Panel: System drivers & strategic direction - Transformation Pathways July 2026
As part of the DICE N+ Transformation Pathways event held at the Science Museum, London on 1 July 2026, a panel of experts from academia, government and the research funding community explored the system-level drivers shaping the transition to a circular digital economy.
Chaired by David Greenfield, CEO of the Circular Economy Institute, the session brought together Professor Frances Wall (Critical Mierals Challenge Centre), Lydia Tabbron (Defra and the Government Digital Sustainability Alliance), and Laura McDonnell (EPSRC) to examine the strategic, policy and innovation challenges influencing circularity across digital technologies and infrastructure.
The discussion explored the growing importance of critical minerals and responsible resource management, the role of government procurement and policy in driving sustainable technology practices, and the opportunities for research and innovation to support systemic change. Panellists highlighted the need for stronger collaboration across sectors, improved approaches to reuse and recycling, investment in new technologies, and a deeper understanding of the material foundations underpinning the digital economy.
Providing a thought-provoking overview of the wider landscape, this session offers valuable insights into the strategic actions, partnerships and policy interventions needed to accelerate circularity and sustainability across the UK’s digital future.