The recent SWAN Showcase hosted at the University of Bristol on the 19th February was a great success, drawing a large and diverse audience from relevant government departments, industry representatives and members from EPSRC. The event featured captivating presentations from Mark Beach (SWAN PI) and Magnus Sandell (Lead Industry Partner) taking us through SWAN’s research journey and highlighting the mutual benefits of academic and industry collaboration.
Attendees also had the opportunity to explore cutting edge research through an engaging lab tour, offering a first-hand look into innovative developments our researchers are working on within SWAN. Additionally, poster presentations provided a valuable platform for researchers to showcase their findings and engage in meaningful discussions with industry and government representatives.
During the day attendees also had the opportunity to engage with two panel discussions.
Panel 1, The Impact of SWAN’s Research
Panel members and attendees explored the challenges of transitioning groundbreaking technology from theory to real-world application. As an experimentally driven group, SWAN is fortunate to work hands-on with emerging technologies, but investment remains a critical factor in driving innovation forward. A key topic of discussion was the evolving landscape of security regulations, which are particularly relevant to the industries SWAN collaborates with. Panelists emphasized the need to proactively consider the forces shaping industry standards, including public harm—an issue that is not always immediately apparent. Additionally, the rapid expansion of new technologies often outpaces regulatory frameworks, creating a gap that governments and industry leaders must address.
Another significant challenge raised was how to amplify SWAN’s voice amid competing priorities in government and industry, particularly when engaging with stakeholders from non-RF technology backgrounds. While SWAN’s research is being heard, it must compete with other, often louder, technological and policy discussions. The panel also examined the pressing issue of RF skills demographics. As fields like quantum computing, AI, and RF technology increasingly merge, the demand for a highly skilled workforce is growing. However, the current education system is not adequately preparing the next generation to meet these future needs, posing a long-term challenge for innovation and industry growth.
Panel 2, Need for Future Radio Resilience
Discussions focused on how wireless communication is now deeply integrated into every aspect of our lives, making resilience in radio technology more critical than ever. This need has been starkly highlighted by real-world events, such as the war in Ukraine, where signal jamming—and countermeasures against jamming—have played a significant role. Rather than focusing solely on defensive techniques, the discussion emphasized the importance of developing a resilient spectrum and robust waveforms to ensure reliable communications in contested environments. The conversation then shifted to the challenge of keeping pace with technological advancements and the potential role of machine learning in enhancing radio system resilience. While machine learning offers valuable design and optimization capabilities, panelists agreed that it still requires human oversight and cannot yet be relied upon entirely. A key takeaway was the urgent need to bridge the gap between RF expertise and AI knowledge, ensuring that future engineers possess both skill sets to drive innovation in this field.
We were grateful to our panel members and panel chairs for providing thought-provoking insights into SWAN’s impact on industry and emphasized the importance of continuing the vital work we do. Each panel fostered dynamic audience engagement, covering a broad range of topics making the event a truly inspiring and impactful experience for all.
We would like to thank our attendees for their participation in the Showcase and to our industry partners Roke Manor, Toshiba and GCHQ for their contributions making the day a great success.
If you would like to view the SWAN posters displayed at the showcase, please see here SWAN Showcase Combined Posters
