PROGRAMME

MLSFF26 builds on the momentum, learning and energy of last year’s forum, bringing the community together once again for three days of insight, connection and action. Taking place in March 2026, this year’s programme will continue to centre equity, scientific excellence and collective ambition within the life sciences.

From emerging researchers to sector leaders, the programme will showcase the breadth of talent across our community. Sessions will include flash symposia, panel conversations, workshops, roundtables and keynote talks, alongside space for mentoring, networking and reflection. Themes will span health inequities, structural change in science, innovation for social impact, leadership, funding access and career progression.

MLSFF26 will widen its regional reach, drawing delegates from across the UK and beyond, while retaining the distinctive atmosphere that made MLSFF25 so powerful. There will be no single pathway through the programme. Delegates will be encouraged to shape their own experience, attending the sessions that resonate, challenge or energise them most.


This schedule will be updated as speakers and sessions are confirmed. Use it to explore what’s planned, understand the structure of the programme, and follow the ideas and conversations shaping MLSFF26.

Monday 23 March
11am – 12pm
Registration and Poster Session

Event Essentials

12pm – 1pm
Workshop - The Growth Paradigm Shift: Rewiring Mindsets for Learning, Leadership, and Impact in STEM

Workshop

1pm – 2pm
Networking Lunch

Event Essentials

2pm – 3pm
Scientific Symposia - Genomics, Genetics & Precision Medicine

Symposia Session

Scientific Symposia - Neuroscience & Neurodegeneration

Symposia Session

Scientific Symposia - Health Equity & Community Systems

Symposia Session

Scientific Symposia - Antimicrobial Resistance & Therapeutic Innovation

Symposia Session

Scientific Symposia - Reimagining the pipeline - Inclusive Education in the Life Sciences: From Access to Success

Symposia Session

3pm – 3.10pm
Break

Event Essentials

3.10pm – 4.10pm
Panel Discussion - My Truth, My Power: Authentic Storytelling in Research Careers

Workshop

Workshop - Bridging the funding gap for ethnic minority researchers in the UK

Workshop

Mentorship Café

Mentorship Forum

Workshop - From Data to Action: Co-creating Approaches to Address Awarding Gaps in Life Sciences

Workshop

Roundtable - The Faithful Scientists: How Faith & Belief Impacts our Scientific Career

Roundtable

4.10pm – 4.30pm
Break

Event Essentials

4.30pm – 4.40pm
Welcome to Edinburgh

Plenary Session

4.40pm – 4.50pm
Welcome to MLSFF 2026 - Professor Emmanuel Adukwu

Plenary Session

4.50pm – 5pm
Tribute to Professor Sir Geoff Palmer

Plenary Session

5pm – 6pm
Welcome Keynote with Professor Devi Sridhar

Plenary Session

6pm – 7.45pm
Welcome Reception

Event Essentials

Tuesday 24 March
8am – 9am
Registration and Refreshments

Event Essentials

9am – 9.10am
Opening Remarks

Plenary Session

9.10am – 10am
Keynote

Plenary Session

10am – 10.10am
Break

Event Essentials

10.10am – 11.10am
Scientific Symposia - Vector Biology & Global Infectious Disease Control

Symposia Session

Scientific Symposia - Mental Health, Culture & Systems of Care

Symposia Session

Scientific Symposia - Natural Products, Nutraceuticals & Alternative Therapeutics

Symposia Session

Scientific Symposia - Undergraduate Flash Talks

Symposia Session

11.10am – 11.20am
Break

Event Essentials

11.20am – 12.20pm
Poster Session

Event Essentials

12.20pm – 1.10pm
Networking Lunch

Event Essentials

1.10pm – 2.10pm
Opening & PM Plenary: Panel Discussion - Beyond Initiatives: How do we foster community, leadership and resilience for systemic change?

Plenary Session

2.10pm – 2.20pm
Break

Event Essentials

2.20pm – 3.20pm
Panel - Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling - Career Progression and Leadership Pathways for Black Female Academics

Workshop

Workshop - Who are we in business for? Reimagining Enterprise & Impact

Workshop

Mentorship Café

Mentorship Forum

Roundtable - Shared Journeys: Advancing Representation and Belonging for Disabled People in STEM

Workshop

Roundtable - Bridging the gap: Using PPIE to build trust and advance HE equity in marginalised groups

Roundtable

3.20pm – 3.50pm
Break

Event Essentials

3.50pm – 4.50pm
Workshop - Being Your Own Ambassador: Strategies for Creating and Shaping Your Career Identity

Workshop

Workshop - The Science of Life-Long Learning And Re-Education of The Self: Dr Roger Griffith MBE

Workshop

Workshop - Changing the Narrative: From Lived Experience to Funded Projects for Minoritised researchers.

Workshop

Workshop: The AI Literacy Equity Challenge - How can we ensure that all students benefit from AI tools? (RSB BAG Network)

Workshop

Roundtable - Navigating Career Breaks and Return to Work in the science field

Roundtable

4.50pm – 5pm
Break

Event Essentials

5pm – 6pm
Scientific SymposiaScientific Symposia - Cancer Biology & Molecular Therapeutics

Symposia Session

Scientific Symposia - Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health

Symposia Session

Scientific Symposia - Host-Pathogen Interactions & Infectious Disease Biology

Symposia Session

Scientific Symposia - Undergraduate Flash Talks

Symposia Session

6pm – 7pm
Break

Event Essentials

7pm – 10pm
Conference Dinner - Belonging: Bring Your Authentic Self

Event Essentials

Wednesday 25 March
7.30am – 8am
Registration & Refreshments

Event Essentials

8am – 8.10am
Opening Remarks

Plenary Session

8.10am – 9am
Keynote - Professor Robert Mokaya

Plenary Session

9am – 9.10am
Break

Event Essentials

9.10am – 10.10am
Scientific Symposia - Resilient Food Systems: From Production to Professional Practice

Symposia Session

Scientific Symposia - Planetary Health, Environment & Community Impact

Symposia Session

Scientific Symposia - Molecules to Ecosystems: Integrative Functional Biology

Symposia Session

Scientific Symposia - Space, Advanced Materials & Biophysical Innovation

Symposia Session

Scientific Symposia - Thriving Against the Odds: Health, Leadership and Equity in the Biosciences

Symposia Session

10.10am – 10.20am
Break

Event Essentials

10.20am – 11.20am
Workshop - Empowering Researchers: From Recommendations to Reality

Workshop

Workshop - Three Steps for Career Traction

Workshop

Workshop - Grad School Bound: Navigating the Application to Acceptance in Changing Times.

Workshop

Roundtable - The complexities of interpreting biological sex as binary

Workshop

11.20am – 12.20pm
Lunch

Event Essentials

12.20pm – 1.20pm
Workshop - How to achieve your potential in academia

Workshop

Workshop - Networking With Intention: Building Confidence, Community & Career Pathways in the Life Sciences

Workshop

Roundtable - Bridging the Social Capital Gap in Life Sciences - Smart STEM

Roundtable

1.20pm – 1.30pm
Break

Event Essentials

1.30pm – 2.30pm
Panel

Plenary Session

2.30pm – 3.30pm
Closing Remarks and Prizes

Plenary Session

3.30pm – 4pm
Farewell Refreshments

Event Essentials