.png)
QEII Conference Centre
5 June 2025
08:00 - 17:00
Brought to you by the Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster, the Creating a Scientific Superpower conference is back for its fourth year.
Following the resounding success of last year’s event, the 2025 Scientific Superpower Conference is set to bring together the brightest minds, visionaries, and leaders to shape the UK’s future as a global scientific superpower.
This year’s conference will feature a day of dynamic discussions, networking opportunities, and enterprising insights exploring how to build a globally competitive ecosystem that advances innovation and productivity.
Attendees will have the chance to engage directly with leading scientists, government ministers, business leaders, and investors who are actively shaping the UK’s journey to global scientific leadership. The event offers an exceptional platform to exchange ideas, foster partnerships, and contribute to the nation’s roadmap for science and innovation.
Event Sponsors
Confirmed Speakers
Barry Panayi
Chief Data and Insight Officer at John Lewis Partnership
Dan Thorp
Chief Executive at Cambridge Ahead
Daniel Clark
Business Development Director, New York City Economic Development
Dr Daniel Hulme
CEO, SATALIA
Susan Aitken
Leader of Glasgow City Council
Ed Bussey
Chief Executive Officer, Oxford Science Enterprises
Jacob Ayres-Thomson
CEO, 3AI
Jim Stretton
MD, Advanced Research Clusters
Lisa Flashner
Chief Operating Officer, EIT (Ellison Institute of Technology)
Max Bryan
Partner, Head of Science & Technology, Bidwells
Professor Irene Tracy CBE
Vice-Chancellor, The University of Oxford
Rachel Wolf
Founder, Public First
Arti Garg
Chief Technologist, AVEVA
Roxanne Varza
Director of STATION F
Shaun Grady
Chair of AstraZeneca UK
Beth O'Neill Maloney
Executive Director, Kendall Square Association (KSA)
Dr Simon Harwood
UK Capability Development Director, Leonardo
Professor Deborah Prentice
Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge
Oriel Petry
Senior Vice President, Airbus
Dr Kathryn Chapman
Executive Director, Innovate Cambridge
Look back at 2024...
Event Gallery
Throughout the day, the conference featured dynamic discussions focused on unlocking the UK's potential as a scientific superpower, creating a globally competitive ecosystem, and driving national productivity through innovative manufacturing and advanced R&D.
The conference also showcased the emerging linkages between regional clusters that are accelerating growth in innovation and technology sectors nationwide, while drawing insights from successful global clusters.
Guests were able to connect with leading scientists, government ministers, business leaders, and investors to actively contribute to shaping the UK's journey towards becoming a scientific superpower.
Building on the success of the 2023 conference, which drew over 500 guests and featured speakers from industry giants such as AstraZeneca, Moderna, Altos Labs, UKRI, Aveva, Harwell, Midlands Engine, and two Secretaries of State, the 2024 conference helped chart a course for the future of UK science and innovation as a genuine global superpower.