Up-Skill Final Conference: Industrial Policy 5.0

In this conference we explore the mechanisms by which Industry 5.0 might move more rapidly from a policy brief to everyday practice in European manufacturing firms.

We draw on experiences from our own technology interventions and detailed ethnographic work conducted within the Horizon-funded Up-Skill project, and we also draw directly on insights from firms themselves, related projects, policymakers, academic experts, and union representatives in order to identify the drivers of, and barriers to, positive change.

While uptake of Industry 5.0 principles is slowly beginning to occur, it is still far from constituting a transformation or paradigm shift. Focusing on human-centricity, we explore how the process of change might be accelerated, and what we might learn from both social theory and practical experience to support this transition.

Date:

February 11th, 2026

Format:

Hybrid – in‑person and online

Location

NH Collection Brussels Centre, Boulevard Adolphe Max 7, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

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Register for in-person and online attendance via the link below.

Registration Form

Up-Skill Final Conference
Detailed Agendas

Date	Description
09:30–09:35	Welcome and Opening Remarks
09:35–10:35	Session 1: Impact, Skills & Innovation Moderator – Alison Hirst, Anglia Ruskin University & Up-Skill Up-Skill Project Overview – Chris Ivory, Mälardalen University & Up-Skill (20 min talk + 10 min Q&A) Technology Transfer & Innovation Support – Steven Baines, TWI & Up-Skill (20 min talk + 10 min Q&A)
10:35–10:50	Morning Coffee Break
10:50–12:10	Session 2: Skills & Industry Perspectives Moderator – Chris Land, Anglia Ruskin University & Up-Skill Industry Perspectives on the Up-Skill Project and Industry 5.0 – Sarah Alweissi & Jonas Törnlind, Alfa Laval & Up-Skill (20 min talk + 10 min Q&A) Emergent Skills & Responsible Management – Banu Saatci, Università Degli Studi di Milano & Up-Skill (20 min talk + 10 min Q&A)
12:10–13:10	Lunch Break
13:10–14:40	Session 3: Transitions Moderator – Jana Stefan, Anglia Ruskin University & Up-Skill Bridges 5.0 – Steven Dhondt, TNO (10 min talk + 5 min Q&A) Seismec – Jason Pridmore, Erasmus University Rotterdam (10 min talk + 5 min Q&A) Prospects 5.0 – Ziga Valic, Flanders Make (10 min talk + 5 min Q&A) The Prospects for an Industry 5.0 Transformation - Chris Land, Anglia Ruskin University & Up-Skill (20 min talk) & Chris Ivory, Mälardalen University & Up-Skill (15 min talk + 10 min Q&A)
14:40–14:55	Afternoon Coffee Break
14:55–15:55	Final Session: Is the Future of European Manufacturing 5.0 – or Something Else? Moderator – Chris Ivory, Mälardalen University & Up-Skilll Panel Debate: Moderated discussion on future directions, funding, and policy alignment.