Professor Michele Barbour, University of Bristol, joins our 'Innovation Cities 2025' discussion forum in the southwest
- Heather Fearfield
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Future Cities Forum is delighted that Professor Michele Barbour will be contributing to our 'Innovation Cities 2025' discussion event hosted by Deloitte at their southwest headquarters in the Halo building.
Professor Barbour is Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor Enterprise & Innovation within the UoB senior team, and also Professor of Biomaterials, leading a research group and overseeing biomaterials education at Bristol Dental School. Her research group has interests in the development, characterisation and application of multifunctional clinical nanomaterials. Of particular interest are antimicrobial and antifungal technologies.
In the course of the research the team developed and characterised a novel antimicrobial technology based on chlorhexidine, which can be used in a wide range of dental and medical materials and devices. This patented technology and the associated Intellectual Property is now owned and marketed by Professor Barbour's spin-out company, Pertinax Pharma Ltd.
The event will debate the growing economy of the Bristol city region, the Local Plan and how science and innovation is playing an important role. Buro Happold who will also be at the discussion event has been involved with the masterplan and regeneration of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus since 2016.
Due to open in September 2026 and representing an investment of around £500 million, the flagship TQEC development will also provide dedicated space for around 300 enterprise partners, as well as opening its doors to shared spaces for the wider community.
In further news, the University of Bristol has been granted approval by the Indian government to create a campus in Mumbai. Due to open in summer 2026, the Mumbai Enterprise Campus will be the University’s first international campus.
The University reports:
'It's a historic moment and a first in transnational education for the University, which next year celebrates its 150th anniversary. The University worked closely with partners and the Indian government to identify Mumbai as an optimal location due to the city's strong reputation for technology, innovation and the arts – areas which align closely with Bristol's own strengths.
'Approval was officially granted in New Delhi at an event celebrating the fifth anniversary of India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 - a transformative framework aimed at modernising India’s education system.
'Mirroring the University’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, the Mumbai Enterprise Campus will bring together industry, academics, students and local community partners within a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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Initial subjects taught at undergraduate and postgraduate level will focus on areas of global distinction for Bristol such as data science, economics, finance and investment, immersive arts and financial technology, expanding to computer science and AI, business and management.
'The University is also planning to offer scholarships as part of its award-winning Think Big programme.
'Graduates from the Mumbai campus will benefit from global-standard curricula and strong industry linkages, creating seamless pathways to international careers while strengthening India’s skilled workforce.
'Through this development, the University of Bristol - last month named the 51st best university in the QS World University Rankings 2026 - will seek to blend transnational education with its innovative research and global civic engagement. It will grow the University's global reach while contributing tangibly to its long-term sustainability and resilience.'