LUDeC Showcase: Collaborative Research in the Liveable City
The Leverhulme Unit for the Design of Cities of the Future (LUDeC) encompasses 15 researchers working to transform the way we think about cities.
This two-day conference showcases some of their innovative research traversing disciplinary boundaries to creatively envisage new ways of living and working.
đź“… Wednesday, September 10 · 9am – 5pm , Reception 5-7pm
đź“… Thursday, September 11 · 9am – 4pm
The Leverhulme Unit for the Design of Cities of the Future (LUDeC) encompasses 15 interdisciplinary researchers working to transform the way we think about cities.
This two-day conference showcases some of their innovative research traversing disciplinary boundaries to creatively envisage new ways of living and working.
Panels Include:
• Playful Cities and Urban Improvisation
• Replaying the city: interactive soundscapes
• Transdisciplinary and Creative Urban Methods
• Creative Workshop Hotline
• Community Co-Creation, Difference and the Politics of Change Co-producing urban futures through community participation, long-term thinking, and socially embedded design.
• Wander, Wonder, Workshop
• Reimagining the traditional PhD, implications of interdisciplinary research for supervision teams
đź“Ť SODA (School of Digital Arts) 14 Higher Chatham Street Manchester M15 6ED
Image Credit: Erika Conchis
DAY 1: Wednesday 10th September  2025
| time | panel / activity |
| 09.00 | Arrival, networking coffee |
| 09.30 | Welcome & introduction |
| 09.45 – 11.00 | Playful Cities and Urban Improvisation Reimagining the city through creativity, play, and improvisation to resist homogenisation and encourage spontaneity. Chair: Suzie Cloves Panel participants: Katie Chatburn, Anita Slater, Domenic Suntrapak, Niamh Cusack |
| 11.00 | Break |
| 11.30 – 12.30 | Replaying the city: interactive soundscapes A talk and installation from Katie Chatburn and Suzie Cloves featuring sounds combining their work with LUDeC researchers Joe Shute and Charlie White |
| 12.30 –14.00 | Lunch |
| 14.00 –15.15 | Transdisciplinary and Creative Urban Methods Pushing the boundaries of disciplinary knowledge and embracing creative methods in collaborative urban research. Chair: Domenic Suntrapak Panel participants: Charlie White, Suzie Cloves, Erika Conchis, Polina Chizhova Wrig |
| 15.15 | Break |
| 15.45 – 17.00 | Creative Workshop Hotline Polina Chizhova Wright and Erika Conchis Location: Room 1.07/main conference space |
| 17.00 | Reflection |
| 17.25 – 19.00 | Drinks Reception |
DAY 2: Thursday 11th September  2025
| time | panel / activity |
| 09.00 | Arrival, networking coffee |
| 09.30 | Welcome & introduction |
| 09.45 – 11.00 | Community Co-Creation, Difference and the Politics of Change Co-producing urban futures through community participation, long-term thinking, and socially embedded design. Chair: Erika Conchis Panel participants: Katie Chatburn, Suzie Cloves, Joe Shute, Emma Jackson, Domenic Suntrapak |
| 11.00 | Break |
| 11.30 – 12.30 | Wander, Wonder, Workshop  A creative writing workshop led by Anita Slater, Joe Shute and Domenic Suntrapak Location: All Saints Square |
| 12.30 –14.00 | Lunch |
| 14.00 –15.00 | Reimagining the traditional PhD, implications of interdisciplinary research for supervision teams Chair: Anita Slater Panel participants: David Cooper, Susan O’Shea, James Cheng, Ben Bowman |
| 15.00 – 15.30 | Closing comments |
