UWTSD and RSA announce Innovation Lecture Series
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) and the Royal Society of Arts, which promotes arts, manufactures, and commerce through innovation and social change, are proud to announce the launch of a new Innovation Lecture Series for the 2025–2026 academic year.
This quarterly series will bring together thought leaders, academics, and industry experts to explore the role of innovation across diverse sectors, with all events taking place at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea and live-streamed for wider audiences.
It was initiated and developed by Alan Mumby, Lecturer at the University’s Wales Institute of Science and Art (WISA). His vision and commitment to showcasing innovation across sectors have been central to bringing this series to life and establishing the collaboration between UWTSD and the RSA.
The series will focus on the following themes:
- Autumn 2025: Innovation in Health and Welfare
- Winter 2026: Innovation in Technology and Science
- Spring 2026: Innovation in the Manufacturing Sector
- Summer 2026: Innovation in the Creative Industries
First Lecture:
Innovation in Health and Welfare
The inaugural event will take place on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, from 6pm to 8pm.
Keynote speakers :
Dr Rhys Thomas, CEO of Virtual Ward Technologies, innovator, clinician, and national leader in medical technology and digital health.
Professor Gareth Davies, Dean of UWTSD’s Institute of Management and Health, specialising in health leadership and innovation.
Attendance is free but spaces are limited. To secure a place, participants are encouraged to pre-book via eventbrite
Professor Gareth Davies said: “Innovation is at the heart of progress, not just in technology but in how we care for people, communities, and the planet. This lecture series provides a unique opportunity to bring together ideas, expertise, and creativity across disciplines, and I am delighted that UWTSD and the RSA are working in partnership to make this possible.”
About the RSA
Founded in 1754, the RSA has a long history of promoting innovation across arts, manufactures, and commerce. Today, the RSA continues to inspire and support initiatives that foster a resilient, rebalanced, and regenerative future for people, places, and the planet.
Speaker Spotlight: Dr Rhys Thomas
Dr Rhys Thomas MBBS MD FRCA Dip IMC RC’Ed is a distinguished clinician, innovator, and entrepreneur whose career spans frontline military service, emergency medical innovation, and digital health leadership. Highlights include:
- Military & Clinical Service: Former Army officer with 13 operational tours, Trauma Anaesthesia Fellowship at Baltimore Shock Trauma Centre, and author of key UK trauma resuscitation strategies.
- National Service Creation: Co-founder of the Welsh Air Ambulance Service and National Director of Emergency Medical & Retrieval Services.
- Innovation & Invention: Creator of the CTEX CPAP device during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Corsi-Rosenthal-Thomas (CRT) HEPA filter for classroom air safety.
- Entrepreneurship: Founder and CEO of Virtual Ward Technology Ltd, pioneers of data-orchestrated care and leaders in digital health innovation.
- Recognition: Fellow of UWTSD (2022), Professor of Practice (2023), and recipient of the NHS Wales Innovation Technology Award (2024) and UK Advancing Health Care Award (2025).
Dr Thomas continues to lead advancements in digital health and social care, while also contributing to NHS innovation trials and academic research
Professor Gareth Davies
Dean of Management and Health at University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Gareth is a member of the University’s Senior Leadership Team and Senate. He is responsible for education, research, and engagement across south Wales campuses and with international partners across a range of disciplines.
He obtained his Chair for work relating to Innovation Management and Strategy. This involved working extensively with firms from startups to multinationals in sectors ranging from construction to creative industries. Over the past twenty years he has consulted for and undertaken research with public and private sectors, in the UK and internationally, notably in the UAE, China and South Korea. He has developed and accredited programmes for Welsh and UK Government including recent accreditation of the UK Government Cabinet Office Innovation Management training.
In terms of research interests, he is published on business case development, technology transfer and economic development, and has led capital and revenue initiatives for research and innovation. Recently this has included programmes for leadership development in Health & Social Care which are being expanded internationally. Other practitioner activity has included work for development of business cases for City Deal, Levelling Up and other programmes.
Further Information
Rebecca Davies
Executive Press and Media Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467071