Sunshine conference set to tackle global issues

World-leading scientists, academics, business people and policy makers will assemble at the University from 13-14 September for the Shine International Conference. They will come together in search of ideas, actions and products that will use the power of the sun to increase global food and energy sustainability.

The conference, which will be held at the University’s Richard Roberts Atrium, forms part of Project Sunshine, a University research initiative which is tackling the biggest challenges facing the world today: meeting the increasing food and energy needs of the world’s population in the context of an uncertain climate and global environment change.

Speakers will include: Sir John Beddington FRS, UK Government Chief Science Advisor; industry leaders Professor Ellen Williams, Chief Scientist at BP and Dr Mike Bushell, Syngenta Principal Scientific Advisor; and world leading academics such as Mike Lockwood FRS, University of Reading; Lord Julian Hunt FRS, University College London; Steve Running, University of Montana; Steve Long, University of Illinois; Jim Barber FRS, Imperial College; Neil Hunter FRS, University of Sheffield and Graham Fleming FRS, University of California. There will also be a panel discussion with Quentin Cooper from BBC Radio 4.

The global issues of food, energy and environmental change are complex and inter-connected, requiring integrated, flexible solutions, appropriate for different scenarios in different parts of the world. Topics to be discussed during the conference include biogeochemical cycles, new solar technology, fuel and plants for food and the ways in which we can move forward and address these issues.

It is hoped the conference and project can start to change the way scientists think and work and become the inspiration for a new generation of scientists focused on solving the world´s problems.

Project Sunshine has already seen a wealth of groundbreaking research emerge from the University. This has included a pioneering venture to develop new, higher-yielding crop plants which could ease the threat of hunger for the poor, as well as the discovery of musical sounds created by vibrations within the sun's atmosphere, something that can help us understand the variations in solar activity that can have such major effects on our planet.

In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg opened a major solar farm on the roof of a University of Sheffield building in August 2010 as part of an investment hoped to help lead the way in photovoltaic research and boost our knowledge of renewable energy.

Professor Tony Ryan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Science at the University of Sheffield and Director of Project Sunshine, said: “It’s the responsibility of the Government, academics and industry to work together to solve the problem of food and energy security. The University of Sheffield will provide a leading contribution in a network of scientists with a long term vision.”

Professor Peter Horton FRS, Project Sunshine Research Director, added: “This is the first time that a conference has brought together such a broad range of expertise to address these major global problems in an integrated manner.”

To find out more and to book your place visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/shineconference or call Shelagh Cowley on +44 (0)114 222 9520

For more information on Project Sunshine, visit: http://shine.sheffield.ac.uk/

Conference schedule:

Day 1

Opening – Defining the Problem
Tony Ryan OBE, University of Sheffield, UK
Ellen Williams, BP, UK

The Sun and the Earth System
Mike Lockwood FRS, University of Reading, UK
Lord Julian Hunt, University College London, UK
Peter Cox, University of Exeter, UK

Biogeochemical Cycles
Steve Running, University of Montana, USA
David Beerling, University of Sheffield, UK

Plants for Food and Fuel
Steve Long, University of Illinois at Urbana, USA
Alison Smith, John Innes Centre, UK

Day 2

New Solar Technologies
Yosuf Chisti, Massey University, Palmerston North, NZ
Jim Barber FRS, Imperial College, UK
Neil Hunter FRS, University of Sheffield, UK
David Lidzey, University of Sheffield, UK

The Way Forward – Working Together
Mike Bushell, Syngenta, UK
Graham Fleming FRS, University of California at Berkeley, USA
Alan Knight OBE, Single Living Planet, UK
Sir John Beddington FRS, UK Government
Panel Discussion with Quentin Cooper, BBC R4