Salford Postgraduate Annual Research Conference registration open for 2026
The University of Salford’s flagship postgraduate event returns for its 25th year on Tuesday 23 June to Wednesday 24 June 2026. Colleagues, students and members of the public are invited to come along and join the two-day programme celebrating postgraduate research.
Salford Postgraduate Annual Research Conference (SPARC) is an annual conference that celebrates and showcases the research of the University’s postgraduate community, combining both in-person and online elements. It offers a space for postgraduate researchers (PGRs) from all disciplines to exchange ideas and provides an opportunity for attendees to learn about research across a range of subject fields.
Held at both the Chapman Building on Peel Park Campus and online over Teams, SPARC 2026 will welcome two keynote speakers along with a record-breaking 150 PGRs presenting their research.
Dr Rachel Woolley, Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Salford, said: “This year is especially exciting as we celebrate 25 years of bringing our research community together through SPARC. It’s been incredible to see how far we’ve come, particularly watching our postgraduate researchers grow in confidence and develop into inspiring presenters year after year.
“SPARC provides a welcoming and supportive space for postgraduate researchers to showcase the rich and diverse work taking place across the University. As well as celebrating the impactful research, it’s also about the strong sense of community and the meaningful alliances that develop along the way.”
The event will also host the final of the University’s Three Minute Thesis, which challenges doctoral candidates to present a compelling presentation on their research topic in under three minutes.
Rachel added: “The event is free and open to all, with sessions designed for a non‑specialist audience, so anyone can come along and learn more about the incredible work being carried out by our postgraduate researchers.”
For those feeling inspired to take their own postgraduate research journey, Salford’s team will also be on hand to offer guidance and advice on how to get started. Food and refreshments will be provided for guests at the in-person event.
Dr Jajati Mandal, University Fellow at the University of Salford, said: “My first SPARC was online in 2021, in the middle of the pandemic. Despite the virtual format, the sense of community and support came through clearly. I've been to every SPARC since, and now I get to experience it from the staff side too. Each year I leave with new ideas, new connections, and renewed enthusiasm for my work. Come along, present, listen, connect!”
Keynote speakers
With this year’s event marking SPARC’s silver anniversary, it will welcome two inspiring guest speakers who will share their journeys in research and the experiences that shaped them into the pioneers they are today.
The keynote speaker on day one - Tuesday 23 June 2026 at 5pm - will be internationally renowned nanoscientist, Dame Professor Ijoema Uchegbu. Ijoema is Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience at University College London, President of Wolfson College Cambridge, and a governor on the Wellcome Trust board.
As well as producing her ground-breaking findings in the field of pharmaceuticals, Ijoema has presented to the UK House of Commons on the educational racial disparities that lead to a lack of ethnic minority representation in scientific research.
A regular contributor to BBC Radio 4, and BBC World Service, Ijoema has also featured on BBC’s Desert Island Discs.
On day two of SPARC 2026 – Wednesday 24 June 2026 at 10am - the keynote will be the University’s own Professor of Media Policy, Professor Seamus Simpson. He is a past Chair of the International Communication Association Communication Law and Policy Division and was one of the founding editors of the Oxford Research Encyclopaedia of Communication (Oxford University Press).
The internet has a massive effect on all of our lives, and its governance is a constant source of media debate. Seamus will be shedding light on this huge topic with his talk ‘Internet Governance - How did we get here and what does the future look like?’
Three Minute Thesis Final
The Three Minute Thesis is a competition that challenges doctoral candidates to present a compelling spoken presentation on their research topic and its significance in under three minutes.
Winners of the Three Minute Thesis heats will be nominated to represent their schools at the SPARC final on 23 June 2026. The SPARC champion will then be put forward as the University of Salford representative for the prestigious national competition hosted by Vitae.
Details of the conference schedule will be published shortly.
For all press office enquiries please email communications@salford.ac.uk.