In this episode of Enterprise Sessions from the University of Bristol, Professor Michele Barbour speaks with Professor Paul Bates, world‑leading expert in flood inundation modelling and co‑founder of Fathom, one of the University’s most successful research‑driven companies.

Paul reflects on a remarkable career that began with a Bristol PhD in the late 1980s and evolved into pioneering work that transformed global flood modelling. He describes the technological shift that enabled a new generation of high‑resolution terrain data, the academic debates that reshaped the field, and the multidisciplinary collaborations that built the foundation for Fathom’s modelling techniques.

The conversation traces Fathom’s origins from two ambitious PhD students with an idea, through early years of bootstrapping, to international clients including insurers, banks, multinationals, and the World Bank. Paul also discusses the challenges of spinning out before universities had mature commercialisation systems, the importance of staying ahead of competitors through transparency and innovation, and the recent acquisition of Fathom by Swiss Re.

Finally, Paul reflects on what research entrepreneurship means within academia, how Fathom has strengthened Bristol’s scientific capabilities, and what lies ahead for both him and the next generation of global flood models.

🔍 In the episode:

·        The origins of flood inundation modelling at Bristol

·        How new airborne laser mapping transformed what was scientifically possible

·        Overturning long‑held assumptions in the field

·        The multidisciplinary team behind high‑resolution flood models

·        Serendipity, road trips — and how two PhD students sparked a company

·        Fathom’s unconventional path: bootstrapping, grants and early customers

·        Data‑as‑a‑service before it was mainstream

·        Building global flood maps used by insurers, governments and financial institutions

·        Staying ahead of competitors by publishing methods openly

·        Growing from four founders to a 50‑person global team

·        Acquisition by Swiss Re and what it means for the future

·        Entrepreneurship in academia: culture, opportunity and barriers

·        The virtuous cycle between research and commercial innovation

·        What’s next: NASA’s SWOT satellite and the next era of global flood modelling

🌐 About the Enterprise Sessions 

The Enterprise Sessions bring together a diverse mix of company founders and researchers who talk openly about their personal experiences of forming spinouts and start-ups, raising capital, academic-industry partnerships and the joys of translating research discoveries into real-world impact. The series aims to inform, inspire and challenge myths and stereotypes about research commercialisation and how businesses and universities can work together to tackle society’s biggest challenges.  

👍 Like, Share, Subscribe, Explore

If you found this episode inspiring or informative, please don’t forget to like and share. Visit our website or subscribe to the University of Bristol’s YouTube channel for more Enterprise Sessions.  

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/enterprise-sessions 

Paul Bates – LinkedIn

Michele Barbour – LinkedIn

Of all the scares and scandals around meat farming practices in the UK, few have been as persistent as been bovine TB. While we're nowhere near the 1930s estimate of the number of cattle infected, it's never really gone away. Why is that?

Dr. Neil Watt of MV Diagnostics joins us to cover where bovine TB has been hiding between outbreaks, how changes in testing may help pin it down, and why now might be the turning point on the management, maybe even eradication, of bovine TB in the UK.

Read the original paper: https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.4241

Read more : https://www.mvdiagnostics.co.uk/

In this episode of Enterprise Sessions from the University of Bristol, Professor Michele Barbour sits down with Professor Ash Toye and Professor Jan Frayne, two leading biochemists whose long‑standing research partnership has evolved into one of the UK’s most exciting biotechnology spin‑outs: Scarlet Therapeutics.

Together, Ash and Jan share the remarkable journey from academic collaboration to scientific breakthrough — and ultimately to founding a company built on the promise of lab‑grown and engineered red blood cells. What began as a quest to understand red blood cell development became a platform capable of producing universal donor cells, modelling rare diseases, and creating “blood as medicine” through engineered therapeutics.

This episode goes far beyond the science. Ash and Jan discuss the reality of spinning out a wet‑lab biotech, the commercial challenges, the importance of the right CEO, and the dynamics of co‑founding a company with a long‑term academic collaborator. They also speak candidly about funding frustrations, scientific obsession, conflict‑of‑interest tightropes, and the excitement of helping their postdocs become industry scientists.

