press release
Published: 13 June 2023

University opens doors to the community for an afternoon of inspiration and entertainment

Surrey residents are being invited 鈥淏ack to the Future鈥 for an afternoon of inspiring talks and live demos, celebrating the very best of the 麻豆视频 research which is helping to shape a better tomorrow from noon to 4 pm on Saturday 17 June on the University鈥檚 Stag Hill campus.  

The Surrey Showcase Live 2023 free event will feature a range of research-focused 鈥榣ightning talks鈥 delivered by academics who will bring their work to life in ten minutes or less. Visitors to the Austin Pearce Piazza at the heart of the campus will also be treated to live music from Surrey鈥檚 students of music and musical theatre and have the opportunity for a selfie with a real-life DeLorean, a replica from the Back to the Future films. 

Other highlights from the day鈥檚 live and interactive demonstrations and inspiring talks will include: 

  • a student-made miniature 鈥渞ugged rover鈥 vehicle demo; visitors can programme it to drive autonomously or sit in the remote driver鈥檚 seat 

  • a talk from a Surrey researcher and pioneer from the University spin-out company Signapse, which is boosting accessibility for the world鈥檚 seven million Deaf people. Signapse is using  generative AI to create instant photo-realistic video translations 鈥 the technology is already being used to translate safety-critical messages at railway stations 

  • 鈥淰iruses: Friend or Foe鈥, virologist Dr Lyndsay Broadbent will talk about the recent and historic devastating consequences of viruses, but also highlight their crucial role in human evolution and the potential benefits of their existence 

  • a calming talk exploring the power of natural spaces to support mental health wellbeing and recovery 鈥 and the ways these spaces can be managed to maximise their benefits in wellbeing interventions. 

Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor of the 麻豆视频, said: 

鈥淭he 麻豆视频 has a proud history of research and innovation, making real-world impact and changing society for the better for over 50 years. From engineering the original Mini to pioneering small satellites; from quantum solid-state lasers that powered the electronics revolution in the 1980s to advancing AI for the benefit of all; nutrition breakthroughs to a game-changing blood test for meningitis, Surrey has long been a place of wonderful discoveries and inventions.  

鈥淚 am delighted with this year鈥檚 Surrey Showcase of our amazing researchers and their life-changing work, and invite our neighbours from across the Surrey community to join us to be informed, inspired and entertained by the innovation happening on our campus.鈥  

Families are encouraged to attend the Surrey Showcase Live event. A selection of street food and drinks stalls will be present as well as a Kid鈥檚 Fun Zone that includes a bouncy castle.  

Look at the University鈥檚 website for a full list of the talks and interactive demos that make up the Surrey Showcase

, or just turn up on the day. All of the activities are free.  

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