Manchester Health Series 2025/2026
2025-12-03 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
The free-of-charge events in Manchester will take place on:
3rd December 2025 (Companion Diagnostics)
26th March 2026 (Nuclear Medicine)
They will feature keynote speakers, fireside chats, roundtable discussions, expos, pitch sessions, one-to-one clinics (where possible), super connect networking sessions, and more. Empact Ventures will support you to get super connected with potential partners, clients, funders or business support during and after the event through its warm, curated email introductions process, in addition to your networking.
To reserve your place, please fill in the registration form below, and if you have any questions, please email jemma@empact-ventures.com

Could new research help to reduce the need for immunosuppression after a kidney transplant?
2026-02-26 18:00 - 19:00 | Online, United Kingdom
Webinar hosted by the UK Organ Donation and Transplantation Research Network (UKODTRN).
Regulatory T cells are a type of immune cell that naturally calm down unwanted immune reactions. In this webinar, Professor Fadi Issa will describe how researchers are trying to harness these cells to reduce the need for life long immunosuppressant drugs after having a transplant. He will share what the lab and early clinical results show so far and discuss what this research could mean for patients in the future.
The session will conclude with a 15-minute Q&A discussion with your submitted questions.
The UKODTRN is administered by Kidney Research UK.

First Virtual Equity Charter COP
2026-03-04 12:30 - 13:30
First Virtual Equity Charter COP date loading (4th March 12:30-13:30)
Equity in digital health cannot be a side conversation. It has to be designed in.
Because digital is never neutral.
On 4 March, we will be coming together for the Equity Charter Community of Practice. It is a space for honest dialogue, shared learning, and collective action to ensure equity genuinely shows up in our systems, services and leadership.
Digital tools can widen gaps or close them.
They can exclude quietly or empower intentionally.
They reflect the values of those who build and implement them.
This isn’t a webinar.
It’s not passive listening.
It’s a community.
If you work in digital, data, transformation, clinical leadership, policy, or design , this space is for you.
📅 First session: 4 March | 12:30–13:30 | Virtual
📅 3 June | 16:30–17:30
📅 29 September | In person at HETT
📅 25 November | 12:30–13:30
Equity is not an abstract principle. It is a daily practice.
If you would like to be part of this growing movement, sign up here:

How to write a plain English summary
2026-03-24 12:00 - 13:00
Discover an in-depth understanding of plain English summaries and how to write an effective one at our webinar on 24 March from 12-1pm.
Attend to discover:
➡️ insights from a public contributor you can apply to your research application
➡️ what support is available
➡️ where to find useful resources
An integral part of research that is funded by NIHR is to ensure that patients, carers, service users and the public have the opportunity to shape and influence the relevance, quality and impact of our health and care research.
A plain English summary is a clear, brief summary of the research, written for members of the public rather than researchers or professionals.
This webinar will be relevant to you if you are an NIHR-funded researcher or a researcher applying for an NIHR career development award.
The webinar will cover:
➡️ NIHR’s Strategic Commitments for Public Partnerships
➡️ explanation of plain English summaries and their importance
➡️ how to write one and what to include
➡️ what support is available through the Research Support Service (RSS)
➡️ signposting to useful resources
By attending this webinar, you will discover:
➡️ an in-depth understanding of plain English summaries and how to write an effective one
➡️ insights from a public contributor that you can apply to your research application
The 60-minute webinar will be facilitated by Linda Onerhime-Prince, Senior NIHR PPI Manager and Dr Jo Lally, Strategic Lead for Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, NIHR RSS.

Manchester Health Series 2025/2026
2026-03-26 08:00 - 17:00
The free-of-charge events in Manchester will take place on:
26th March 2026 (Nuclear Medicine)
They will feature keynote speakers, fireside chats, roundtable discussions, expos, pitch sessions, one-to-one clinics (where possible), super connect networking sessions, and more. Empact Ventures will support you to get super connected with potential partners, clients, funders or business support during and after the event through its warm, curated email introductions process, in addition to your networking.
To reserve your place, please fill in the registration form below, and if you have any questions, please email jemma@empact-ventures.com

Coffee and Learn: Unlocking the Strategic Value of Patient Engagement in Healthcare Investments - A Tool for the PE Community
2026-04-23 15:00 - 16:00 | Online, United Kingdom
This tool equips PE champions with the knowledge, evidence, and strategies to position patient engagement (PE) as a value driver in healthcare investment. We’ll explore how integrating patient engagement (PE) into the investment community can align investor motivations with PE’s potential to drive both financial returns and societal impact in healthcare businesses.
Whether you want to engage with investors directly or nudge your investor relations colleagues, don’t miss out on hearing from fellow PE Champions on how they’ve already leveraged this new tool – join us to embark on the shared journey to advance patient-centered solutions with investors!

PROBr & NIHR presents: Clinical Trials Week Webinar Series (3 day part)
2026-05-18 - 2026-05-20 | Online, United Kingdom
Explore clinical research, innovation, and myths in this 3-part webinar series. Learn, engage, and be part of the future of healthcare.

A 3-Part Webinar Series Exploring Research, Innovation & Inclusion
Join PROBr and the NIHR part of Your Voice in Health Research for a dynamic, educational, and interactive Clinical Trials Week, designed to open the door to research for everyone, whether you’re completely new or already involved in healthcare, academia, or innovation.
This 3-day virtual series brings together researchers, clinicians, innovators, and the public to break down what clinical research really is, explore cutting-edge innovations, and challenge common misconceptions that often prevent people from getting involved.

