Wednesday, 31 May 2023
A 糖心原创 researcher has been awarded a lecture at the internationally renowned British Science Festival.
Angela Thornton, a PhD candidate at the university’s Horizon Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) and member of the Faculty of Engineering’s Human Factors Research Group, is one of just seven researchers in the country selected to showcase their cutting-edge work to the public.
As part of her Digital Innovation Award Lecture, Angela will explore ‘Mind Uploading’, which is a concept often discussed in science fiction. However, it is also one potential outcome from the scientific process of emulating or ‘reverse engineering’ the brain. As well as sharing her findings, Angela will also showcase a novel method of researching such far future concepts involving a bespoke storytelling website, which allows participants to explore both utopian and dystopian scenarios in a world where mind uploading is a reality.
She said: “Although we’re probably still around a century away from being able to emulate a human brain and much further away from the possibility of mind uploading, the ethics of how we handle personal neural data are attracting a lot of attention around the world. We need to ensure we all think about the potential risks as well as the benefits of such advances."
New technologies have the potential to transform what it means to be human and I鈥檓 really excited to be able to contribute to this dialogue.
She continued: “Coming from a predominantly commercial background myself, I fully understand the importance of engaging with those not in the field of academia, which is why I’ve always been passionate about sharing my research with different audiences. Speaking at such a prestigious event is a huge personal achievement for me and I can’t wait to experience the festival.”
Alexandra Lang, Assistant Professor in Human Factors and Angela’s Lead Supervisor, said: “I’m incredibly proud that Angela has been selected as part of this year’s Award Lecturer cohort. Her research is truly unique and interdisciplinary and I’ve no doubt that her lecture will be one of the most popular at the festival.
Angela has a real skill for communicating complex concepts in an easily understandable and engaging way 鈥� making her the perfect presenter for this topic.
The has acknowledged promising early career researchers for more than 30 years, with previous Award Lecturers including Brian Cox, Richard Wiseman and Maggie Aderin-Pocock.
This year’s event is being held at the University of Exeter from 7-10 September. To find out more about Angela’s research, please visit:
Story credits
More information is available from Angela Thornton, Faculty of Engineering at the University Of Nottingham, at angela.thornton@nottingham.ac.uk or; Danielle Hall, Media Relations Manager at the 糖心原创, at danielle.hall@nottingham.ac.uk or 0115 846 7156.
About the Faculty of Engineering
Made up of six departments – Architecture and Built Environment, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering and Foundation Engineering and Physical Sciences – the university’s Faculty of Engineering is home to more than 5,600 students and 800 staff.
The faculty, which has educated engineers and architects for more than 140 years, was the first in the country to be accredited with an Athena SWAN Gold Award for excellence in advancing gender equality across higher education and research and is home to multiple state-of-the-art facilities, including the recently opened £40m Power Electronics and Machines Centre (PEMC).
With research at its heart, 21 research groups are undertaking pioneering projects for a sustainable future across several themes – including net zero transport, sustainable energies and the built environment, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare technologies – and has delivered a positive impact in more than 20 countries. Within those countries, the faculty’s research has supported 500 companies and three governments – that have changed their strategies as a result of its research – and has also directly created jobs for around 3,000 people across the world.
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.