HUCBMS Annual Conference 2026
This one and a half day conference is a flagship national event that brings together leaders from universities, industry, NHS laboratories, professional bodies, and policy organisations involved in biomedical science education, research, and innovation.
Type of event: Conferences
From: Wednesday 2 September 2026, 12.30 pm
To: Thursday 3 September 2026, 5 pm
Location: Nottingham Trent University, Teaching & Learning Building, Clifton Campus, Nottingham, NG11 8NS
Booking deadline: Wednesday 19 August 2026, 12.00 pm
Event details
This event is hosted jointly by Heads of University Centres of Biomedical Sciences (HUCBMS) and Nottingham Trent University (School of Science and Technology).
The 2026 conference will take place at Nottingham Trent University on 2nd-3rd September 2026, and we anticipate delegates from across the UK, Ireland and internationally. The programme will feature keynote speakers, research showcases, strategic discussions on biomedical science education, and opportunities to strengthen partnerships between academia and industry.
Overview
The HUCBMS Conference is an annual event bringing together leaders, educators, researchers and practitioners in biomedical sciences from universities across the UK and Ireland. The 2026 meeting, hosted at Nottingham Trent University, will offer a dynamic programme of policy discussions, teaching and learning innovation, research presentations, networking, and national sector updates.
HUCBMS promotes excellence and quality standards in biomedical sciences education and research, acting as a sector voice for departments and schools nationally and internationally.
Programme
Content will build on the format established at HUCBMS 2025, which featured high‑profile keynote speakers, teaching and learning innovation sessions, research presentations, and national policy updates.
Day 1 - 2 September 2026
| 12:00 - 14:00 | Registration | |
| 14:00 | Welcome | President of HUCBMS and NTU Senior Representative |
| 14:15 | Mergers, Acquisitions and other Responses to Current and Future University Challenges: Is it time to think outside the box? | Professor Diana Beech, Director of Finsbury Institute, Professor & Assistant Vice-President of Policy & Government Affairs, City & St George’s University |
| 14:55 | Making Metrics Matter: A more ambitious approach to tackling racial inequity in higher education | Dr Katharine Hubbard, Director of Learning Enhancement and Academic Practice, Buckinghamshire New University |
| 15:35 | Tea / Coffee Break | |
| 16:05 | What if, in trying to ‘fix’ universities, we are quietly unmaking them? | Dr Monica Franco-Santos, Reader in Organisational Governance and Performance, Cranfield University |
| 16:45 | Outbreak pathogen vaccine development before and after the pandemic Presentation of HUCBMS President’s Award | Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, Saïd Professor of Vaccinology, Jenner Institute, Oxford |
| 17:45 | AGM | |
| 19:30 | Social event | |
Day 2 - 3 September 2026
| 9:30 | The Nottingham Trent Biomedical Sciences Journey | Sheri Scott, Principal Lecturer and Beverley Peel, Head of Department of HE, School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University. |
| 10:10 | Health Science professions – Opportunities and challenges in cooperation and collaboration in programme delivery and research | Professor Catherine Ross, Chief Scientific Officer for Scotland and President of the Science Council |
| 10:50 | Tea / Coffee Break | |
| 11:20 | Strengthening Advanced Practice for Biomedical Scientists through a Community of Practice: The CAPCOP Model | Dr Victoria Bradley, Reader in Biomedical Science Clinical Practice Education, Cardiff Metropolitan University |
| 12:00 | The Karateka vs the Sumo Wrestler: what REF 2029 means for research leadership in UK universities | Dr Antonios Kelarakis, Reader in Polymers and Nanomaterials, University of Lancashire |
| 12:40 | Lunch break | |
| 13:45 | Practitioner to Lecturer - 50 years of Biomedical Science Education and Training | Colin Mudd, Senior Lecturer, school of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University |
| 14:15 | Supporting Student Success in Biomedical Sciences through Science Trove | Nicola Hartley, Higher Education Partnership Consultant, Oxford University Press. |
| 14:45 - 15:30 | Presentations from HUCBMS Members | |
| 15:30 | Tea / Coffee Break | |
| 16:00 - 17:30 | Presentations from HUCBMS Members | |
| 19:00 | Conference dinner | |
Who should attend?
- Heads of Biomedical Science Departments
- Course leaders and teaching teams
- Researchers and doctoral programme leads
- Lab leaders and trainers
- Educational developers and policy specialists
- Biomedical Science industry partners
Conference costs
- Package A - £195 - Conference + Day 2 dinner
- Package B - £355 - Conference + Day 2 dinner + 2 nights' IBIS accommodation
- Package C - £240 - Conference +Day 2 dinner + Days 1 social
- Package D - £395 - Conference + Day 2 dinner + Day 1 social + 2 nights' IBIS accommodation
Contact details
For queries relating to registration, programme content, sponsorship or accessibility arrangements, please email: Sheri Scott
Location details
Address:
Teaching & Learning Building
Clifton Campus
Nottingham
NG11 8NS
Travel Info:
Travel and Accommodation
Delegates can benefit from special conference rates at the Ibis Nottingham Centre, located near Nottingham Station and main tram routes. Please choose the registration package with accommodation to secure these rates.
Regular bus services and taxis connect Nottingham city centre with NTU Clifton Campus (15–20 minutes). We will also be providing chartered coach high to and from the venue.