Events by AGCAS

The NE Automotive Innovation & Supply Forum 2026 is a premier industry conference designed to bring together professionals from every stage of the automotive value chain. Hosted by NE Automotive Alliance, this event focuses on the future of automotive manufacturing, electrification, digital transformation, sustainability, and supply chain resilience within the United Kingdom. As the automotive sector continues to evolve rapidly, manufacturers and suppliers face increasing pressure to improve efficiency, embrace new technologies, reduce emissions, and strengthen collaboration. This conference creates an ideal environment where businesses can share knowledge, discuss challenges, and identify opportunities for future growth. Attendees will benefit from presentations delivered by experienced industry leaders, technology experts, manufacturing specialists, and innovation partners. The programme is designed to provide practical insights that can be applied directly within manufacturing operations, engineering teams, and business development strategies. Whether your organisation manufactures vehicles, develops automotive components, provides engineering services, or supports the wider mobility ecosystem, this event offers valuable learning opportunities and meaningful business connections. Why Attend? The UK automotive sector is entering a new era driven by electrification, automation, digital manufacturing, and sustainability. Businesses must continuously innovate to remain competitive while responding to changing customer expectations and regulatory requirements. This conference helps organisations: Understand current automotive market trends. Explore future manufacturing technologies. Learn best practices from successful companies. Build relationships with new suppliers and partners. Improve operational efficiency through innovation. Discover collaborative research initiatives. Explore digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0. Gain insight into future workforce skills. Strengthen supply chain resilience. Prepare for future business opportunities. Conference Programme The conference includes a full day of informative sessions and networking opportunities. Opening Keynote Industry leaders will discuss the outlook for the UK automotive sector, emerging opportunities, investment trends, and future manufacturing priorities. Automotive Innovation Experts will showcase innovative technologies transforming automotive manufacturing including smart factories, automation, robotics, digital twins, predictive maintenance, and AI-powered production systems. Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Delegates will learn about battery technologies, EV production methods, lightweight materials, charging infrastructure, and the transition toward zero-emission mobility. Supply Chain Resilience Specialists will explain strategies for managing supply chain risks, supplier diversification, logistics optimisation, procurement efficiency, and sustainable sourcing. Digital Manufacturing Sessions explore Industry 4.0 technologies, IoT integration, manufacturing analytics, cloud platforms, cybersecurity, and connected production environments. Sustainability Speakers discuss reducing environmental impact through energy-efficient manufacturing, recycling initiatives, carbon reduction strategies, and circular economy practices. Skills Development Industry experts highlight workforce development, apprenticeships, leadership programmes, engineering education, and future talent requirements. Networking Sessions Dedicated networking breaks enable attendees to meet manufacturers, suppliers, technology providers, consultants, researchers, and investors. Key Learning Outcomes Participants will gain practical knowledge on: Automotive digital transformation Electric vehicle manufacturing Smart production technologies Supply chain optimisation Sustainable manufacturing Industry collaboration Engineering innovation Workforce development Future mobility trends Business growth opportunities Who Should Attend? The conference is suitable for professionals involved in: Vehicle manufacturing Automotive engineering Component production Product development Manufacturing operations Procurement Supply chain management Quality assurance Research and development Business development Innovation management Operations leadership Sustainability management Technical consultancy Networking Opportunities One of the biggest advantages of attending is the opportunity to connect with professionals from across the automotive industry. Delegates can meet: OEM representatives Tier 1 suppliers Tier 2 manufacturers Engineering consultancies Technology providers Academic institutions Government representatives Innovation centres Research organisations Investment partners These conversations frequently lead to collaborative projects, supplier relationships, research partnerships, and new business opportunities. Industry Topics The conference will cover numerous industry themes including: Electric vehicles Connected mobility Autonomous technologies Battery manufacturing Lightweight materials Digital engineering Manufacturing automation Robotics Artificial Intelligence Smart factories Data analytics Workforce transformation Industrial collaboration Benefits for Businesses Companies attending the conference can expect to: Expand professional networks. Identify new suppliers. Explore collaborative innovation projects. Learn from industry experts. Improve manufacturing efficiency. Discover funding opportunities. Increase awareness of emerging technologies. Develop future-ready business strategies. Support employee development. Stay competitive within the evolving automotive market. NE Automotive Alliance NE Automotive Alliance is a respected industry organisation supporting automotive manufacturers, suppliers, engineering businesses, technology companies, and research organisations across the North East of England. Through collaboration, innovation, networking, and knowledge sharing, the alliance helps strengthen the regional automotive sector while promoting sustainable growth and global competitiveness. Its events encourage meaningful engagement between businesses, educational institutions, technology providers, and policymakers, creating opportunities for innovation and long-term industry development. Wrapping Up The NE Automotive Innovation & Supply Forum 2026 provides an excellent opportunity for automotive professionals to stay informed about industry developments while building valuable business relationships. With expert-led presentations, practical discussions, networking sessions, and collaborative opportunities, attendees will gain actionable insights that support innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth. Whether you represent a manufacturer, supplier, engineering company, research institution, or technology provider, this conference offers the knowledge and connections needed to succeed in the rapidly evolving automotive industry.

