University college Isle of Man’s second annual Festival of Research saw a large turnout of students and members of the public coming together to listen to applied academic discussions.

The theme this year was ’sustainable’, meaning to ’focus on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future’.

This aimed to reflect an emerging outcome of the disruptive impact of Covid-19 - that individuals, organisations and governments are reconsidering how we live best in terms of natural resources, health and economic agendas.

The event saw a variety of both experienced and new researchers providing an eclectic range of presentations on their areas of expertise.

UCM Honorary Fellow Dr Rachel Glover delivered a presentation on ’The Isle of Man and covid-19: the evolution of a pandemic’.

Sarah Mercer from Culture Vannin discussed ’Island Utopias’, and people’s hopes and fears for the future.

Dr Amy Monroe then spoke about ’Contagious Altruism’, a theory which demonstrates the evolutionary basis for and benefits of ’kindness’.

Research newcomer and UCM BSc Hons Public Health graduate Lonan Challis then discussed her study, the Listening Project, on how the Hospice Isle of Man strategy to improve palliative and end of life care was made in partnership with the Island community.

Finally, UCM lecturer Dr Christa McCartney presented her research on developing business leaders in sustainable practices - ’Business for good is good for business’.

UCM Principal Jo Pretty said: ’We are extremely pleased to return for our second Festival of Research, and to have such a broad variety of experienced researchers spare their time to share such unique academic projects.’

’Research is a valuable component of today’s society, as a primary source of innovation across all academic disciplines.’

’This year’s festival has given us a flavour of how researchers are utilising different methodologies for their work, and how our understanding of research outcomes, are shaping future directions, not only for our Island’s economy, but also for sustainable local and global futures.’

The day also saw two 2020 UCM graduates, Myfanwy Gelder and Callum Staley, present their dissertation findings and how they achieved their research. This was followed by workshops for those planning to undertake their first research projects.