APHA Science in Partnership Conference Outline Programme

Overview

The APHA Science in Partnership Conference brings together experts from across government, academia and industry to share the latest science and innovation supporting animal, plant and public health.  

The conference is structured around themed sessions, panel discussions and networking opportunities.  

Day 1: Tuesday 3 November 2026 

Registration and networking 

• 11:00 to 12:00 – Arrival, registration and exhibition 

• 12:00 to 12:45 – Lunch  

Conference sessions

• 12:45 to 13:00 – Welcome and opening address 

• 13:00 to 13:45 – Opening presentation (speaker to be confirmed) 

Session 1: One Health 

Chair: Francesca Martelli (APHA) 
13:45 to 15:15  

• Human health – UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) 

• Environmental health – Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) 

• Animal health – Coronavirus in bats (APHA) 

• Question and answer session 

• Poster pitches 

15:15 to 15:45 – Refreshment break and exhibition 

Session 2: Data and artificial intelligence

Chair:Rachelle Avigad (APHA) 
15:45 to 17:15  

• Whole genome sequencing (APHA) 

• Artificial intelligence, machine learning and large language models in plant and animal health (University of Strathclyde) 

• Additional speaker (to be confirmed) 

• Panel discussion and Q&A 

• Poster pitches 

17:15 to 17:30 – Closing remarks and networking 

Evening event 

19:00 – Conference dinner at the Milner Hotel, York 

Day 2: Wednesday 4 November 2026 

Morning sessions  

09:00 to 09:10– Welcome and introduction 

Session 3: Climate change and exotic disease threats 

Chairs:Paul Beales and Kelvin Hughes (APHA) 
09:10 to 10:40  

• Xylella fastidiosa – FERA 

• Climate change (speaker to be confirmed) 

• Vector-borne exotic animal diseases – The Pirbright Institute 

• Question and answer session 

• Poster pitches 

10:40 to 11:00 – Refreshment break and exhibition

Session 4: Satellite sessions

11:00 to 12:00  

Parallel panel discussions:  

Biosecurity  

• Chair and panel members to be confirmed 

Science to policy  

• Chair: Stefan Craus, Veterinary Head of TB Policy (APHA) 

• Panel members to be confirmed 

Sustaining capability  

• Chair: Muna Anjum 

• Panel members include: National Physical Laboratory, APHA Vet Futures, STEM Futures, additional members to be confirmed 

12:00 to 13:00 – Lunch and exhibition 

Session 5: Innovation

Chair: John McGiven (APHA) 
13:00 to 14:30  

• Government Office for Technology Transfer 

• FERA Science 

• Question and answer session 

• Lightning innovation talks (speakers to be confirmed) 

14:30 to 15:00 – Conference close and networking 

Additional information

• A number of speakers, presentation titles and panel members will be confirmed closer to the event. 

• A sponsor exhibition and scientific poster presentations will take place throughout the conference during breaks.