Welcome to Issue 23 of The Innovation Platform, exploring Europe’s space ambitions, cutting-edge physics research, AMR, healthcare technology, AI policy, clean energy solutions, PFAS challenges, international research collaborations, and much more.
As it does every year, the summer has flown by, and it’s been a busy one, filled with various industry changes and events. In July, we attended the UK Space Conference in Manchester. This year’s theme was ‘Space for Growth’, and discussions were heavily based on the UK and Europe’s presence in the global space market, and how this can be accelerated further.
We explore this notion in more detail within this issue’s Space and Astrophysics section, examining the steps that the major players in Europe’s space sector are taking to enhance Europe’s space capabilities. This desire for growth is particularly cemented in the European Space Agency’s newly launched Strategy 2040 – a 15-year plan of five strategic goals, aimed to strengthen Europe’s position in the global space domain.
We sat down with the creator of the Strategy, Heriberto Saldivar, to find out what it encompasses and how it is helping Europe “dare to dream”. Further within our Science section, we have a jam-packed Physics focus covering topics from the ALICE experiment to neutron science, as well as two interviews with scientists from CERN.
Moving into Health, our section on Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control features a variety of content touching on issues such as germs in hospital sinks and phage therapy. Detailing the true picture of the AMR threat, Henry Skinner, PhD, CEO of the AMR Action Fund, explains how the Fund is working to change the way society values antibiotics.
Continuing with the theme of health, our Technology section has an interesting focus on Healthcare Technology. Caroline Purslow, Head of Health at Challenge Works, shares the deeply personal story behind the creation of the Longitude Prize on ALS – a challenge prize that incentivises the use of AI-based approaches to transform drug discovery for the treatment of ALS, the most common form of motor neurone disease (MND).
Further into our Technology section, we speak to Sophia Ignatidou, Group Manager, AI Policy at the Information Commissioner’s Office, about the ICO’s role in regulating the UK’s AI sector. We also take a look at the future of connectivity, as Thibaut Kleiner, Director of Future Networks, DG Connect, European Commission, explores the EU’s connectivity objectives as it strives to meet the Digital Decade goals.
This issue’s Energy section is bursting with insightful features, covering everything from nuclear reactors to ocean energy technology. Leading our Fusion focus, Fusion for Energy summarises the key takeaways from its recent Roundtable, and what this says about Europe’s place in the global fusion sector.
On the topic of Nuclear Energy, the World Nuclear Association provides an overview of 2025’s nuclear outlook and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency talks about the growing interest in small modular reactors. Also in the Energy section, we explore other clean energy options, with pieces from the likes of Hydrogen Europe and Ocean Energy Europe.
An important issue when it comes to health and the environment right now is PFAS – a large group of manmade chemicals widely used in various products. In recent years, concern regarding these substances has grown as they do not degrade easily in the environment, and PFAS exposure has been linked to harmful impacts on public health. Our Environment section has an extensive spotlight on PFAS, looking at detection methods, ways to remove and destroy PFAS, and further research into their causation and impact.
Towards the end of the issue, you will find our Battery Research section, featuring discussions on energy storage, electric vehicles, supply chains, battery recycling, and more. Within this, we hear from the European Association for Storage of Energy about how energy storage is rapidly reshaping Europe’s energy system. In addition, Dr Hadi Moztarzadeh, Head of Technology Trends at the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, shares key insights for the automotive industry from this year’s JSAE congress in Japan.
Concluding the issue, our International Research Collaborations section centres on the blooming relationship between Canada and the EU, as Canada’s partnership with Horizon Europe progresses. Earlier this year, a roadshow took place across Canada, promoting the benefits of the Horizon Europe programme to Canadian researchers. In this issue, ISED and the Horizon Academy, who both participated in the event, reflect on their experiences and takeaways from the roadshow.
Georgie Purcell
Editor
The Innovation Platform
Maddie Hall
Editor
The Innovation Platform
