Blood Cancer UK Early Career Development Conference
Join us for our Early Career Development Conference on Wednesday 24th June 2026 at the Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum. This event is themed around the transition to independence but will be beneficial to all early career researchers looking to build their knowledge and network. Each active grant has been allocated one space for an early career researcher to attend, and registration is free.
Register today
Register for the event today by filling out a quick registration form.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Research team.
If you are planning on submitting an abstract, please complete the Abstract Submission Form. The deadline for submitting your abstracts is 30th April 2026.
We look forward to seeing you at the event! Early Career Development Conference registration form
Event details
We have secured the Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum Event Suite for this conference, one of the region's most versatile, dramatic and fascinating spaces.
When: Wednesday 24th June 2026, 09:45 - 19:00
Where: Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, Event Suite (3rd Floor), Millennium Point, Birmingham B4 7XG.
Event programme
- Applying for Blood Cancer UK grants:
Considering applying for Blood Cancer UK funding, or planning your next step? This session will introduce the teams who support applications and provides an overview of our funding schemes from pilot grants to fellowships and upcoming PhD opportunities. - Parallel breakout sessions: (Both sessions will be recorded so delegates can catch up on all session content after the conference)
- Practical Research Design - This session will explore the practical steps involved in developing a strong research proposal, including planning a realistic research programme, securing approvals for animal and human tissue work, and how to collaborate with industry to access compounds for experimental studies. The session will conclude with a Q&A, offering the opportunity to ask questions and gain practical advice on developing robust research projects.
- How I Got My Fellowship - There is no single route to securing a fellowship, and successful applications come from a wide range of career paths. In this session, fellows with different backgrounds will share their personal journeys, including training routes and pivoting experiences, and reflect on the key moments that shaped their progression to independence.
- ECR Oral Presentations:
Early career researchers will present selected abstracts in a series of short talks, showcasing their research to the wider blood cancer community. Each presentation will be followed by questions and feedback from experts, offering a valuable opportunity to discuss ideas, refine approaches and gain insight from across the field. - The Importance of PPI:
Patient and public involvement is an essential part of health research and a growing expectation across funding bodies. This session, led by Lisa Whittaker, Research Involvement Lead, alongside Paula Costin from the Research Involvement Network, will introduce PPI support and opportunities available to researchers through Blood Cancer UK. The session will include a practical workshop on writing clear and effective lay summaries, focusing on common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and will conclude with a Q&A offering the opportunity to ask questions and gain insight directly from PPI experts and RIN members. - Plenary session: Future of Blood Cancer UK Strategy, the UK's Cancer Plan and the Role of Research
The closing plenary will look ahead to the future of blood cancer research. The session will outline Blood Cancer UK’s research strategy and priorities, and how these align with the UK Cancer Plan, which sets out national ambitions for improving prevention, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. Through talks and a panel discussion with Q&A, the session will provide delegates with insight into how their research fits within the wider UK research landscape, and how research and career development can align with Blood Cancer UK and national priorities to maximise impact for people affected by blood cancer. - Closing Ceremony followed by Drinks Reception and Poster Exhibition
We will conclude the conference with a short closing ceremony, including the poster and oral presentation prize announcements and final remarks. This will be followed by a drinks reception and poster exhibition, offering an opportunity for attendees to network, continue conversations from the day, and explore research from across the early career community. Poster presenters will have the chance to showcase their work, discuss their findings with peers and senior researchers, and make new connections in an informal setting.
