Our 7th annual Research Festival was held on Thursday 16th & Friday 17th October 2025 in partnership with Biosphere Isle of Man. The Villa Marina played host to two incredible days of fantastic research conducted on or about the Isle of Man, with the theme of our Biosphere. The event was officially opened by the Chief Minister, Hon Alred Cannan MHK, and in the closing remarks, UCM's University Centre Manager, Gail Corrin announced the launch of new Masters degrees.
The Keynote lecture (Biosphere Isle of Man's Annual Lecture) was entitled Living in a laboratory - co-creating the future of Isle of Man Biosphere. The workshop was conducted by the Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth,Powys.
Thank you to all the presenters, Manx Graduates who entered the dissertation competition and stand holders; IOM Biosphere Artist in Residence Exhibition, IOM Biosphere Photographer in Residence Exhibition, Tynwald, Parliamentary Research Services, IOM Government Public Records Office, The Hive (UCM Library) & TELG, Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian society, CAT, Machynlleth, Wales, IOM Biosphere, Earthscope, Department of Health & Social Care - Human Tissue and Organ Donation Act, Research Posters & Manx Graduate Dissertation Competition entries. You can enjoy some of the content produced by the artist in residence; 'Sonisphere' - UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man Binaural Nature Soundscape & 'Sonisphere' - UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man Nature Soundscape
What does Biosphere mean to you?
If you missed the event and would like to access the slides & videos, these are available below:
Reimagining our Biosphere: Systemic Tools for a Regenerative Economy in the Isle of Man
Presented by Ali Hodgson MA (RCA) - GraphicArtist, Designer, Systems Thinker, Lucy Chapman & Charlotte Traynor
Protecting older people from heat injury in the time of climate change
Presented by Dr Andrew Garrett
eDNA surveys on the Island (Fish species detection in the Island’s rivers, A large-scale bacterial survey of the waters around Peel bay and the marina & Various method developments and improvements which are cutting-edge in the environmental testing arena)
Presented by Dr. Rachel Glover, Managing Director / Chief Scientist
Peaceful Connections: Exploring Creativity and Well-being through Biosphere Engagement
Presented by Colette Davies Cert Ed, MA, MFA&Ed, FHEA Lecturer in Fine Art and Critical and Contextual Studies at UCM
Click here to view the meditation.
Asbestos: the 20th century gift that keeps giving
Presented by James P. Stanley a and Adrian P. Dobbs a a University of Surrey, Guilford, PhD student focused on developing new anti-cancer drugs
The use of VR and mindful fractals for alleviating menopause symptoms and promoting sexual well-being
Presented by Professor Samantha Banbury, Sophie Renaudineau & Barbara Marianowska from London Metropolitan University
THE ROAD TO CARBON ZERO a twenty year plus research project into Sustainable housing and how to adapt our lifestyle to embrace the concept
Presented by John Sheppard, Technical Director, Wren Sustainable Limited
A stakeholder’s perspective on some of the factors influencing the relationship between UNESCO Biosphere status and the Isle of Man’s place brand
Presented by Dr Florida Clements DBA MScEng MBA CertEd FHEA, Lecturer, Programme Leader in Business Management
A 'Meitheal' for Mothers: Community Singing and The Maternal Experience
Presented by Sarah McCarthy, Victoria College, London
An innovative approach for the removal of heavy metals (zinc, lead etc.) from former mine affected streams and rivers on the Isle of Man
Presented by Jeremy Reece B. Eng, C. Eng, FICE, FPWI, MAPM, Senior Project Manager, Department of Infrastructure & Professor Devin Sapsford from Cardiff University.
From the Mouths of Manx Mothers: An introduction to maternal health during the medieval period of the Isle of Man (AD500 – 1500)
Presented by Dr. Marie C. Weale, Manx National Heritage, Dr. Christopher Aris, Keele University, Sarah Kerruish, Independent Researcher and Archaeologist, & Allison Fox, Manx National Heritage
Can Small Islands Resist the Big Lies? A Media-Ethnographic Research Agenda for Misinformation Resilience in the Isle of Man
Presented by Dr Jasbeer Musthafa Mamalipurath, FHEA, Lecturer in Media Studies, Queen’s University Belfast
A quest for darker skies: light pollution and its effects on astronomy, wildlife, nature and the environment. Can the IOM gain International Dark Sky status?
Presented by Howard Parkin MBE BSc BEd FRAS
Click here to view the slides
Spuds, herring and Ellan Vannin: exploring local food and drink as tools for social group formation and demarcation on the Isle of Man
Presented by Ben Johnston, BA (Hons) Politics, International Relations and History
Can an Island afford to meet its climate commitments?
Presented by David G. Quirk, Adrian Cowin, Rebecca Keeley & Ralph Peake, Energy & Sustainability Centre IOM
Cannabis companies: opportunities and challenges for a sustainable future
Presented by Dr Vasileios “Bill” Kallinterakis, Durham University
UNESCO IOM Biosphere Update - Where we are now
Presented by Jacqui Keenan, Coordinator, UBIOM
Interactions: Aspirations for the Isle of Man Biosphere - some concluding thoughts
Presented by Dr Douglas G. Fox, Senior Research Scientist (Emeritus) at Colorado State University, USA, UCM Honary Fellow.
Previous events
If you missed the Research Festival in previous years you can watch the presentations from:
What is the Research Festival
Hosted by UCM in partnership with researchers on and off the Island (and this year in partnership with Biosphere Isle of Man), Research Vannin is taking a collaborative approach to promoting a vibrant and productive research community through the sharing of resources, events and networking opportunities. Our goal is to facilitate collaboration between researchers, on and off-Island; promote the reputation of Island-based research, and educate.
The Research Festival offers students, independent researchers and guests alike the opportunity to listen to presentations, participate in research workshops and network over coffee and lunch.