The Ecobite Summit isn't just another event; it’s a melting pot of innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
Among the standout attractions are the academics attending—visionary thought leaders whose work bridges research and real-world impact. Let’s take a closer look at some of the esteemed scholars you can meet and learn from at this year’s summit.
1. Dr. Melissa Antoniou-Kourounioti
Title: Network & Partnerships Manager – UK Food Safety Research Network
Dr Melissa Antoniou-Kourounioti is the Network & Partnerships Manager for the Food Safety Research Network, hosted at the Quadram Institute. Her role is to support the network’s success by attracting new members, facilitating fruitful communication between members, and enabling impactful collaborations in the field of food safety.
Interested in:
- Connecting with academics to help answer research questions
- Fund collaborative projects to improve food safety
- Fund flexible talent mobility awards to support research-industry interactions and secondments
2. Dr. Tomas Harrington
Title: Associate Professor in Digitalisation and Operations Management
Prior to joining UEA in August 2017, Tomas spent eight years at the University of Cambridge, Institute for Manufacturing and seven years in industry in senior engineering and project management roles.
His research focuses on industrial systems transformation and supply chain design, enabled by the adoption of advanced manufacturing and digital technologies, in process industries such as Pharma and Food. In terms of practice outputs, based on his research, he has delivered consultancy projects with SMEs.
Interested in discussing:
- Student projects
- Research collaborations
- Consultancy projects
3. Dr. Adrian Benfell
Title: Associate Professor in Digital Business
Adrian works at the UEA and specialises in digital business. His expertise relates to leveraging digital technologies to enhance business functions, models and processes. Adrian has worked in various UK and European universities and focuses upon digital skills, including business analytics, software development, CRM/ERP systems, service platforms, e-commerce and databases.
Adrian's scholarly and research activity relates to the digital transformation of businesses, drawing upon semiotics, sociology, business analytics and modern software development. In terms of engaging with businesses, Adrian has been involved in consultancy, training and knowledge transfer partnerships, bridging the gap between theory and real-world application.
Interested in discussing:
- CRM/ERP consultancy support
- Software app selection
- Business analytics
- Student placements
- Organisation sponsored projects for students
Why Meet These Academics?
Engaging in one-on-one discussions is a unique opportunity to:
- Gain insights from cutting-edge research
- Build connections for future collaborations
- Find inspiration for actionable steps in your own journey
These academics are not just sharing their findings—they’re actively working with policymakers, entrepreneurs, and communities to implement solutions that can transform your businesses.
Tips for Engaging at the Summit
- Prepare questions: Tailor inquiries specific to their expertise.
- Attend networking sessions: These are perfect for informal conversations.
- Follow up: Most academics are open to continuing the dialogue post-event.
The Ecobite Summit is your chance to interact with brilliant minds. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and contribute to the ecological revolution.