The Avian Futures conference is the British Ornithologists' Union's flagship autumn scientific meeting for 2026, bringing together researchers, conservationists, students, policymakers, and wildlife professionals from across the United Kingdom and around the world. Hosted in the historic city of York, the conference explores the future of avian biodiversity, addressing both emerging scientific discoveries and practical conservation solutions. The event provides an ideal platform for discussing the challenges birds face in a rapidly changing world while highlighting innovative technologies, collaborative research, and evidence-based conservation practices. Conference Bird populations across the globe are experiencing unprecedented environmental pressures due to habitat degradation, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and human development. Understanding these changes requires collaboration among scientists, ecologists, conservation organizations, policymakers, and technology experts. The Avian Futures conference has been designed to examine how modern research can improve our understanding of bird populations and help shape effective conservation strategies. Delegates will hear presentations from internationally recognized experts, participate in discussions, and discover the latest advances in ecological monitoring, biodiversity modelling, conservation planning, and field research. The conference is delivered as a hybrid event, allowing both in-person and virtual participation to maximize accessibility and international collaboration. Conference Objectives The conference aims to: Explore future challenges affecting bird populations worldwide. Present innovative bird monitoring technologies. Share cutting-edge ornithological research. Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. Support evidence-based conservation policy. Promote sustainable biodiversity management. Build international research partnerships. Inspire early-career researchers. Improve public understanding of bird conservation. Foster knowledge exchange between academia and practitioners. Key Themes Major conference themes include: Future biodiversity forecasting Bird population modelling Climate change impacts Habitat restoration Wildlife monitoring technology Artificial intelligence in ecology Migration research Citizen science Conservation policy Ecological resilience Remote sensing Species recovery Data-driven conservation International collaboration Sustainable environmental management Keynote Sessions Delegates can expect presentations from internationally respected researchers covering: Predicting future biodiversity trends. Advances in automated bird monitoring. Conservation decision-making. Long-term ecological datasets. Emerging research methods. Innovative field technologies. Habitat connectivity. Global conservation priorities. The programme also includes scientific presentations, discussion panels, networking opportunities, and hybrid online participation through Zoom alongside public engagement via Bluesky. Networking Opportunities The conference provides opportunities to: Meet international researchers. Connect with conservation organizations. Collaborate with universities. Discuss funding opportunities. Build academic partnerships. Share research findings. Engage with early-career scientists. Expand professional networks. Benefits of Attending Participants will benefit from: Exposure to current ornithological research. Access to international experts. Professional development. New research collaborations. Latest conservation technologies. Practical ecological insights. Career networking. Publication opportunities. Improved scientific knowledge. Global conservation perspectives. Who Should Attend The event is suitable for: Ornithologists Ecologists Conservation biologists Wildlife managers Environmental consultants University lecturers PhD researchers Postgraduate students Government agencies NGOs Bird monitoring organizations Nature reserve managers Citizen science coordinators Biodiversity specialists Environmental policymakers Why York? York offers an excellent setting for an international scientific conference, combining outstanding transport links with a strong academic community. The venue provides modern conference facilities while allowing delegates easy access to accommodation, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Hybrid Participation The British Ornithologists' Union continues its commitment to inclusive scientific communication by providing both in-person and online participation. Online attendees can access conference presentations remotely, making the event accessible to an international audience while reducing travel barriers. Professional Development Attending Avian Futures enables delegates to: Learn from global experts. Discover innovative research. Develop new collaborations. Improve technical knowledge. Stay informed about conservation trends. Enhance academic profiles. Exchange practical experiences. Build lasting professional relationships. Wrapping UP Avian Futures represents one of the UK's leading ornithology conferences for 2026. Organized by the British Ornithologists' Union, the event provides an exceptional opportunity for researchers, conservation practitioners, educators, and students to exchange ideas, present scientific discoveries, and collaborate on protecting bird populations for future generations. Through keynote lectures, technical presentations, networking sessions, and hybrid participation, the conference continues the BOU's long-standing commitment to advancing ornithological science and supporting evidence-based conservation worldwide.

