9th July 2026
The Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) – established to back high-risk, high-reward science – visited the North East on Thursday 2 July for a regional engagement event hosted by Northumbria University on behalf of Universities for North East England (UNEE).
Led by ARIA’s CEO, Kathleen Fisher, the event brought together researchers, innovators, and science and technology leaders from across the region’s five universities – Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland, and Teesside – alongside partners from the wider North East innovation ecosystem, including the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, Northern Accelerator, and Dynamo North East.
The visit included an open forum in which Kathleen Fisher introduced ARIA’s mission and approach, followed by a presentation from Professor Jenny Read, ARIA Programme Director for Robot Dexterity, and a wide-ranging question and answer session. Afternoon breakout groups gave attendees the chance to explore ARIA’s current research programmes and opportunity spaces, understand the ARIA Programme Director pathway ahead of Cohort 3 recruitment opening in August, and hear practical guidance on working with ARIA operationally.
The day’s activity extended beyond the university community: ARIA also hosted a separate evening event at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art on the Gateshead Quayside, bringing together entrepreneurs, deep tech founders, and innovation leaders from across the region for a more informal gathering aimed at the wider science and technology ecosystem.
ARIA exists to back exceptional people with the autonomy and resources to pursue ambitious, long-horizon ideas. Its Programme Directors are scientists and technologists given significant freedom to design and lead research programmes to transformative new capabilities for the UK and the world.
The visit comes at a pivotal moment for the North East. The recent launch of the Inspire Fund – a £22.5m joint initiative between the five UNEE universities and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness – signals a region serious about turning frontier research into new businesses and deep tech ventures. The North East’s growing commercialisation infrastructure, including Northern Accelerator, alongside the devolution settlement and major investment at Blyth, positions the region as an increasingly compelling partner for agencies like ARIA.
Professor Louise Bracken, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at Northumbria University said: “Events like this matter because they translate national funding opportunities into practical routes for our researchers to pursue bold ideas. We were pleased to host ARIA on behalf of UNEE and to give colleagues from across the region direct access to those involved in some of the most ambitious science funding in the country.”
The event was timed to coincide with ARIA’s upcoming Cohort 3 Programme Director recruitment, with the search window opening in August 2026. Ambitious researchers and entrepreneurs from across the region interested in the Programme Director role are encouraged to visit aria.org.uk for further information.
