Each year, the Early Career (EC) Forum hosts its flagship Summer Conference dedicated to showcasing early career research from across microbiology. It serves as an ideal career development and networking opportunity for early career members. As a peer-led conference, it is designed to offer an introductory and friendly atmosphere to scientific conferences and professional development opportunities.
Alongside presented scientific research, delegates have the opportunity to experience professional development sessions focused on preparing you for the next steps in your career, and networking sessions to meet other microbiologists at your career level as well as interact with invited speakers who are more established in their careers.
All people who identify as an early career researcher including Undergraduate, Masters and PhD students, as well as postdoctoral researchers are welcome to attend.
Preparation is now well underway for this year’s Early Career (EC) Forum Summer Conference (#ECConf26), which will be held at The Exchange, University of Birmingham on 6th and 7th of July. This year, there is no theme, we are embracing early career research from all areas of microbiology from across the four divisions of the Society.
Details about an informal social on the evening of 6th July will be available in the coming months. The Society ensures that venues acquired for its events adhere to most accessibility requirements.
Organising committee:
Rebecca McHugh- University of Glasgow
Kasia Parfitt- University of Oxford
David Mark- University of Glasgow
Aoife Mulry- Technological University of the Shannon
Natalie Lamont- Sunderland University
A detailed programme of the event will be made available in the coming months.
Due to a change in how delegate event registrations are managed, online registration and payment will be temporarily unavailable from 13–27 January 2026.
Registration fees
|
Tier |
Rate |
|
EC Forum Member |
£100 |
|
Microbiology Society Member |
£113 |
|
Non-member |
£140 |
Members of the EC Forum are eligible for subsidised registration fees for the EC Forum Summer Conference. Join now to enjoy these discounts and many other opportunities that are designed for microbiologists at all stages of their career.
What's included in your registration fee?
An introductory experience of scientific conferences in a peer-led environment.
Scientific sessions discussing the latest research from EC Forum members.
Full access to scientific poster sessions.
Professional development sessions tailored to those in the early stages of their microbiology careers.
Buffet lunch.
Tea and coffee breaks.
Access to CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points.
Certificate of attendance (available after the conference upon request)
Registration confirmation
Upon registration, you should receive an automated confirmation email. Please contact [email protected] if, after 24 hours, this has not been received.
Cancellations
Refunds are not provided, however substitutions of attendees can be made at any time before the event by contacting [email protected].
Abstracts
We are now taking abstract submissions for the 2026 Early Career Summer Conference. If you experience any problems during the abstract submission process, please contact [email protected].
Submit Abstracts
Grants
Grant applications for this event will open on 1 May and close on 15 May, 23:59 GMT. For more information about grants available to delegates, please follow this link.
CPD
We are in the process of applying for CPD accreditation for the event and will update this once it has been approved.The meeting will take place at The Exchange, University of Birmingham
3 Centenary Square
Birmingham
B1 2DR
Travel
Detailed directions from to The Exchange are available on the venue’s website.
Accessibility
For venue accessibility specifics, please follow this link. If you have any questions regarding accessibility for this event, please email [email protected].
To register your interest in either sponsoring or exhibiting at this event, please email [email protected].
Mi Society is not accessible until 28 January for scheduled maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.