Event: Cranfield University Wastewater Conference 2022 – IWA Young Water Professionals Pitch Sessions

Date: November 2022

Location: Cranfield University, UK

Type of CPD: Event hosting / innovation leadership / mentoring and sector engagement

Duration: Half‑day event (host + participant)

Summary of the Event

I attended the Cranfield Wastewater Conference 2022, a key annual event bringing together researchers, utilities, technology companies and early‑career professionals to explore emerging science, technologies and operational challenges in wastewater treatment.

I was invited to host the IWA Pitch Sessions, a dedicated platform for young water professionals to present innovative research, new technologies and early‑stage concepts. The session forms an important part of the conference’s mission to strengthen the bridge between academia and industry and to support the next generation of water sector innovators.

My role involved facilitating the session, engaging with presenters, and providing constructive feedback to help them refine their communication and strengthen the real‑world relevance of their work.

My Contribution: Host of the IWA Pitch Sessions

Key responsibilities and contributions:

• Served as session host, introducing speakers, managing timings and ensuring a smooth flow of presentations.
• Provided technical, strategic and communication feedback to early‑career researchers and innovators.
• Encouraged presenters to articulate the operational, environmental and societal impact of their work.
• Highlighted the importance of innovation pathways, including piloting, validation and commercialisation.
• Facilitated audience Q&A and discussion, helping connect academic research with industry needs.
• Represented industry perspectives, offering insight into practical deployment challenges and opportunities.

Key Themes Covered

Skills and capability development Supporting young professionals in communicating and advancing their work.

Emerging wastewater technologies Novel biological processes, sensing tools, modelling approaches and treatment optimisation strategies.

Digital and data‑driven wastewater management Real‑time monitoring, automation and predictive analytics.

Sustainability and circular economy Resource recovery, energy efficiency and low‑carbon treatment solutions.

Research translation and innovation pathways Moving ideas from laboratory research to operational deployment.