Oxford and Cambridge Society Public Lecture - Professor Tim Minshall: Your Life is Manufactured

How are the things around us actually made?

From the phone in your pocket to the medicines we rely on, manufacturing shapes almost every aspect of modern life. Yet it is often invisible until something goes wrong.

We are living at a time where global supply chains are increasingly influenced by geopolitical tensions, critical dependencies can become strategic vulnerabilities, and the way we produce and consume goods has profound consequences for our planet. Understanding manufacturing and its links to innovation has never been more important.

The Oxford and Cambridge Society of Estonia, in partnership with the Estonian Academy of Sciences, is delighted to welcome Professor Tim Minshall, Head of the Institute for Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge, in Estonia for the inaugural Oxford and Cambridge Society Annual Lecture.

Drawing on insights from his acclaimed book Your Life is Manufactured, Professor Minshall will take the audience on a journey through the hidden world of manufacturing. The lecture will explore how products are made and why resilient supply chains and innovation matter. It will argue why manufacturing should be treated as an intrinsic part of science and innovation policy, and how such a mindset can help government, business and academia in Estonia and Europe in the shift from lower-cost industry to higher-value manufacturing and innovation.

The lecture will be followed by an audience Q&A, offering an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing manufacturing, innovation, and European competitiveness in an increasingly uncertain world.

Whether you are a student or researcher, policymaker or entrepreneur, or simply curious about how the modern world works, we look forward to welcoming you at the Estonian Academy of Sciences on Friday, 2 October.

The event is free of charge, but pre-registration via Luma is required due to limited room capacity. Tickets will be checked at the door.

Programme

17:30 – Doors open18:00 – Welcome remarks by David Clark, President of the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Estonia18:05 – Lecture by Professor Tim Minshall18:45 – Discussion and audience Q&A, moderated by Professor Maarja Kruusmaa, Head of the Centre for Biorobotics at TalTech

Following the lecture, we are also planning a get-together at a nearby venue to continue the conversation in a more casual setting for those interested. Further details will follow, but if you would be keen to join, please select the relevant ticket option to give us a sense of numbers.

About the speaker

Tim Minshall is the inaugural Dr John C Taylor Professor of Innovation at the University of Cambridge, Head of the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), and a Fellow of Churchill College. His research, teaching and outreach are focused on the links between manufacturing and innovation.

Since joining the University of Cambridge in 2002, Tim has played a very active role in the development of innovation and technology management activities across the University and with companies in the Cambridge cluster, one of the largest and most successful technology clusters in Europe.

This event has been made possible by the kind assistance of the University of Cambridge's David Peace Grant Scheme. Please note that this event may be photographed or recorded. By attending, you acknowledge that images may be used for promotional and communication purposes by MTÜ Oxford & Cambridge Club Estonia (80389897).