Collaborate Ignition's biggest attendance to date.

More than 200 students, organisations and staff came together from around the world to join this year’s virtual collaboration. The event was opened with a message from our Vice Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings. Professor Jennings explained how the university was hard wired to collaborate with industry, government and society due to the applied nature of the research of its incredible staff.  Professor Jennings was followed by inspiring words from Gavin Poole, CEO of Here East, who spoke of creating a collaborative community on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.  Finally, Prof Tony Edwards, Dean of Loughborough University London, also gave his vision on how the London campus is connecting its staff and students to collaborations that are transforming research and lives. 

The event was the starting point for activities for the Collaborative Dissertation for this year’s set of postgraduate students. The Collaborative Dissertation is a whole campus opportunity whereby students can opt to explore completing their largest module; the dissertation, next summer, in collaboration with an external Partner Organisation. 

To help ignite conversations and connections between potential collaborators, this year it was decided that the school’s overarching research themes of Sustainability, Development for Social Change and Inclusive Innovation should provide the focus for the event. The event united eighteen panellists who shared insights and opportunities from the following organisations: Manifesto, Voi, Lendlease, Vertical Farming Project, Zaptec, Carbon Intelligence, WHO, Modulairty Grid, Citizens UK, FCDO, thisgreatadventure, The Valuable 500, Supercrease, LLDC, Plexal, Samosa, Echo, Hackney Wick & Fish Island CDT. 

Collaborate Dissertation is a free-to-collaborate opportunity and has been of high value to many organisations to date. It has helped them to explore new areas of research with academic rigor while also helping them connect with and potentially source highly talented and sought-after Loughborough University London graduates.  

Students, organisations and staff have until 1st February to continue the connections for collaboration. Prospective collaborating Organisations can also propose research questions to the whole student cohort.  Interested students will then be able to respond back with a video pitch to help decide whether to commence a collaboration. 

To join Collaborative Dissertation as a Partner Organisation this year, a short research question can be proposed through this form here. In addition, a pre-submission exploratory call can also be arranged here.  Proposals are required by 1st February while it’s encouraged to make the proposal as soon as convenient.