🔍 In the episode:

• Bristol as the UK’s “red blood cell corner”
• Making red blood cells in the lab: from stem cells to clinical trials
• The origins of Scarlet Therapeutics — and why the first idea “wasn’t enough”
• Immortalised red blood cell lines and the role of CRISPR
• Therapeutic blood: treating metabolic disorders using engineered cells
• How to pick a CEO — and why neither founder wanted to be one
• What happens when a US company beats you to your idea
• The emotional rollercoaster of fundraising and venture capital
• Navigating dual identities as academics and directors
• The power of co‑founding: creativity, challenge and complementary personalities
• What lab‑grown blood means for rare donor groups and transfusion medicine
• How spin‑out life feeds inspiration back into academic research
• Advice for researchers considering commercialisation or co‑founding

🌐 About the Enterprise Sessions 

The Enterprise Sessions bring together a diverse mix of company founders and researchers who talk openly about their personal experiences of forming spinouts and start-ups, raising capital, academic-industry partnerships and the joys of translating research discoveries into real-world impact. The series aims to inform, inspire and challenge myths and stereotypes about research commercialisation and how businesses and universities can work together to tackle society’s biggest challenges.  

👍 Like, Share, Subscribe, Explore 

If you found this episode inspiring or informative, please don’t forget to like and share. Visit our website or subscribe to the University of Bristol’s YouTube channel for more Enterprise Sessions.  

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/enterprise-sessions 

​What ​if ​you ​could ​tell ​ahead ​of ​time ​who ​needed ​how ​much ​pain ​relief? 

​What ​if ​you ​could ​avoid ​administering ​opioids ​to ​those ​with ​the ​highest ​risk ​of ​addiction, ​even ​if ​they ​didn't ​already ​know ​for ​themselves? 

What ​if ​you ​could ​help ​ease ​the ​pain ​of ​a ​patient ​in ​need ​and ​be ​sure ​that ​you've ​made ​the ​right ​call? 

Brian ​Meshkin ​of Proove ​Genomics shares his journey from personal tragedy to pioneering a scoring system that helps clinicians assess pain relief needs based on genetic profiles. Discover how this innovative approach aims to mitigate the opioid crisis by identifying patients at risk of addiction and personalizing pain treatment. Join us for an insightful discussion that blends science, compassion, and the urgent need for change in pain management.

Find out more at https://proove.com/

What if one university helped shape modern climate science? Discover how the University of Reading became synonymous with the field and why it remains at the centre of that story.

This World Meteorology Day 2026, we trace the evolution of climate science, from the Antarctic ozone hole in 1985 to today’s global challenges, and explore how Reading became a hub for the ideas, research and people driving the field forward.

In this episode, Professor Hannah Cloke OBE from the University of Reading's Department of Meteorology speaks with Professor Keith Shine FRS, the UK’s Regius Professor of Climate Science, and Dr Jolene Cook OBE, climate science advisor to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the UK’s representative to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Together, they examine Reading’s role in climate science and reflect on the field’s growth and future. Their journeys, shaped in part by the university, offer insight into how the discipline has developed, how universities and government are preparing the next generation of climate scientists, and the opportunities ahead for early career researchers.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Discover Reading, a global centre for climate science
00:52 – Meet the voices, Keith Shine and Jolene Cook
02:10 – Pathways into climate science, where it all began
04:32 – 1985 and beyond, the ozone hole and growth of atmospheric science
07:25 – A defining role, the UK’s first Regius Professor of Climate Science
09:00 – Learning at Reading, shaping a generation of scientists
12:52 – From science to policy, the role of the IPCC
17:00 – Preparing the next generation, universities, government and early career opportunities
25:30 – Reading at 100, looking ahead to the next century of climate science

In this episode of Enterprise Sessions from the University of Bristol, Professor Michele Barbour speaks with Dr Myles‑Jay Linton, Senior Lecturer in the School of Education, whose career has woven economics, health research, digital innovation and co‑production into a distinctive, socially impactful research portfolio.

Myles‑Jay reflects on his journey from an interdisciplinary PhD at the University of Exeter to applied healthcare work in Bristol Medical School, a prestigious Vice‑Chancellor’s Fellowship, and now pioneering work on the intersection of youth mental health and digital life. Along the way, he has collaborated with clinicians, policymakers, university leaders, young people, and—unusually for his field—a commercial mental health app developer.

From shaping national guidance on information‑sharing in student mental health crises, to co‑creating digital toolkits with practitioners, to supporting developers integrating AI into peer‑support platforms, this episode explores how enterprise and social impact can coexist powerfully in research that is compassionate, rigorous, and deeply collaborative.

