The XVI Triple Helix Conference brought together leading voices from academia, government, and industry to explore the theme "The Triple Helix and Beyond — A New Era." Keynote and panel sessions addressed innovation ecosystems, economic progress, and sustainability through the lens of university–industry–government collaboration.

The full speaker list and programme details were available via the conference platform during the event.

The Triple Helix model fundamentally reimagines how societies address complex challenges by fostering dynamic interactions among academia, government, and industry. Rather than operating in isolated silos, these three spheres converge to create innovation ecosystems where knowledge flows freely and new solutions emerge. This conference explored how this collaborative framework must evolve to tackle the huge societal, environmental, and political challenges of our time. The gathering in Manchester brought together leading thinkers to examine how universities can move beyond traditional roles, how policy can enable rather than constrain innovation, and how businesses can participate as genuine partners in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future for all.

Central to the discussions was the evolving role of cities as enabling spaces for triple helix interactions. Urban centres provide the physical and institutional infrastructure where academia, government, and business can intersect most productively. Conference sessions examined how city-regions can deliberately design environments that encourage cross-sector collaboration, from innovation districts to shared research facilities. The Manchester setting was particularly apt, given the city's own history of industrial transformation and its contemporary efforts to build a knowledge-based economy. Participants shared effective practices from diverse global regions, highlighting both common challenges and locally adapted solutions that advance the frontiers of knowledge collaboration.

The conference placed strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion as essential ingredients for effective triple helix partnerships. Recognising that innovation ecosystems thrive when they draw upon a wide range of perspectives, sessions addressed how to positively promote participation across gender, career stage, and disciplinary boundaries. Early career researchers received particular attention through dedicated awards and presentation opportunities designed to nurture the next generation of triple helix scholars. Panel discussions explored how inclusive practices strengthen the quality of collaboration between sectors, ensuring that the benefits of innovation are broadly shared rather than concentrated among established actors. These conversations underscored that genuine progress requires intentional effort to broaden who participates and whose voices are heard.