Abstract submission is now open!

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) prevents, prepares for and responds to infectious diseases, and environmental, radiological and chemical hazards, to keep all our communities safe, save lives and protect livelihoods. The conference brings together government, academia, and industry to discuss science, strategy, and policy.

Submit your abstract for oral or ePoster presentation to showcase the latest advancements in health protection from UKHSA and beyond. This is a fantastic opportunity to share your research, insights and expertise with colleagues and a diverse audience of healthcare professionals and policymakers.

We are inviting submissions that represent the breadth of national health security work, and that address our 2025 conference theme and tracks, reflecting the UKHSA Strategic Plan (2023 to 2026).

View submission guidance

See how your work aligns! Click the topics below to explore further

Our conference theme for 2025 is Health equity in health security, addressing how we work to tackle health equity and provide protection to our local communities, our country and for the global economy. As well as our conference theme, we welcome abstracts addressing our health security priorities:

Prepare
Be ready to respond to all hazards to health
Improve health outcomes through vaccines

Respond
Reduce the impact of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance
Protect health from threats in the environment

Build
Improve action on public health through data and insight
Develop the UK’s health security capacity

Public health science and research 
We welcome abstracts that demonstrate scientific capabilities to underpin health security decisions and activity.
Abstract proposals should summarise work and clearly demonstrate the link to UKHSA’s health security priorities. Abstract selection will consider the fit of the abstract to the themes and topics around which the conference is structured, as well as the scientific quality and impact (in terms of strategy, policy or otherwise) of the activity. Early Career Researchers (ECRs) are particularly encouraged to submit! If you are within eight years of a PhD or new to the field, we welcome your submissions. First authors of selected abstracts will be invited to present at the conference in a variety of formats. Your work could be chosen for an oral presentation, an interactive ePoster, or as part of a stimulating discussion or masterclass. The final programme will be confirmed after reviewing all submissions.

We welcome abstract submissions from across UKHSA, local government, the NHS, public health charities, academia, policymakers, and industry.
Successful abstracts will:
Communicate and explain the subject clearly to a reader not necessarily working in the same field. Demonstrate robust scientific methods or analytical merit and rigour appropriate for the subject. Offer clear evidence of advancement of health security practice, policy or guidance (not just describe the activities of a team or similar) Demonstrate the application of innovative approaches or methods and/or new learning 

Prizes and awards
Exceptional abstracts chosen for the conference programme across each theme and from Early Career Researchers will be eligible for prizes. More information to follow!  
 Abstracts can only be submitted online. The deadline is 23:59 on Tuesday 24 September