Science & Technology
The Digital Environment Conference 2026
Step into the frontier of human–planet intelligence. This is where the systems that will shape our planetary future are imagined, contested, built and live. Co‑hosted by the University Digital Futures platform and the NERC Digital Solutions Hub, the event will begin with keynote from NVIDIA to mark the 75th anniversary of Alan Turing’s On Computable Numbers, with an Application to the Entscheidungsproblem. This is a gathering of leading thinkers, technologists, researchers and policymakers co‑creating the digital fabric of the environment.
A conference that is also a movement. A place to belong to the community redefining how data, AI and digital infrastructure transform environmental insight, action and governance. Featuring a flagship panel bringing together global voices to debate what responsible, just and visionary digital futures should look like.
Explore breakthrough developments in:
Keynote Speakers
Niall Robinson, NVIDIA
Talk: NVIDA Earth 2: weather and climate in the age of AI
In late 2022, as ChatGPT was making ripples in the public discourse, AI was quietly revolutionising weather foresting, with AI forecasts showing accuracy comparable to traditional forecasts for the first time. Fast-forward four years and AI is set to become an integral part of weather, climate and general earth system science and services. NVIDIA Earth 2 has been at the forefront of this, creating leading open science and open-source technology. Come and find out how NVIDIA is working with others, including the University of Manchester, to create next-generation weather and climate predictions which solve real world problems.
Justin Taylor, Anthropic
Guest Talks
Mark Green, Professor of Health Geography at The University of Liverpool
Asheer Rahman, Impact Entrepreneur and Sustainability Strategist, and Founding Partner of HKX Capital
Ernestina Xinyi Zhu, PhD Researcher in Business Management at The University of Manchester
Kalani Foster, PhD student in the Global Development Institute at The University of Manchester
Dr. Sarah Sutcliffe, Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Just Earth Observation for Conservation (JEO4C)
Dr. Sepeedeh Saleh, Honorary Consultant and Academic Clinical Lecturer in Public Health, Air Quality and Public Health, UKHSA
Dr. Jason Beckwith, Founder & Architect, Talent Science™ Platform, SVP, Talent Science & Predictive Analytics, BioTalent (The IN Group)
Agenda* (*subject to change, please check prior to the event)
9.30am Arrival
10.00am Welcome
10.10am Keynote Speaker: Niall Robinson, NVIDIA
10.45am Break
11.15am Guest Talks: Mark Green, Asheer Rahman and Kalani Foster
12.15pm Lunch
1.15pm Keynote Speaker: Justin Taylor, Anthropic
2.00pm Guest Talks: Ernestina Xinyi Zhu and Dr. Jason Beckwith
3.00pm Break
3.20pm Guest Talks: Dr. Sarah Sutcliffe and Dr. Sepeedeh Saleh
4.00pm Panel Discussion
4.30pm Networking
5.00pm Event Close
More Details To Be Confirmed Soon!
OPEN CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS AND POSTERS
Interested in presenting your work at The Digital Environment Conference 2026?
We have an open call for presentations and posters. Please email Jade at digitalfutures@manchester.ac.uk with presentation/poster title and topic or area of research.
The open call for presentation or poster submissions deadline is Friday 27th February 2026.
Register your interest today — and help shape the digital environment we choose to build.
About Digital Futures:
Digital Futures is a highly interdisciplinary network that operates across the whole range of the University’s digital research. We aim to present a coherent overview of The University of Manchester's digital research activity to external stakeholders and bring together research communities to explore new research areas and address strategic opportunities.
About NERC Digital Solutions Hub:
Developing a Digital Hub and set of Toolkits that exploits environmental and other data (social, economic & health) to create innovative digital services that deliver economic, societal and environmental benefits across the UK.
Connect with Digital Futures:
Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/digitaluom.bsky.social
Linkedin: linkedin.com/showcase/digital-futures-at-the-university-of-manchester
Website: digitalfutures.manchester.ac.uk
Newsletter: tinyurl.com/digitalfuturesuom
Connect with NERC Digital Solutions Hub:
Linkedin: tinyurl.com/3f8bxayn
Website: www.digital-solutions.uk
Bluesky: @nercdsh.bsky.social