🔍 In the episode:

• Moving from economics into applied health research
• The value of not specialising too early
• Working with patients, clinicians and the public on locally‑rooted healthcare projects
• Measuring student mental health: tools, policies and global collaboration
• Co‑production as a core research practice—why it matters
• Informing national policy on emergency contacts and circles of support
• Collaborating with a commercial mental health app (Tell Me) to support young adults
• Ethical, practical and emotional considerations for researchers working in sensitive areas
• Digital Dialogues: improving practitioner conversations about online life and wellbeing
• Scaling training for mental health professionals—and the policy questions that follow
• The future of digital mental health and Myles‑Jay’s emerging entrepreneurial mindset

🌐 About the Enterprise Sessions

The Enterprise Sessions bring together a diverse mix of company founders and researchers who talk openly about their personal experiences of forming spinouts and start-ups, raising capital, academic-industry partnerships and the joys of translating research discoveries into real-world impact. The series aims to inform, inspire and challenge myths and stereotypes about research commercialisation and how businesses and universities can work together to tackle society’s biggest challenges.

👍 Like, Share, Subscribe, Explore

If you found this episode inspiring or informative, please don’t forget to like and share. Visit our website or subscribe to the University of Bristol’s YouTube channel for more Enterprise Sessions.

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/enterprise-sessions

Connect with our Guests:

Prof. Michele Barbour – LinkedIn

Dr. Myles-Jay Linton – LinkedIn

In the first double-guest episode of Enterprise Sessions from the University of Bristol, Professor Michele Barbour speaks with Professor Martin Kuball and Dr Katie Hore for a compelling conversation about Rewire — the UK’s flagship Innovation and Knowledge Centre transforming the future of power electronics, semiconductors and clean energy. 

Together, they unpack how advanced semiconductor materials, national-scale collaboration, and deep industry partnerships are accelerating the shift to reliable, efficient and sustainable electrical systems. From 5‑minute EV charging to radiation‑hard materials for fusion reactors and space missions, discover how Rewire is shaping technologies that will power our future. 

Learn how Martin and Katie’s very different career journeys converged on the shared mission of building a national semiconductor ecosystem — one that spans curiosity‑driven research, cutting-edge materials science, industrial co‑creation, and the training of the next generation of innovators. 

🔍 In the episode: 

• How Rewire is reinventing semiconductor technology for the UK and beyond 
• The surprising links between fundamental science and real‑world engineering impact 
• What Innovation and Knowledge Centres are — and why they matter 
• Building an ecosystem: 35+ industrial partners, three universities, and government 
• The future of power electronics: efficient grids, EV charging, aerospace & fusion 
• How students, postdocs and startups join and benefit from the Rewire community 
• Career reflections: taking opportunities, embracing uncertainty and finding the fun 

🌐 About the Enterprise Sessions  

The Enterprise Sessions bring together a diverse mix of company founders and researchers who talk openly about their personal experiences of forming spinouts and start-ups, raising capital, academic-industry partnerships and the joys of translating research discoveries into real-world impact. The series aims to inform, inspire and challenge myths and stereotypes about research commercialisation and how businesses and universities can work together to tackle society’s biggest challenges.   

👍 Like, Share, Subscribe, Explore  

If you found this episode inspiring or informative, please don’t forget to like and share. Visit our website or subscribe to the University of Bristol’s YouTube channel for more Enterprise Sessions.   

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/enterprise-sessions  

Connect with our Guests:  

Prof. Michele Barbour – LinkedIn

Prof. Martin Kuball - LinkedIn

Dr. Katie Hore - LinkedIn

REWIRE - LinkedIn

The climate crisis is one of the most pressing challenges of our time; but diverse sources of knowledge may help us navigate it better. This was the thematic focus of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change workshops recently hosted at the University of Reading.

In this live Q&A, Professor Jim Skea (chair of the IPCC) was joined by Rowan Sutton (Met Office), Sarah Honour (Dept. of Energy Security and Net Zero) and Professor Ed Hawkins (University of Reading) to discuss the role of indigenous voices, the withdrawal of the US from climate agreements, and the importance of making climate information accessible for future generations.

This episode was recorded live on February 9, 2026, at the University of Reading.

Find out more about the University of Reading, it's relationship with IPCC and how it has carved out a position at the heart of climate change conversations.

Chapters:

• 02:20 Why the IPCC is looking to involve diverse ‘knowledge systems’
• 04:26 How the UK Government and Met Office work with the IPCC process
• 09:35 What it’s like to be a researcher involved in the IPCC report cycle
•  12:02 How the IPCC has evolved and how it might evolve in the next 40 years
• 21:34 Audience question #1: Impact of the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement
• 24:22 Audience question #2: How is the IPCC actively involving diverse voices?
•  26:35 Audience  question #3: How can young people make a positive impact in combatting climate change?

In this episode of Enterprise Sessions from the University of Bristol, Professor Michele Barbour sits down with Dr. Richard Cole, Lecturer in Digital Futures within the Department of Classics and Ancient History, for a fascinating deep dive into the unexpected synergy between ancient narratives and cutting-edge technology.  

