimaker Introduction: Dr. Peter Mylon, The University of Sheffield. |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Keynote Speaker: Prof. Corrina Cory, The University of Exeter. |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Panel 1. Unlocking MakerSpace Impact 1. Charlotte Palmer, King’s College London 2. Andy McLeman, Newcastle University 3. Dr Will Newton, Swansea University 4. Ollie Kanjoo-Parson, Rolls-Royce SMR |
| 12:00 – 13:20 | Visit the Marketplace. Kindly supported by RS. Enjoy our buffet lunch and join a Maker Space tour. |
| 13:30 -14:00 | Lighting talks. Hear from invited guests to share makerspace insights. – Morson Projects, UK – UCL – The 3-STEP approach to equitable makerspaces. UK |
| 14:00 – 14:30 | Keynote Speaker: Dr. Alejandro Veliz Reyes. The University of Plymouth. |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Panel 2. Makerspace Communities 1. Rachael Turner, Director MADLAB 2. Dr. Peter Mylon, University of Sheffield 3. Prof. Chloe James, University of Salford 4. Sohaib Hussain, EDF / iMechE |
| 15:10 – 16:00 | Facilitated roundtable discussions exploring conference themes including: – Health and Safety for Student Volunteers – Sustainable Funding for Makerspaces – Crafting Welcoming Makerspaces: Strategies for Equity and Inclusion. – Integrating Maker Skills and Pedagogy into Curriculum – Formal vs Informal Teaching and Accreditation – Starting a Makerspace: Equipment & Costs – Community Access and under 18’s – Engineering startups and commercial practice. |
| 16:00 – 17:00 | Facilitated feedback. Shared summary from roundtable discussions. |
| 17:00 – 18:00 | Drinks / Networking |
| 18:00 – 20:00 | Hot Food Buffet. Served at the School of Engineering, Science and Environment. |
| 20:00 | Close |
Day 2 – Friday 27th June
| 09:15 – 09:45 | Arrival / Refreshments. Maker Space tours. |
| 09:50 – 10:00 | Welcome and recap |
| 10:10 – 10:35 | Inspirational Speaker: Navjot Sawhney, Founder. The Washing Machine Project A conversation on maker culture and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. |
| 10:35 – 11:10 | Panel 3. The Student Experience. How do makerspaces enrich the student experience, and how does this add value? Speakers include makerspaces student reps and alumnus sharing their experiences. 1. Josephine Riani, University of Manchester 2. iForge, University of Sheffield 3. Elizaveta Krasnova, Makerspace Technician at Kings College London 4. Faraz Falahi, The University of Salford |
| 11:10 – 11:20 | Refreshment break |
| 11:20 – 11:35 | Lighting talk Makers United, Chemnitz, Germany – Lianne van de Laar, – Katrin Hoffmann, Managing Director of the Saxony Industrial Association |
| 11:35 – 12:35 | Facilitated roundtable discussions exploring conference themes. |
| 12:35 – 13:05 | Lunch boxes & Maker Space tours. |
| 13:10 – 13:30 | Facilitated feedback. Shared summary from roundtable discussions. |
| 13:30 – 14:00 | Take Aways and closing remarks! |
| 14:00 | Conference goodbyes and join us for a drink at the Salford Fire Station. |