Keynote Speakers
Professor Nic Lane
University of Cambridge, UK
Professor Nic Lane is Professor of Machine Learning Systems in the Department of Computer Science and Technology at University of Cambridge, where he leads the Machine Learning Systems Lab (MLSys) and researches the architecture and algorithms of scalable, efficient end-to-end ML systems. His work spans multimodal data (speech, vision, location, inertial), distributed and on-device learning, and federated systems, with over 28,000 citations and an international reputation in mobile and embedded AI. Prof Lane has also held key industry and academic roles, and is a fellow of St John’s College, Cambridge. His appointment as a recipient of the Chair in Emerging Technologies award from the Royal Academy of Engineering recognises his leadership in democratic and decentralised AI systems.
Professor Keeley Crockett
Manchester Metropolitan university, UK
Professor Keeley Crockett is a leading academic in the field of Computational Intelligence at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), and Chair of the IEEE Technical Committee SHIELD (Ethical, Legal, Social, Environmental and Human Dimensions of AI/CI). Her research spans ethical AI, fuzzy systems, natural language processing, semantic similarity, psychological profiling, conversational agents, and intelligent tutoring systems. At MMU, she leads the Machine Intelligence and Data & AI Ethics themes within the Centre for Advanced Computational Science, and has secured funding from EPSRC, EU Horizon 2020, and UKRI, among others. She is also a trusted advisor on national and international platforms, contributing to the UKRI AI & Robotics Strategic Advisory Team, Policy Connect inquiries, and global frameworks for ethical AI.
Alongside her research and policy contributions, Professor Crockett has built strong partnerships with industry, government, and community organisations. She has co-led the £6m Greater Manchester AI Foundry, developed AI assessment frameworks for public sector organisations, and collaborated with the Alan Turing Institute, ICO, and SMEs to evaluate transparency and accountability in AI systems. Her leadership roles within IEEE are extensive, including serving on the IEEE CIS ADCOM, editing multiple IEEE journals, and chairing international conferences such as IEEE SSCI and IEEE FUZZ. Widely published with over 130 peer-reviewed papers, three textbooks, and extensive doctoral supervision experience, she is also an active STEM Ambassador and a passionate advocate for public engagement with AI.
Professor Ioan Nistor
University of Ottawa, Canada
Ioan NISTOR is a Professor of Hydraulic and Coastal Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Ottawa, Canada. Dr. Nistor investigates hazards associated with extreme coastal hazards such as tsunamis and hurricanes, coastal structures, impacts of extreme events on coastal communities and infrastructure. Prior to joining the University of Ottawa more than two decades ago, Prof. Nistor spent several years as a senior consulting engineer with AECOM-TECSULT in Montreal, Canada. In recognition of his work in the field of disaster prevention and mitigation, Prof. Nistor was appointed Lead of the Technical Theme on Water Disaster, which is one of the four major themes of the International Association of Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR).
Prof. Nistor elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), Fellow of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) and Fellow of the Engineers Institute of Canada (EIC). He is the only international Voting Member of the ASCE7 Tsunami Committee, a Member of the JSCE Tsunami Committee (Debris Group), as well as member of the Tsunami Working Group of the Federation internationale de beton (FIB).
Professor Anusha Shah
Arcadis, UK
Professor Anusha Shah is a distinguished global leader in climate resilience, water and environmental engineering, with over two decades of experience advancing sustainable development and nature-positive infrastructure across the UK and internationally. As the immediate past President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), she made history as only the third woman and the first person of colour to hold the role in over 205 years. Currently serving as Global Senior Director for Climate, Water & Nature at Arcadis, she leads transformative climate strategies and represents the organisation on the London Climate Ready Partnership and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s 50L Home Initiative.
Professor Shah’s non-executive portfolio includes roles as a Non-Executive Director at the UK Met Office and Trustee at Green Alliance, and she previously chaired the Thames Estuary Partnership Board and ICE's Thomas Telford Limited Board. In academia, she has held visiting professorships at King’s College London and the University of Edinburgh, and lectures widely at institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, Newcastle, and the University of East London. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering by UEL and University of Heriot Watt for her services to climate change. She was also awarded honorary Professorship from University of Wolverhampton and Amity University in India.