Discover how Richard’s journey from historical fiction to virtual reality and AI-powered gaming led to the creation of the Bristol Digital Game Lab, a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration between academia and the gaming industry. From algorithmic bias to postnatal depression, learn how game jams and immersive storytelling are being used to tackle complex societal challenges.  

🔍 In the episode:  

• The intersection of classics and digital innovation  
• How games can be tools for humanistic inquiry  
• Collaborating with industry to build meaningful experiences  
• The future of AI-driven gameplay and museum engagement  
• Empowering students through game design and research  

🌐 About the Enterprise Sessions 

The Enterprise Sessions bring together a diverse mix of company founders and researchers who talk openly about their personal experiences of forming spin-outs and start-ups, raising capital, academic-industry partnerships and the joys of translating research discoveries into real-world impact. The series aims to inform, inspire and challenge myths and stereotypes about research commercialisation and how businesses and universities can work together to tackle society's biggest challenges.  

👍 Like, Share, Subscribe, Explore 

If you found this episode inspiring or informative, please don’t forget to like and share. Visit our website or subscribe to the University of Bristol’s YouTube channel for more Enterprise Sessions.  

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/enterprise-sessions 

ChatGPT has been a game-changer for education. Students now frequently use Generative Artificial Intelligence to complete assignments, but concern is growing about how this affects their academic integrity and critical thinking.

Michelle Cheong is a Professor of Information Systems in Education at the Singapore Management University. By evaluating ChatGPT’s performance in spreadsheet modelling, her latest research provides important insights into how educators can redesign student assessments to enhance learning at different cognitive levels.

Read the original research: doi.org/10.1111/jcal.70035

Join Professor Michele Barbour for an energising and deeply insightful conversation with Dr Luke Cox, CEO of Impulsonics, a University of Bristol spin‑out transforming how cell handling and automation are done in biotechnology. 

What begins as an exploration of Luke’s journey from engineering undergraduate to PhD researcher becomes an exhilarating story of invention, grit, and entrepreneurial drive. From early work in acoustic levitation to co‑developing a novel “impulse control” technology, Luke unpacks how a speculative research project evolved into a breakthrough method for moving millions of cells simultaneously — enabling automation where traditional tools have long failed. 

Discover how Luke navigated the risks, setbacks, and thrill of taking on the role of CEO while spinning out a deep‑tech company; how customer discovery reshaped their market focus; and why Impulsonics’ modular, ultrasound‑based approach could unlock scalable personalised medicine, reduced lab waste, and new possibilities in drug discovery. 

This is a candid discussion about ambition, risk engineering, accidental luck, and finding the “beachhead market” that biologists have needed for decades — all told with Luke’s characteristic insight, humility, and humour. 

In this episode 

• From engineering undergrad to PhD researcher: discovering acoustic levitation 
• The origins of “impulse control” and its biocompatible applications 
• Why automation in biotechnology breaks down — and how Impulsonics bridges the gap 
• Building prototypes, identifying markets and finding early‑stage grant funding 
• Becoming CEO: translating between tech, biology, and business 
• How automation could enable precision functional medicine 
• The role of AI: hype, data quality, and industry realities 
• Storytelling, improv theatre, and becoming unafraid to ask “stupid questions” 
• Advice for early‑career researchers and aspiring entrepreneurs 

🌐 About the Enterprise Sessions 
The Enterprise Sessions bring together founders and researchers to share candid insights on spin-outs, start-ups, raising capital, and translating research into real-world impact. Our goal? To inform, inspire, and challenge myths about research commercialisation. 

👍 Like, Share, Subscribe 
If you enjoyed this episode, please like and share! Explore more at University of Bristol Enterprise Sessions and subscribe to our YouTube channel for future episodes. 

Connect with our Guests: 

Dr Luke Cox – LinkedIn

Prof Michele Barbour – LinkedIn 

Chapters 

0:00 – Introductions

0:34 – From engineering student to acoustic levitation researcher 

3:20 – How ultrasound manipulates millions of cells  

5:25 – Exploring the potential of ultrasound and technology  

9:00 – How the culture of innovation in Bristol inspired Luke

13:08 – Creating a product useful for the target audience 

18:22 – Finding direction through the ICURe programme 

22:47 – How cell passaging became the perfect first market — and how Impulsonics automates it 

27:10 – Leadership, learning to translate across disciplines, and choosing not to bring in an external CEO 

32:29 – Navigating grants, investors, risk engineering, relationships, and the realities of building hardware and biology together 

42:28 – How Impulsonics’ technology could enable patient‑specific drug testing and more sustainable labs 

46:19 – The founder mindset

51:45 – Advice for early‑career researchers