The UK Pandemic Sciences Network (UKPSN) brings together the UK’s leading universities and pandemic science research teams to support the delivery of the 100 days mission and improve pandemic preparedness both in the UK and globally.
The ultimate purpose of the network is to help protect people and society from epidemic and pandemic infectious diseases through scientific discovery and innovation.
This year’s meeting is being hosted by MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, and we look forward to welcoming everyone for day a packed full of discussion on preparedness, surveillance, new technologies, response, communications, priorities and intelligence sharing.
register now
Secure your place at the UK Pandemic Sciences Network Conference 2025 now.
General Admission: £100
Student Admission: £50
Meet our chairs
The chair position of the UKPSN is currently held by Prof Emma Thomson at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, and Prof Kenneth Baillie at the Baillie Gifford Pandemic Science Hub, University of Edinburgh.
Learn more about the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research
Established in 2010 as a partnership between the Medical Research Council and University of Glasgow, the CVR’s mission is to improve global health and preparedness to viral threats by carrying out research on human viral diseases, and on viruses at the human–animal interface. Through our world-class science, our state-of-the-art advanced technologies and our ethos for team science, collaboration and engagement, we have created a major centre of excellence that is an asset for the UK’s research community and strategy for preparedness and response to viral threats.
The CVR’s innovative ‘molecules to populations’ approach is underpinned by a powerful combination of infrastructure, technical platforms and dedicated expertise. Building on the CVR’s research response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have developed substantial infrastructure that can be rapidly tailored to outbreak response as well as deliver enhanced surveillance projects and develop data linkage processes, techniques, and tools for viruses with pandemic potential. Coupled with strong partnerships across health, industry and global south, our research directly impacts public health responses, therapeutic development pathways and global capacity building for preparedness.
Agenda
| 09:00-09:30 | Arrival, registration, coffee |
| 09:30-09:40 | Introduction and welcome UKPSN Chairs – Professor Emma Thomson and Professor Kenneth Baillie |
| 09:40-09:50 | Pandemic preparedness and the Scottish Centre for Pandemic Preparedness Professor Sir Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland |
| 09:50-10:05 | Cross government work from UK government research funders on the R&D framework for pandemic preparedness Dr Mary da Silva, Department of Health and Social Care |
| 10:05-10:20 | From response to prediction, is it possible? Professor Marion Koopmans, Keynote speaker, Erasmus University Medical Centre |
| 10:20-10:35 | Working in consortia to address risks from pandemic respiratory viruses Professor Wendy Barclay, Keynote speaker, Imperial College London |
| 10:35-11:05 | Break |
| 11:05-11:20 | World Health Organisation’s “Influenza programme” Dr Janet Diaz, Keynote speaker, World Health Organization |
| 11:20-11:30 | Communicating New and Emerging Technologies: Connecting with Hearts and Minds Dr Josephine Adekola, Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow |
| 11:30-11:45 | Virology + AI: using protein structure prediction to accelerate discovery and preparedness Dr Joe Grove, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research |
| 11:45-11:55 | Discovering the Undetectable with TWIST Maria Fernanda Rodríguez Tornos, TWIST Biosciences |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lunch at Glasgow University Union |
| 13:00-13:15 | Genomics and AI in causal inference Professor Kenneth Baillie, Keynote speaker, Baillie Gifford Pandemic Science Hub, University of Edinburgh |
| 13:15- 13:30 | Novel Interventions to Combat Arboviruses Professor Steven Sinkins, Keynote speaker, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research |
| 13:30-15:00 | Facilitated discussion: New technologies and pandemic preparedness Professor Deborah Williamson, University of St Andrews |
| 15:00-15:30 | Break |
| 15:30-17:00 | Updates from the UK Pandemic Sciences Network partners |
| 17:00 | End of public event |
| 17:00-18:00 | Optional Historic Tour of University of Glasgow Gilmorehill Campus |
| 17:00-18:00 | Internal meeting (only UKPSN member institutions): Scoping exercise & new charter (Professor Kenneth Baillie) |
| 18:00 | Wine Reception and Canapés at Hunterian Galleries |
| 18:00 | Dinner and Ceilidh at Glasgow University Union |
Submit your research
We will display a small collection of academic posters surrounding pandemic preparedness at this event. Submit your poster abstract to be assessed by our panel by clicking the link below.
The deadline has now closed.
Sponsorship
Thank you to our sponsors.
We are grateful to the following sponsors for their support of the UK Pandemic Sciences Network Meeting.
Platinum sponsor:
Gold sponsors:
Our sponsors have provided sponsorship in support of this event but had no influence on the content presented.
Accommodation in glasgow
There is a variety of great accommodation options nearby our venue (G12 8NN). Visit the following links to find some options for your stay.
People Make Glasgow: hotels and accommodation