Digital Literacy as a Determinant of Health
2026-05-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Mid Yorkshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 4DG, United Kingdom
Digital literacy is increasingly a gateway to health, wellbeing and opportunity. Accessing GP services, managing long-term conditions, applying for benefits, finding housing support, or engaging in education now relies on digital confidence as much as clinical provision.

Building on widely recognised determinants of health, such as income, housing, education and social networks, digital inclusion is emerging as a critical determinant shaping how people experience health and care across West Yorkshire.

This event brings together community leaders, healthcare professionals, innovators, and people with lived experience to explore how local communities are responding and what collective action looks like next. Participants will share insights, discuss practical solutions, and contribute to a West Yorkshire Digital Literacy Insight Resource that captures learning from across the region.

What to expect
– Interactive sessions: conversation tables, QR prompts, post-it notes and discussion cards so everyone can join in
– Lightning talks: hear real stories from local innovators, health educators and people driving change in the community
– Networking: connect with people from health, tech, community organisations and local government
– Action focus: help identify priorities that will shape the West Yorkshire resource and future One HealthTech activity

Whether you work in health or tech, or simply care about making digital health fairer, you’re very welcome. Let’s come together, share ideas and build something better. Arrive at 17:30 for refreshments, with the event starting at 18:00.

Your Voice in Health Research Summit
2026-05-22 17:00 - 20:30 | Cardigan Community Centre, Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Join us in person to share your experiences and ideas about health research! This is your chance to make a real impact and help shape the future of healthcare. Come meet researchers, connect with others passionate about health, and have your voice heard in a relaxed and friendly setting. Don’t miss out on this awesome opportunity to be part of something meaningful!
For more information, visit the organiser’s website: https://www.probr.co

AI, Literacy & Trust: What Communities Need to Know
2026-06-04 18:00 - 20:00 | University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Artificial Intelligence is already part of everyday life; helping shape healthcare, public services and how people access support.

But many people feel AI is happening to them rather than with them.

What does AI actually mean for communities?

Can we trust it?

Who decides how it’s used?

And how do we make sure it works fairly for everyone?

This event creates space for an open, honest conversation about understanding AI, building trust and making sure communities have a voice in how technology is designed and used.

No jargon. No hype. Just real discussion about what matters.

Disability Inclusion Webinar
2026-06-08 15:00 - 16:30 | Online, United Kingdom
A global call to action for disability inclusion in health research, 15:00 to 16:30 BST, Monday 8th June 2026.

The Disability Inclusion in Research Collaboration (DIRECT), NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, and NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Accelerated Surgical Care invite you to:
A global call to action for disability inclusion in health research, 15:00 to 16:30 BST, Monday 8th June 2026.
This free online webinar will outline key messages from a recently published global call to action, including:

Challenges to disability inclusion in health research related to monitoring disability inclusion, the research cycle, and the research and advisory workforce.

Actions to advance disability inclusion for research teams, infrastructure organisations, and wider stakeholders.

Practical examples of work focused on advancing disability inclusion.

Accessibility and questions
The webinar will be hosted on Zoom and recorded.
British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting and real-time captioning will be provided.
Slides will be shared prior to the webinar. The webinar recording and transcript will be shared after the webinar.
If you have any other access needs for this webinar, or any questions about the webinar, please contact Libby via PPIBRC@leeds.ac.uk.
Presenters
The webinar will be presented by DIRECT members with diverse lived and professional experience of disability, including:

Dr Anna Anderson, University of Leeds, UK

Professor Bonnielin Swenor, Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, USA.

Jasjot Maggo, University of Otago, New Zealand.

Associate Professor Amy M Russell, University of Leeds, UK.

Dr Victoria Shepherd, Cardiff University, UK.

Associate Professor Katherine Deane, University of East Anglia, UK.

Agenda

Welcome and introduction (Anna Anderson).
Monitoring disability inclusion – challenges and actions (Bonnielin Swenor).
Practical example – disability data collection (Bonnielin Swenor).
Research cycle – challenges and actions (Jasjot Maggo).
Practical example – working with people with learning disabilities (Amy M Russell).
Practical example – research with people with impaired capacity to consent (Victoria Shepherd).
Research and advisory workforce – challenges and actions (Katherine Deane).
Practical example – Lab Access guidelines (Katherine Deane).
Take-home messages (Anna Anderson).
Questions.

Thank you for your interest in our webinar!

Digital Poverty: When Access Isn’t Equal
2026-06-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Aire Logic Limited, Aireside House, 24 Aire St, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4HT, United Kingdom
About the Event

Digital services are increasingly becoming the default way people access healthcare, public services, education and employment support.
But access isn’t equal.

For many communities, digital exclusion is shaped by affordability, connectivity, confidence and wider cost-of-living pressures with real consequences for health outcomes and opportunity.

This event creates space for an open conversation about digital inclusion, practical solutions and how systems and communities can work together to reduce digital inequality.

No assumptions. No blame. Just honest discussion about what works and what still needs to change.

Key questions

When services become “digital by default”, who gets left behind?

How do device access, data poverty and affordability affect health and wellbeing?

What practical solutions are already working locally?

How do policy and grassroots approaches come together?
