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Stoke CON Trent stands as the premier pop culture, gaming, and media convention in Staffordshire, bringing together fans of comic books, sci-fi cinema, television, retro gaming, and cosplay. Hosted in partnership with student community hubs and popular campus facilities like Staffordshire Students' Union, this flagship event celebrates creativity, fandom, and local creative talents in a vibrant and welcoming setting. The convention features a wide array of activities tailored to fans of all ages. Attendees can look forward to exclusive guest panels and Q&A sessions with television actors, voiceover artists, and iconic comic book creators. Visitors have the unique opportunity to meet their favorite stars, secure personalized autographs, and pose for professional photographs throughout the day. For pop culture collectors, the expansive Trader Zone serves as a bustling marketplace. Dozens of independent retailers, artists, and creators offer rare merchandise, vintage comics, customized apparel, handcrafted collectibles, tabletop gaming gear, and original artwork. Whether you are searching for a missing issue to complete your collection or looking for unique fan memorabilia, the trader floor provides endless options. Cosplay forms the beating heart of Stoke CON Trent. Throughout the day, attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters from movies, anime, video games, and comic books. A dedicated Cosplay Parade and Competition takes place on the main stage, giving participants the platform to showcase their craft, original designs, and character performance. Categories cater to both beginner costumers and experienced prop builders, evaluated by an expert panel of guest judges. Interactive entertainment zones keep energy high across the venue. The Retro & Modern Gaming Zone offers free-to-play console stations, competitive tournaments, and casual arcade setups. Simultaneously, creative workshops provide hands-on experience in prop making, comic illustration, and costume crafting. Designed for families, dedicated youth activity corners feature LEGO play pits, board gaming stations, and interactive treasure hunts.

Step Inside the Heritage of British Pottery Craftsmanship Discover the rich heritage of English ceramic art with an exclusive, hands-on experience at the world-renowned Emma Bridgewater Factory in Stoke-on-Trent. Tucked away on the historic banks of the Caldon Canal in Hanley, this active Victorian pottery site offers guests a rare behind-the-scenes look into the world of handmade earthenware. Designed for ceramic aficionados, home decorators, and creative souls alike, this interactive day out brings together educational history, traditional industrial engineering, and personal artistic expression in the heart of Britain's famous Potteries region. Explore the Historic Victorian Factory Floor Your day begins with a guided walkthrough of the working factory floor, where history and modern craft meet. Led by knowledgeable local experts, you will observe the precise series of steps required to transform raw clay into finished, world-famous pottery. Watch thirty pairs of skilled hands execute delicate tasks, including casting, fettling, jiggering, and first-stage kiln firing. You will stand alongside talented hand-decorating artists as they apply signature patterns—from iconic polka dots to intricate botanical motifs—using time-honored hand-sponging techniques passed down through generations of Staffordshire craftspeople. Unleash Your Inner Artist in the Decorating Studio Following your educational walk through the factory, transition to the vibrant Decorating Studio for a personalized pottery painting workshop. Here, expert instructors will assist you as you select your favorite unglazed earthenware piece—whether a classic half-pint mug, a serving plate, or a decorative bowl. Utilizing authentic Emma Bridgewater cut-out sponges, vibrant ceramic paints, and fine detail brushes, you can paint your own bespoke design. After your studio session, your masterpiece will be glazed and fired in the factory kilns, ready for collection or home delivery as a lasting keepsake of your creative experience. Indulge in Afternoon Tea & Shopping To conclude your immersive journey, enjoy a relaxing sit-down Afternoon Tea hosted inside the charming Factory Café. Indulge in freshly baked scones with clotted cream, artisan sandwiches, and rich hot tea, all presented on colorful Emma Bridgewater pottery. Before heading home, take time to explore the popular Factory Shop and Outlet, which features rare second-quality pieces, discontinued collector items, and seasonal home collections at exclusive prices.

The European University Association (EUA) UK-Europe Higher Education Strategy Forum represents a critical milestone in the ongoing dialogue between continental European universities and their counterparts in the United Kingdom. As the landscape of international research and student mobility continues to shift, this event serves as a dedicated platform for senior university leaders, policymakers, and academic researchers to align on shared goals for the 2026-2030 period. The forum will delve into the complexities of "University cooperation in changing contexts," specifically focusing on how UK institutions can deepen their integration with European networks despite evolving regulatory frameworks. Attendees will participate in high-level plenary sessions discussing the impact of digital transformation on cross-border pedagogy, the role of universities in driving the green transition, and the preservation of academic freedom across the EHEA (European Higher Education Area). A significant portion of the program is dedicated to the "Future of Research Funding," exploring collaborative opportunities within Horizon Europe and successor programs. Through a series of interactive workshops, participants will share best practices for institutional autonomy and quality assurance. This event is not merely a meeting but a strategic assembly designed to forge lasting partnerships that transcend borders, ensuring that the European knowledge ecosystem remains robust, inclusive, and globally competitive. By bringing the EUA’s expertise to Southampton, the forum highlights the maritime city’s role as a gateway for international academic excellence.

The 34th International Conference on Modelling, Monitoring, and Management of Air Pollution 2026 continues a highly successful series that began in 1993. This event brings together world-leading scientists, industry experts, and government officials to discuss the latest advancements in air quality research. As urban populations grow and industrial activities shift, the challenge of maintaining breathable air becomes increasingly complex. This conference addresses these challenges by exploring the interaction between different pollutants, the impact of climate change on air quality, and the development of new technologies for emission control. Attendees will benefit from a highly technical program featuring double-peer-reviewed papers. The Wessex Institute’s "knowledge transfer" mission ensures that all presented research is archived in the WIT eLibrary, providing open-access resources to the global scientific community. Topics include aerosol and particle research, monitoring and measuring, air pollution modelling, and the health effects of pollution in urban environments. The event provides a unique forum for delegates to network, collaborate on international research projects, and influence future environmental policy.