Connecting insights for a sustainable future

An academia – finance industry networking event 

4 June | The Shard, London | 2-8pm 

From Antarctica’s rapidly evolving climate and eco-systems to the cascading global risks they trigger, environmental data now play a crucial role far beyond science. Data shape how industries assess risk, plan for the future, and invest responsibly.

To bridge these domains, and provide an opportunity for knowledge exchange in a supportive environment, we are bringing together academic researchers working with Earth-system data and professionals from the finance industry at a networking event at The Shard.  

This invite-only event provides a unique opportunity to explore how cutting-edge environmental intelligence – from climate risk modelling to space weather forecasting – can support insurance, reinsurance, the sustainable finance industries and green investment to improve decision making, and accelerate meaningful change for people and planet. 

Why attend?

Learn how environmental insights are reshaping risk management and investment strategies globally.


Discover opportunities for collaboration leveraging scientific expertise to drive climate aware finance and climate-positive solutions.


Explore real-world examples, from modelling climate change risks to understanding how solar storms disrupt critical infrastructure and global markets. 

For researchers: 

  • A friendly and welcoming opportunity to build connections in the sustainable finance industry and explore potential collaborations to drive action for a sustainable planet; 
  • Understand the innovation processes and environmental data needs of the finance industry; 
  • Develop mutually beneficial relationships that support your career and professional growth. 

For industry and investment:  

  • Discover British Antarctic Survey environmental data products with the potential to inform risk models and accelerate innovation; 
  • Connect with natural scientists with expertise in environmental data collection and analysis;  
  • Demystify foundational research, discover new perspectives and explore sources of collaborative funding.  

By bringing together diverse perspectives, we can build partnerships to strengthen resilience, unlock sustainable investment, and support evidence-based action. 

Expect structured informality 

  • Presentations on some of the latest British Antarctic Survey research data, how the finance industry uses environmental data and innovation cultures in research and finance; 
  • Informal networking to encourage curiosity and cultural knowledge exchange; 
  • Facilitated round table discussions exploring innovation themes.

Round table discussion themes will include:

Environmental intelligence: Share examples of how data are used, identify similarities and differences in data use and data product development between research and industry.  

Sea level rise: Sea levels are rising as oceans warm and ice melts, increasing the  risk of flooding, supply‑chain disruption and infrastructure damage. Discuss data types and availability, explore priorities for research and industry, explore the development of information pipelines of sea level rise intelligence in industry.  

Space weather: Space has a weather analogue – bursts of energy from the Sun that may damage satellites and disrupt electricity grids, phone signals, GPS, flights and  banking. Discuss data types and availability, explore priorities for research and industry. Explore applications of space weather data in industry.  

 

A workshop on bridging research and industry cultures will be offered to all researchers prior to the event.  This will develop skills in identifying areas for collaboration, crafting compelling narratives with clarity and will start to build a toolkit towards transforming research into action with non-academic partners. 

For more information on how to get involved, please contact G.Salmon@exeter.ac.uk 

 

These events being piloted as part of Developing Business-Aware Academics research project based at the University of Exeter Business School. The project brings together academics, researcher developers, industry, non-profits and policy makers to inspire collaborative and impactful research that addresses today’s most urgent societal and environmental challenges. People who choose to participate, will be asked to read a participant information sheet, sign a research consent form, and complete evaluation questionnaires before and after the sessions.

Image copyright: British Antarctic Survey