Ulster University’s Belfast campus was the venue for a recent panel discussion event, ‘The E-waste Problem: Conversations Across Academia and Industry’, shedding light on one of the most pressing issues in the area of Sustainability and Electronic waste (e-waste) management.

The event was held in May 2024 and organised by Ulster University’s Dr. Dipali Mathur and Dr. Robert Porter, with the objective of bridging the gap between academia and industry by bringing together experts from academia and industry to share insights, spark conversations, and explore innovative ideas on tackling the issue of e-waste.

Professor Ian Montgomery, Dean of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at Ulster University, delivered the opening address. He highlighted the critical importance of addressing e-waste, emphasising its far-reaching implications on both the environment and public health.

Professor Montgomery’s insightful remarks set the stage for a day of thought-provoking conversations and collaborative problem-solving.

Dr. Dipali Mathur, a Newton International Fellow (2023-2025) at Ulster University, provided an introduction to the event and discussed her ongoing project, ‘Rematerialising the Digital: Governmentality and the Environmental Consequences of Life Online’, which examines the intersection of digital technology and environmental sustainability. Her work aims to explore the governance of digital life and its environmental consequences.

Engaging Panel Discussions:

The event featured two engaging panel discussions, each bringing together a diverse group of experts from academia and industry.

Panel 1:

Moderated by Dr. Robert Porter, the first panel included Dr. Tim Walker (CX, Arc 21), Dr. Patrick Dunlop (Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering, Ulster University) and Mr. Mike Wegwermer (Founder CEO, Circular Data Solutions).

This session delved into the technical and engineering aspects of e-waste management.

Discussions ranged from innovative recycling technologies to the challenges of implementing sustainable practices in the industry.

Panel 2:

The second panel, moderated by Dr. Dipali Mathur, featured Professor Justin Magee (Research Director - Art and Design at Ulster University), Dr. Patrick Brodie (Lecturer/Assistant Professor, School of Information and Communication Studies at University College Dublin), Dr. Regina Frei (Associate Professor of Digital Economy at University of Surrey - joined remotely), and Professor Joan Condell from the Intelligent Systems Research Centre at Ulster University.

This session expanded the conversation to include media, communication, and design perspectives. The panellists discussed how creative industries can contribute to e-waste reduction and the role of communication strategies in raising awareness about e-waste issues.

The event was concluded by Dr. Robert Porter, a cultural, social, and political theorist at Ulster University, who emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex sustainability challenges, such as e-waste.

The Closing Address was given by Professor Sven Schottmann, Associate Dean of Development and Partnerships at Ulster University, who highlighted the event’s success in fostering dialogue across different sectors and encouraged continued collaboration to develop innovative solutions for e-waste management.

The event was not just an academic exercise but a step towards tangible action, by bringing together representatives from Belfast City Council, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), and academics from the prestigious Future Island-Island project, showcasing a strong commitment to tackling e-waste from multiple fronts and the need for collaborative efforts to address it.

Professor Ian Montgomery, Dean of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at Ulster University, comments:

“This ‘The E-waste Problem: Conversations Across Academia and Industry’ event at Ulster University was a resounding success, fostering meaningful dialogue and paving the way for future collaborative efforts to tackle e-waste. As the world grapples with the environmental consequences of digital and increasingly electronic-enabled life, such interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral conversations are crucial in driving sustainable change.”

Dr Dipali Mathur added:

“The event brought together experts from academia and industry in order to discuss an important issue under Sustainability - e-waste and its management, with representation from experts North-South and East-West, academics from the Schools of Engineering, Media and Communication, Art & Design and engaged with student centred projects, representatives from Belfast City Council and DAERA, and academics from the prestigious Future Island-Island project.”

The event was made possible thanks to funding from the University’s Centre for Communication, Media and Cultural Studies and to the British Academy for funding the ‘Rematerialising the Digital: Governmentality and the Environmental Consequences of Life Online’ (2023-2025) project.

This event is an outcome of the research opportunities made possible by the Newton International Fellowship scheme.

Find out more about the the E-waste event

If you have any further queries, contact Dr Dipali Mathur by email to d.mathur@ulster.ac.uk