Dr Jacqueline Knight
Jacqui has a particular interest in leading projects that rethink current methods or approaches using co-design strategies. She uses a particular methodology which combines practice and systematic theory which over a number of years has been applied to problems or questions in fields such as the arts, education, healthcare and forensics. This transdisciplinary methodology is particularly useful to ease intransigent problems that have shown great resistance to other approaches.
From a film research background, she has a portfolio of experience in VR, simulation and various imaging technologies which is both practical and embedded in real-world environments and takes a critical approach to their application.
Recent projects include the development of a 360 VR interactive data management system for the field of forensics. She is also the lead for a collaborative project between the Digital Futures Lab at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and Transtechnology Research that aims to find a co-design solution to digital literacy in health provision and prepare for the hospital of the future. Other projects include: developing a hospital arts and wellbeing programme; developing physical and virtual workshops that offer a gamified experience of co-designing clinical trials for interplanetary missions; the co-design of medical simulations; developing new curatorial strategies that bring artists and audiences together (LUX film archives and Kochi-Muziris Biennale) and curatorial and educational projects for various museum and art gallery settings.
Jacqui is currently a post-doctoral advisor for Transtechnology Research with a cohort of over 20 researchers working at the intersections of art, design and technology. She has also worked as an editor for Leonardo Reviews (MIT Press) and draws from sixteen years of curriculum design and lecturing across various institutions including the University of the Underground, Amsterdam; Rhode Island School of Design, US; Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK; University of Plymouth, UK; and University of Falmouth, UK.
Dr Joanna Griffin
After holding an International Arts Council England Artis Fellowship at the NASA Space Science Lab, UC Berkeley Joanna led a number of educational projects for The Arts Catalyst art/science agency including the award winning Universe Gallery in Tower Hamlets, London and Satellite Stories - a dusk guided walk by space scientists at UCL Mullard Space Science Lab. After the launch of India’s Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft to the Moon, Joanna was invited to Bangalore to lead Moon Vehicle - a two-year cultural engagement that created a learning network between Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, the Indian Space Research Organisation, the Indian Institute of Astronomy, the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium and the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum.
Joanna has led workshops for the artist/hacker collective Orbit and Satellites, the Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy at the Central University Gujarat and has presented at the International Astronautical Conferences in Beijing, Naples and Glasgow. She writes about the motivations behind transdisciplinary collaboration and her writing has been published in Space Policy, Leonardo and Cultural Politics. Her work has been screened at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Ikon Gallery Birmingham and the Imperial War Museum and her research film ‘Exchange & Flow’ shot by Dr Jacqui Knight was shortlisted for the AHRC Research in Films Award 2019.
Through a varied career as an educator and artist in the UK, Ireland, India and Canada, she has devised and delivered unique, creative and courageous learning events designed to challenge thinking and the status quo.
She consults on impact for the University of Plymouth, as well as developing funding bids including the iMayflower Cultural Development Fund for immersive tech growth in Plymouth and works to further gender and race equality, diversity and inclusion.
Dr Gugs Lushai
Growth-minded with proven experience in business planning and analysis, cost management, internal controls, and performance reporting. Gugs is a keen outdoorsman and embodies the balanced approach to success in business and life.
KEY ASSIGNMENTS:
Creating a region-wide strategy to establish four centres of excellence for high-growth SMEs and Corporate spin-outs, supported capital projects across UK delivering a portfolio of 15 Science Parks and Incubators worth over £414 Million
Mentored and supported over 100 organisations (industry, NHS, university) with innovation seed funding worth £56 Million+to date
Guided and mentored more than 65 companies in developing new technology products and services to market, supporting annual targets of up to 30% growth.
Acted as an ambassador and international mission leader on several US and Japanese Trade missions, leading one of the largest MedTech licensing deals worth £129M.
Provided assistance to more than 1000 businesses in B2B and B2P brokering and innovation-driven events.
Pete Jarratt
From developing award-winning training material, coaching and strategic education for success, Pete has worked in the private and public sector as well as in his own businesses. Clients include multinational companies such as ThermoFischer PLC, government agencies including the NHS, regional development agencies, skills councils, county councils and universities.
KEY ASSIGNMENTS:
Innovation projects for NHS UK
Coordinated a groundbreaking NZ technology project
Developed a million-dollar brand for the market in China.
Scaled education platform into 52 countries
Led an international bio-science awareness project
Keynote speaker on engaging people in UK, US & NZ
Designed national environmental education projects
Designed national leadership and business advisor programmes