Read our LinkedIn post about the Network launch here.
The SUM4Products network launch meeting will take place on 13-14 November 2025 at Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre in Birmingham. The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the SUM4Products network to its academic members and BIG partners, identify cross-cutting challenges and potential special interest groups, and build consortia for pump-priming bids.
Registration
Registration for the event is now closed.
Schedule
Thursday 13 November
The main activities on Thursday will take place in the Hornton Grange venue, which is part of the Edgbaston Park Hotel (EPH). Pre-dinner drinks and dinner will be held in the Lloyd Suite.
1000-1100 Registration and coffee
1100-1130 Introduction and welcome
1130-1200 Overview of SUM4Products and opportunities
1200-1300 Lunch and networking (Food served in EPH restaurant)
1300-1530 Industry talks
Introduction to session
1310-1340 Afton
1340-1410 Johnson Matthey
1410-1440 Mondelez
1440-1450 Lucideon
1450-1500 Croda
1500-1530 Short videos from partners
1530-1600 Coffee break
1600-1715 Group sessions
1715-1730 Closing
1830-1900 Pre-dinner drinks (Lloyd Suite)
1900 Dinner (Lloyd Suite)
Friday 14 November
The activities on Friday will take place in the Writers’ Suite.
0930-0940 Introduction and agenda for the day
0940-1100 Industry talks
0940-1010 PepsiCo
1010-1040 Unilever
1040-1050 Miele
1050-1100 Walgreens Boots Alliance
1100-11:30 Coffee break
1130-1230 Consortia building breakout sessions
1230-1300 Funding details and closing information
1300 Networking lunch with further opportunities for discussions (buffet outside conference room)
Travel and accommodation
The event will take place at the Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre. The venue is a short walk from Birmingham’s University station. There are frequent trains that run between Birmingham New Street and Birmingham University station. The journey time between stations is about 7 minutes.
For those travelling by car, there is free parking at the venue. Just put your registration number into the machine in the hotel lobby.
Discounted accommodation is available at the venue hotel. However, there are a number of alternative and more cost-effective hotel options in the city centre.
Travel funding
We expect participants to cover their own travel. However, there will be an option to apply for travel funding during registration for those who do not have access to funding.
Organisers
The launch event is being organised by the SUM4Products academics leads:
Contact
Please email sum4products@contacts.bham.ac.uk.