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The Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Training Programme – Autumn 2026 is a professional development workshop organized by The Institute of Mental Health (IMH), one of the UK's leading organizations dedicated to advancing mental health research, innovation, and education. Delivered online through Microsoft Teams, this CPD-accredited programme is designed to equip researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, and public contributors with the knowledge and practical skills required to involve patients and the public meaningfully in health and care research. Patient and Public Involvement has become a cornerstone of modern healthcare research. Instead of conducting research solely from an academic perspective, PPI ensures that research priorities, methods, and outcomes reflect the real experiences and needs of patients, carers, families, and communities. This training programme provides participants with an opportunity to understand best practices while developing confidence in collaborative working. Running from 9 September to 7 October 2026, the programme consists of structured learning sessions led by experienced trainers and researchers. Participants will gain practical insights into planning, implementing, and evaluating public involvement activities while learning how collaborative partnerships can improve research quality and impact. Why This Workshop Matters Healthcare research is increasingly expected to involve patients and members of the public throughout the research process. Evidence consistently demonstrates that meaningful engagement improves research relevance, participant recruitment, communication, and implementation of findings. This workshop supports these objectives by providing practical training that helps participants understand: Principles of effective public involvement Ethical and inclusive engagement practices Building sustainable partnerships Designing research with community input Evaluating the impact of involvement The programme combines expert presentations, interactive discussions, collaborative exercises, and practical examples drawn from real mental health research projects. Learning Objectives Participants attending this workshop will develop practical knowledge in several important areas, including: Understanding Patient and Public Involvement principles Identifying appropriate involvement opportunities throughout research Designing inclusive engagement strategies Working effectively with lived experience contributors Building confidence in collaborative decision-making Evaluating PPI activities Meeting funding body expectations Improving research quality through public engagement Each session encourages active participation, allowing attendees to share experiences and learn from fellow researchers, healthcare professionals, and community representatives. Who Should Attend? This training programme is suitable for professionals at various stages of their careers, including: Mental health researchers Clinical researchers NHS healthcare professionals University academics Public involvement coordinators Research nurses Patient representatives Community engagement officers Health charity professionals Research managers PhD students Early career researchers Individuals who are new to Patient and Public Involvement will gain an excellent introduction, while experienced professionals can strengthen their existing knowledge through current best practices and shared learning. Programme Benefits Participants completing the programme can expect numerous professional benefits. CPD Accreditation The programme is CPD accredited, allowing attendees to record valuable continuing professional development hours. Expert Instruction Training is delivered by experienced professionals involved in leading mental health research initiatives across the UK. Interactive Learning Rather than relying solely on lectures, the workshop incorporates practical activities, case studies, and group discussions. Networking Opportunities Attendees will connect with researchers, clinicians, public contributors, and healthcare professionals from different organizations. Practical Resources Participants receive guidance and practical examples that can immediately be applied within future research projects. Importance of Public Involvement in Mental Health Research Mental health research presents unique challenges because experiences vary significantly between individuals and communities. By involving patients and carers from the earliest planning stages, researchers gain valuable perspectives that cannot be obtained through traditional academic approaches alone. Public involvement contributes to: Better research questions Improved participant recruitment More accessible study materials Greater trust between researchers and communities Improved dissemination of findings Enhanced real-world impact The Institute of Mental Health has consistently promoted collaborative research approaches that place lived experience at the centre of innovation and service improvement. Why Attend This Event? Attending this workshop offers practical value regardless of whether participants are new to research or experienced investigators. The programme provides current guidance aligned with modern healthcare research standards while encouraging collaborative thinking and practical implementation. Participants leave with greater confidence in developing inclusive research practices and stronger understanding of how meaningful public involvement improves research quality. For healthcare organizations, universities, charities, and NHS partners, these skills contribute directly to stronger funding applications, improved research delivery, and greater community engagement. About The Institute of Mental Health The Institute of Mental Health is based at the University of Nottingham's Innovation Park and works closely with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and numerous research partners. The Institute supports world-class research, education, public engagement, and innovation across multiple areas of mental health, including dementia, neurodevelopmental disorders, digital mental health, recovery, and public involvement. Its events programme includes conferences, workshops, seminars, webinars, and professional development courses that promote collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and people with lived experience. Final Thoughts The Patient and Public Involvement Training Programme – Autumn 2026 represents an outstanding opportunity for professionals interested in strengthening collaborative research practices within healthcare and mental health. Through expert-led instruction, interactive learning, and practical guidance, attendees will gain valuable knowledge that supports more inclusive, effective, and impactful research. Whether you work in academia, the NHS, healthcare research, or community engagement, this free CPD-accredited workshop offers practical skills that can immediately improve your approach to patient and public involvement while expanding your professional network across the UK's mental health research community.