A passionate advocate for equity, inclusion, and climate justice, Professor Shah has contributed to numerous national and international publications and reports. Her accolades include being named among the UK’s Top 50 Women Engineers in Sustainability, CECA Inspiring Engineering Award and has been recognised by Climate Reframe as one of the UK’s leading BAME voices on climate change.
Professor Roger Flanagan
University of Reading, UK
Professor Roger Flanagan is a globally renowned leader in construction management and engineering, with an illustrious career spanning more than four decades. He is Professor of Construction Management at the University of Reading, UK, where he has also served as Dean of Faculty and Head of School. Widely recognised for shaping the discipline internationally, his research and teaching have influenced construction practices, policies, and education across the world.
Professor Roger Flanagan has held visiting and honorary professorships at leading universities across Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, and North America, including Tsinghua University (China), University of Hong Kong, University of Cape Town (South Africa), Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden), and the University of New South Wales (Australia). His global academic footprint underscores his reputation as one of the foremost international voices in construction management and engineering.
He has supervised and examined doctoral research across the globe, shaping generations of scholars and professionals. Professor Flanagan is the author and co-author of over 180 technical papers and 10 books, including the widely referenced New Code of Estimating Practice (2016), and has led major international research projects on risk management, competitiveness, innovation, and future trends in the construction sector.
In addition to his academic achievements, Professor Roger Flanagan has made a profound impact on professional practice. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and a Past President of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). He has served on boards of major international construction and engineering firms, including Skanska AB (one of the largest construction groups in the world) and Halcrow Group. His advisory work has guided governments, professional bodies, and leading contractors globally.
Professor Roger Flanagan’s career reflects his dedication to bridging academia, industry, and policy. His keynote will draw on his vast international experience, offering invaluable insights into the future of global construction management and the role of innovation in shaping the built environment.
Dr Lisa Cameron
Former Member of Parliament, UK
Dr Lisa Cameron is a former Member of Parliament. She has dedicated her career to amplifying underrepresented voices, advancing mental health, and championing disability inclusion while shaping the UK’s approach to emerging digital technologies. As founder and chair of Parliament’s first All Party Group on Digital Assets and Cryptocurrency, she guided national debate from its infancy to over 250 parliamentary contributions by 2024.
Since leaving parliament in 2024, Dr Cameron has founded the UK-US Crypto Alliance and led the Digital Legislators Forum, providing strategic advice across the digital asset sector. Her leadership on digital skills, future jobs, and cryptocurrency reflects a rare blend of empathy and vision, an inspiring example of compassionate, forward-thinking policymaking for our leaders.
Dr Komali Kantamaneni
University of Lancashire, UK
Dr Komali Kantamaneni is an internationally recognised expert in climate change, coastal vulnerability, disaster risk reduction, and environmental sustainability. She is a Senior Coastal Scientist in the School of Engineering and Computing at the University of Lancashire and Co-Director of the United Nations SPIDER–UK Regional Support Office, working with UN agencies, governments, and partners to strengthen disaster risk management using space-based and geospatial technologies.
Her work spans coastal science and engineering, climate hazard modelling, AI-enabled environmental pollution analysis, socio-ecological vulnerability assessment, GIS-based risk mapping, and nature-based solutions. She advised the United Nations Philippines Technical Advisory Mission (2022) on ecosystem-based DRR, climate adaptation, and geospatial intelligence, advancing SDGs 13, 11, and 14. She has led interdisciplinary teams and produced high-impact publications, including large-scale UK coastal vulnerability studies with international recognition.
Dr Kantamaneni contributes to science-policy integration, including the UK Parliament Post-Horizon Scan 2024 on environment, climate, energy, food systems, and rural affairs. Her research is cited by the World Bank and UN-Habitat. She has secured over £700,000 in grants, leads two REF 2029 impact case studies on climate and disaster resilience, and holds visiting and advisory roles at Vellore Institute of Technology and Anant National University. A frequent keynote speaker, she presents globally on climate adaptation, coastal resilience, geospatial and AI approaches to DRR, environmental pollution, and science-to-policy translation.
