2017 S-Lab Awards and Conference-More Science from less Resource

The 2017 S-Lab Awards has 26 shortlisted science buildings and 20 laboratory initiatives and products, from 11 countries in 5 continents. Most of the entries will feature at the ‘Science, Innovation and Translation’ Conference in York on May 9-10 2017. Highlights of both include:

Best practice life science translational research facilities from Australia, Canada, the UK and USA, including the Francis Crick Institute.

Conference sessions on laboratory benchmarking, including a study of 121 research labs at Harvard, MIT and other Boston institutions.

A unique opportunity to compare and contrast new neuroscience facilities, with sessions on shortlisted entries from the Allen Institute in Seattle, the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre and the University of British Columbia’s Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.

Comparing and contrasting different strategies for sustainable science, including the BREEAM and LEED certification that is the current norm for many shortlisted applications being challenged by net zero-carbon strategies (as with the University of Nottingham’s GlaxoSmithKline Carbon-Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry) or ultra-low-energy Passivhaus certification (as with the University of Leicester’s Centre for Medicine).

The development of internet-based solutions to lab design, management and operation.

Innovative approaches to isolation and ventilation that allow great reductions in cost without compromising health and safety.

The shortlist and the Conference Exhibition, also showcase many new products and services.

S-Lab Director Peter James believes that “The 2017 Conference and Awards show that laboratory design, management and operation are changing in response to new knowledge and technologies, competitive, financial and other pressures and user expectations. The result is better research and teaching, more cost-effective operation – which can create more resource for actual science - and reduced environmental impact.” S-Lab is a unique not-for-profit initiative that supports improvement in laboratory design, management and operation by through guidance, knowledge exchange and networks.

For more information on the Awards and Conference see www.effectivelab.org.uk or contact S-Lab Director Peter James via s-lab@istonline.org,uk / 07533 891639.