The ARC Council Meeting September 2026 is an important professional gathering organized by the Academic Registrars Council (ARC), the national professional body representing senior academic administrators and registrars across higher education institutions in the United Kingdom. Scheduled for 4 September 2026, this meeting provides an opportunity for ARC members to discuss strategic priorities, policy developments, institutional challenges, and collaborative initiatives that shape academic administration throughout the UK. Designed specifically for senior professionals responsible for academic governance, registry services, student administration, quality assurance, and institutional management, the meeting serves as a forum where higher education leaders can exchange ideas, share best practices, and strengthen collaboration across universities. Purpose of the Event The Council Meeting enables members to remain informed about emerging developments affecting the higher education sector. Participants will review national policy changes, discuss operational challenges, examine regulatory updates, and contribute to discussions that influence the future direction of academic administration. ARC continues to support institutions by promoting excellence in academic and student administration while encouraging collaboration between universities, government agencies, and sector organizations. Expected Agenda The September Council Meeting is expected to include: Welcome from the ARC Executive Sector policy updates Higher education regulatory developments Student administration and registry innovations Governance and compliance discussions Institutional case studies Professional networking Future ARC initiatives Open discussion forum Closing remarks Key Discussion Areas The meeting will explore a variety of strategic topics including: Academic governance Student lifecycle management Digital transformation Registry modernization Admissions and enrolment Assessment regulations Student records management Quality assurance Data governance Regulatory compliance Institutional resilience Professional development Leadership within higher education National education policy Collaborative sector initiatives These discussions help institutions remain prepared for evolving regulatory expectations while improving operational efficiency and student services. Professional Learning Attendees will benefit from practical insights shared by experienced academic registrars and university leaders. The meeting encourages participants to discuss successful institutional initiatives and identify practical solutions that can be adapted within their own organizations. Participants will also gain a better understanding of current challenges affecting universities and colleges, including digital innovation, governance reforms, operational efficiency, and student engagement. Networking Opportunities One of the major strengths of the ARC Council Meeting is the opportunity to connect with professionals from universities throughout the United Kingdom. Networking sessions allow delegates to: Exchange professional experiences Discuss institutional challenges Develop collaborative partnerships Share innovative practices Expand professional networks Many long-term sector collaborations have originated through ARC networking events. Why Attend? The ARC Council Meeting offers valuable benefits for professionals seeking to remain informed about developments within higher education administration. Delegates can enhance their leadership knowledge, gain practical insights into emerging sector issues, contribute to national discussions, and build lasting relationships with peers from institutions across the UK. The event also supports institutional improvement by enabling attendees to bring back innovative ideas, operational best practices, and strategic knowledge that can strengthen governance and student services within their own universities. Final Thoughts The ARC Council Meeting September 2026 represents an important opportunity for academic registrars, university administrators, and higher education leaders to collaborate on issues affecting the future of academic administration. Through expert discussions, policy updates, networking opportunities, and knowledge sharing, the meeting supports continuous professional development while reinforcing ARC's commitment to excellence within the UK higher education sector. Delegates will leave with valuable insights, stronger professional connections, and practical ideas that contribute to institutional success and sector-wide collaboration.

The Advanced Pigment & Chemical Manufacturing Summit is an exclusive two-day technical seminar hosted by James M. Brown Ltd at their headquarters in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent. As a company with a heritage dating back to 1926, James M. Brown Ltd has established itself as a cornerstone of the UK’s chemical manufacturing sector, particularly renowned for its production of high-performance cadmium pigments and specialist additives. This upcoming event is designed to bridge the gap between traditional manufacturing excellence and future-focused industrial innovations. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape of pigment technology, with a specific focus on sustainability, regulatory compliance, and the technical application of zinc and cadmium-based compounds in modern plastics and coatings. The summit kicks off with a keynote session detailing the latest advancements in "Smart Additives"—materials designed to improve the thermal stability and UV resistance of industrial polymers. Following the keynote, technical lead experts will host a series of deep-dive workshops. These sessions will explore the chemistry of color consistency and the rigorous quality control standards required to maintain global competitiveness in the specialty chemicals market. A significant portion of the event is dedicated to the "Green Chemistry Initiative." As the industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, James M. Brown Ltd will showcase their recent investments in sustainable manufacturing processes, including their transition toward solar-integrated energy solutions at the Fenton site. This segment will provide valuable insights for firms looking to decarbonize their supply chains without compromising on material performance. Beyond the technical presentations, the summit serves as a premier networking hub for professionals in the Staffordshire industrial corridor and beyond. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in peer-to-peer discussions during the catered lunch breaks and an afternoon "Manufacturer’s Roundtable," where challenges such as raw material volatility and post-Brexit trade logistics will be addressed. Whether you are a Research Scientist looking for the next breakthrough in pigment dispersion or a Procurement Manager seeking reliable UK-based chemical sourcing, this summit offers the technical expertise and networking opportunities necessary to stay ahead in the industrial engineering sector. Join us in Stoke-on-Trent to celebrate a century of manufacturing excellence while engineering the solutions for the next hundred years.