Annual Research Conference - Call For Papers
We are happy to announce a call for papers for this year's event.
Our Annual Research Conference showcases our research and explores new cross-disciplinary research directions, stimulating new discipline-focused and cross-disciplinary research. This is an opportunity to learn about research projects and themes across the University, make new research connections, and consider inter-Institute research collaborations.
This year, the conference theme is ‘Co-creating Connections’. Discipline-specific and cross-disciplinary presentations are equally welcome, as we explore the contributions our research makes to society as research agendas change to accommodate the increasing complexity of our world. We are looking forward to presentations from staff and students – everyone is welcome to share their work.
Should you like to take part in the conference, please submit your work or idea using the form below by 24th May 2025.
This year's event will be taking place at our Bedford campus on Tuesday, 24th June 2025.
Attendance registration will open in due course.
This year’s theme is ‘Co-creating Connections’, taken as widely as possible:
- Cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary research – theoretical and methodological connections
- Community engagement
- Co-production of research
- Collaborative research
- Cross-disciplinary thematic sessions
- Keynote presentation
- Poster display
- 3-minute thesis session
- Social event for delegates
We welcome ALL staff and postgraduate research students to present their work linked to the themes in conference paper sessions or as posters.
Presentations and posters are particularly welcome from (but not limited to) the following:
- Early career researchers
- Postgraduate research students
- Internally or externally funded projects
- Professors, Associate Professors and experienced researchers
- Collaborative projects (both inter-institutional and intra-institutional)
Presentation & Posters
To participate in a research presentation or research poster session please submit a short abstract (250-300 words) of the presentation, or a brief description of a poster (100 words) by 24th May 2025 - indicating the theme that is related to your presentation or poster. Please note: research presentations should be no longer than 20 minutes.
Participants will be notified of the conference paper and poster programme soon thereafter.
If you wish to work with a group of colleagues, or wish to propose an activity that is not a paper session or poster, please use the form below to submit your ideas.
3-minute Thesis for Postgraduate Research Students
Postgraduate research students are invited to participate in a '3-minute Thesis' competition. The 3-minute thesis (3MT) is 'a compelling spoken presentation on [a] research topic and its significance in just three minutes'. For further details visit the Vitae website:
These will be presented in one of the conference sessions and judged by a panel of academics and peers. There will be two book token prizes for the best presentations. To take part, please submit the title of your presentation via the form below by 24th May 2025.
Details of workshops and key notes will become available in due course, following which you will be able to register for the workshops.
If you wish to propose an activity that is not a paper session or poster, please contact us via the form below at your earliest convenience.