The AGCAS Regional Careers Leadership Symposium is a premier gathering for senior higher education professionals, career service managers, and strategic policymakers dedicated to the evolution of graduate employability within the North of England. Hosted in the heart of Sheffield, this event serves as a critical platform for discussing the shifting landscape of the UK labor market and the specific challenges faced by regional institutions. As we move into the second half of 2026, the symposium will focus heavily on "The Place-Based Employability Model," exploring how universities in the Sheffield City Region can better align their curricula with local industrial needs, from advanced manufacturing to the burgeoning digital sector. Attendees will engage in high-level plenary sessions led by AGCAS executive members and guest speakers from the Department for Education. The symposium aims to bridge the gap between national career standards and local implementation. We will delve into the latest "What Do Graduates Do?" data, providing a granular look at employment trends for 2026 graduates. This is not merely a lecture series but an interactive forum where leaders can share "pain points" and successful case studies regarding student engagement in a post-AI recruitment world. Workshops will cover topics such as the integration of sustainable development goals into career coaching and the ethical implications of using predictive analytics in student placement. By attending, participants will gain a refreshed perspective on leadership within the careers sector, equipping them with the tools to lead their teams through the complexities of modern HE funding and student expectations. The event concludes with a structured networking session designed to foster cross-institutional partnerships, ensuring that the impact of the symposium extends far beyond the closing remarks.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are at the core of the AGCAS mission. The Social Mobility and Inclusion Seminar, held in the historic but technologically advanced spaces of Sheffield City Centre, addresses the systemic barriers that prevent underrepresented student groups from accessing top-tier graduate roles. In 2026, the focus is on "Intersectionality in Career Transitions," acknowledging that a student’s journey is influenced by a complex web of socioeconomic background, ethnicity, disability, and gender. The seminar will showcase the winners of the AGCAS Awards for Excellence in EDI, providing a deep dive into successful initiatives that have moved the needle on social mobility. We will host a keynote from a leading expert on "The Class Ceiling," followed by breakout sessions on topics such as: supporting refugee and asylum seeker students in HE, tailoring career advice for care-experienced youth, and dismantling bias in automated recruitment systems. Participants will be encouraged to audit their own career services during the session, using AGCAS-approved frameworks to identify gaps in their inclusivity strategies. This is a safe space for difficult conversations about institutional privilege and the role of the careers professional as an advocate for social change. By the end of the day, attendees will have a "Social Mobility Toolkit" to implement at their home institutions, ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has an equal shot at a fulfilling career.

The AGCAS Employer Engagement Forum is a specialized bridge-building event designed to bring together Higher Education careers staff and leading recruiters from the UK’s Information Technology and Engineering sectors. Based in the innovative environment of Sheffield’s Olympic Legacy Park, this forum focuses on the evolving skills required for the 2027-2030 graduate intake. As industries pivot toward specialized AI, green energy, and cybersecurity, careers services must stay ahead of the curve to prepare students for the roles of tomorrow. This event features a series of "Reverse Career Fairs" where employers pitch their future needs to university staff. Keynote speakers from Sheffield-based tech firms and national recruiters like IBM and Rolls-Royce will discuss the "Skills Gap" and how universities can adapt. A major theme of the 2026 forum is "Neurodiversity in Tech Recruitment," exploring how careers services can support neurodivergent students in navigating traditional assessment centers and coding interviews. The forum also includes a panel discussion on the rise of "micro-credentials" and how they are viewed by major tech employers compared to traditional degrees. For AGCAS members, this is a prime opportunity to build direct lines of communication with industry recruiters, facilitating smoother placement and graduate recruitment pipelines for their respective universities. The day is designed to be highly interactive, with "speed-dating" style networking sessions between employers and university employer engagement officers.

In an era where data is king, the AGCAS Research and Evidence-Based Practice Workshop provides careers professionals with the essential skills to turn raw student data into actionable insights. This intensive one-day session, held at the AGCAS headquarters in Sheffield, is designed for practitioners who wish to elevate their service delivery through rigorous academic research and statistical evidence. The workshop moves beyond basic reporting, teaching participants how to design internal research projects that can influence university-wide strategy. The morning sessions will focus on "Qualitative vs. Quantitative Methodologies in Careers Research," helping attendees understand which tools are best suited for measuring student "career readiness" and "employability capital." We will explore how to use the AGCAS Research Reports as a benchmark for local service evaluation. In the afternoon, the focus shifts to practical application: participants will work in small groups to draft a research proposal based on their own institution’s data gaps. Expert facilitators from the AGCAS Research Committee will provide one-on-one feedback, ensuring every attendee leaves with a concrete plan for a project that could potentially be published in the Phoenix Journal. Furthermore, the workshop addresses the "impact" agenda. How do we prove to university executives that career interventions work? By mastering the art of the evidence-based narrative, practitioners can better secure funding and resources for their departments. This event is a must for anyone looking to transition from a purely practitioner role to a practitioner-researcher, contributing to the wider body of knowledge in the graduate careers sector.

The AGCAS Annual Conference is the premier professional development event for Higher Education (HE) careers and employability professionals in the UK. Taking place in the vibrant city of Sheffield, this multi-day flagship event brings together leaders, practitioners, and stakeholders from across the globe to explore the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the graduate labor market. Under the theme of "Empowering Future Talent," the 2026 conference will delve into the intersection of technology, social mobility, and evolving employer needs. Attendees can expect a high-energy environment filled with thought-provoking keynote addresses from industry pioneers, interactive breakout sessions, and specialized workshops designed to sharpen professional skills. The conference serves as a critical platform for sharing evidence-based practices, discussing policy shifts, and showcasing innovative approaches to student engagement. Beyond the formal sessions, the event is renowned for its networking opportunities, allowing delegates to forge lasting partnerships within the HE community. Whether you are looking to understand the impact of AI on recruitment, enhance your service’s inclusivity, or simply reconnect with peers, the AGCAS Annual Conference 2026 offers an unparalleled professional experience in the heart of South Yorkshire.