Business Leader Talks 2023

Digital technology, new media and AI for storytelling, fashion, dance, music, theatre, gaming, creativity and interactive entertainment - the DHI Business Leader Talks are back.

Mix of male and female students look towards front of seminar room

Each year the DHI hosts a series of talks by business leaders who have created and run some of the UK’s leading technology and new media project in the cultural industries. It is an opportunity for you to hear their ideas, and share their journeys and experiences in a series of in-person talks at the University.

How can technology and new media produce innovation in the arts, humanities and cultural sectors? What are the business opportunities? What is the role of research? How do you turn an idea into a successful project or business start-up? Each of our speakers is the visionary behind a project or company that Innovate UK considers to be disruptive and transformational within the cultural industries.

The talks cover a diverse range of topics, including immersive theatre, an online studio for contemporary dance, 3D virtual musicians, 3D virtual fashion, the metaverse, eXtended Reality, NFTs, digital creativity, and interactive storytelling using AI.

Each talk is intended to inform and inspire, opening up possibilities for knowledge sharing and collaboration. The talks are hosted as part of the DHI’s two MA programmes: Digital Culture & Communication, and Cultural Data Management & Communication.

The events are open to DHI students, staff and ECRs from other departments. Entry is free.

Further information about each speaker is available here: 

Rebecca Gadsby, Inside Theatre

New media and technology in theatre.

Tuesday 28th February, 4.00 - 6.00 PM

Alfred Denny Building, LT02

Mervyn Levin, Innovation in digital media

What is innovation? UK/Asia trends in digital media and culture.

Tuesday 7th March, 4.00 - 6.00 PM

Alfred Denny Building, LT02

Jessica Symons, Visioning Lab

Creative content and NFTs for the metaverse.

Tuesday 14th March, 4.00 - 6.00 PM

Alfred Denny Building, LT02

Sarah Coward, In The Room

Live interactive encounters with famous people using AI.

Tuesday 25,the April, 4.00 - 6.00 PM

Alfred Denny Building, LT02

Sara Coppola-Nicholson, Disguise

Extended reality (XR) and the metaverse for live events, film and television.

Tuesday 2nd May, 4.00 - 6.00 PM

Alfred Denny Building, LT02

Mervyn Levin, Planning for innovation

How innovation projects are planned and brought to market.

Wednesday 3rd May, 2.00 - 4.00 PM

Dainton Building, LT01

Michael Millea, Selene XR

Virtual fashion.

Tuesday 9th May, 4.00 - 6.00 PM

Dainton Building, LT01

Candide Kirk, Novellic

Digital stories and reading apps using insights from video gaming.

Wednesday 17th May, 2.00 - 4.00 PM

Dainton Building, LT01