What is innovation? Everybody talks about the need to innovate, but who is really doing it?

We’ve gathered together a panel of true innovators from different sectors. Our awesome speakers will share some of the ways that they are innovating in their work places. From small but effective innovations in day-to-day workplace practices to utilising the most cutting-edge and new technology to implement major change.

Come along with your ideas, comments, questions and join the debate.

Our brilliant panel

Aine McGuire, Head of Business Development @ Sensible Code

Michael Shorter, Senior Creative Technologist @ Uniform

Jason Taylor, General Manager @ Innovation Service, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

Danielle Haugedal-Wilson, Head of Business Architecture and Analysis @ Co-Op Digital

Chaired by Jo Morfee, Director @ Liverpool Girl Geeks

Is this for me?

This is an event for women and men who are interested in technology, science, maths, arts and creativity.

If you want to find out more about the tech industry and how you can have a career in it, this event is for you.

If you are a designer, developer, marketeer, project manager, technician, scientist, games designer or fashionista - this event is for you.

Meet your peers and role models, and join us to support our mission of achieving gender diversity in the sector.

More about our panel

Aine McGuire is a co-founder of the Liverpool technology start-up The Sensible Code Company; it uses artificial intelligence and human intelligence to automate intractable operational processes that rely on data. Late 90’s she set up Pygmalion the first Microsoft Certified Technical Centre in the UK. Aine was Chairman of the European Movement in London from 2005 - 2009 and on the UK executive board for Cooperation Ireland (2007 – 2010), a charity that works to further the peace process across the island of Ireland. Aine has a BBS from TCD, Dublin.

Michael (Mike) Shorter has over 8 years experience as a Product Designer, University lecturer and researcher. He is at home playing with new digital technologies and has in-depth knowledge of design methods, idea generation, workshop facilitation, prototyping techniques, sensors, paper circuitry and internet connected objects. Mike has worked with partners such as NASA, Penguin Random House and Mozilla and co-founded the design publication Fieldguide in 2012. He regularly publishes journal articles, conference papers and book sections and presents his work worldwide: from London Design Festival to Unbox Festival in India. Mike graduated from the University of Dundee in 2007 with a first class degree in Product Design and is currently completing a PhD in prototyping for emergent technologies.

Jason Taylor is General Manager for the award-winning Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Innovation Service. His role is to manage the development of next generation health products and services with partners including clinicians, companies, universities, patients and their families.

Danielle Haugedal-Wilson leads the Business Architecture & Analysis function for Co-op Digital, at the Co-op based in Manchester. Danielle joined the Co-op in 2001 and has worked in technology during most of her time there, primarily on the business and technical architecture of Co-op Membership scheme and other customer facing digital initiatives. Danielle is also the chapter lead for Ladies of Code in Manchester an international community of women developers. She is a champion of diversity and of ensuring girls and young women are able to choose a career in technology - Leading the Co-op sponsorship of initiatives such as the Liverpool Geek Girl academy is one example of this.