AWRC hosts inaugural UK mayoral innovation exchange

Health Innovation

The UK’s first Mayoral Innovation Exchange was held at at the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) today. Organised by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and PricewaterhouseCooper, the event convened the UK’s elected metro mayors to foster collaboration, enable innovation, and share best practice between mayoral combined authorities.

The event was opened by Sheffield Hallam University Vice Chancellor Prof. Liz Mossop and South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, who introduced the day’s agenda, focused on priority areas of skills, health and transport.

Over lunch, guests had the opportunity to engage with demonstrations from AWRC researchers, colleagues from the Advanced Food Innovation Centre, Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and the National Centre for Child Health Technology which is due to be built on the park in 2025.

AWRC demonstrations included:
– Advancements in robotics designed to enhance human wellbeing
– An exoskeleton designed to aid walking for people affected by neurological conditions
– Machine learning techniques designed to measure Olympic athletes and now being used to improve population health.

It was the first time the UK’s Mayors have come together since the Government published its English Devolution White Paper in December 2024.

Findings from the day will influence the work of combined authorities across priority areas and help to shape how Mayors collectively influence the Government around the devolution agenda.