The NIHR Innovation Observatory is proud to present the annual Futures, Foresight & Horizon Scanning Conference, taking place on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th November 2025.
Mark your calendars and get ready to embark on a journey into the future at The Catalyst, Science Square, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 5TG.
This year’s conference is shaped by the central theme of Equity, Ethics and Inclusivity — a call to action for more responsible, transparent, and equitable approaches to shaping the future of health and care. As we face rapid technological advancements, shifting societal needs, and increasingly complex health challenges, we must ensure that innovation works for everyone, not just the few. Across all discussions and sessions, we will be exploring how equity, ethics, and inclusivity is embedded into foresight, research, and decision-making practices from the outset. Through this lens, we will explore the following key sub-themes :
What to look forward to:
Please note you will need to set up an Oxford Abstract account to register for the conference
Registrations Open
23rd June 2025
Call for papers OPEN
23rd June 2025
Abstract submissions CLOSE
19th September 2025
Notification of acceptance for selected abstracts
30th September 2025
Full programme to be announced
October 2025