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RCN International Nursing Research Conference 2025

Nursing Research: Transforming Global Health in a Changing World

INRC-2025-Image

08 Sep 2025 - 10 Sep

  • The Forum Building - University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4PY
  • CPD hours: 27

Choose event information:



Secure your place for the nursing research event of the year!

Book in-person ticket.

Book virtual ticket. 

(Please read virtual ticket FAQs prior to booking to see what's included. Not available for presenters).

 

 

Nursing Research: Transforming Global Health in a Changing World

Translational research based on best available evidence to improve care is core business for Nurses. This conference will explore the pivotal role of nursing research in addressing pressing health challenges. As global health dynamics evolve due to emerging diseases, climate change, and shifting demographics, this conference will highlight how innovative research can drive equitable, evidence-based care.

Bringing together nursing leaders, researchers, and practitioners, the conference will foster collaboration to advance healthcare solutions, strengthen resilience, and shape the future of global health in an ever-changing landscape.

The 2025 RCN International Nursing Research Conference will also showcase research that demonstrates strong methodological expertise and team working leading to improved clinical and applied health, public, social and community health and/or acute care settings. We will celebrate research that uses innovative designs to facilitate inclusion of all stakeholders.

Whilst the annual RCN International Nursing Research Conference focuses on celebrating nursing research, we are keen to welcome all health and social care professionals.

The programme will also showcase:

  • Nursing research from all fields and specialities that aim to improve health and social care outcomes in a range of settings.
  • Research using inclusive methods and that celebrate diversity
  • Embedding of research into nursing roles to apply best evidence, improve clinical practice and enhance impact
  • Inclusive patient and public involvement
  • Trans-disciplinary research and researchers.

The programme is now available.

 

2025 Clinical Research Nursing

We are delighted that following on from the successes of last year, the RCN International Nursing Research Conference 2025 will include a day’s programme on day three specifically for Clinical Research Nursing, open to all delegates. This will support learning and celebrate the work of nurses who lead, design and deliver research in clinical settings.

 

Words from the 2025 Conference Chair, Professor Jane Coad

“The RCN Research Forum is delighted to be working alongside the following universities in Southwest England to bring this year’s International Nursing Research Conference to Exeter:

  • Plymouth Marjon University
  • University of Exeter
  • University of Plymouth
  • University of the West of England

We are so looking forward to meeting you in Exeter in 2025 to hear about your transformative research and share the future possibilities for future research. We will have a full and comprehensive programme which will enable opportunities to present, discuss and debate impactful research, but also network with friends – old and new.  We do hope you can join us in September for what promises to be an insightful and informative three days."

 

Please note. All presenters are required to register to attend the conference in person to present.

Target audience

The conference is open to anyone interested in nursing and research. It will be of interest to nurses, and colleagues in related disciplines, involved in the development and use of knowledge that impacts on nursing practice or the context in which nurses’ practice.

#RCNresearch25

For event queries please contact:

rcnevents@rcn.org.uk

+44 (0)20 7647 3578

The Forum Building - University of Exeter
Stocker Road
Exeter
EX4 4PY

Travel information

What3Words to The Forum building: ///herds.data.little

Campus Map: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/visit/directions/streathammap/

By rail

Exeter's two mainline railway stations are Exeter St David's and Exeter Central. Exeter St James is also within walking distance of both campuses. Streatham campus is a 15-minute walk from St David's station, 15-minute walk from St James station and 20 minutes from Exeter Central station. The walking route is signed from St David's' station and the campus map shows the walking route.

Use National Rail Enquiries to plan your route. For passenger information telephone 08457 484950.
As a conference delegate attending this venue, you could be eligible for discounted fares of up to 80% with GWR's conference fares. Conditions apply.

By car

The M4/M5 links Exeter directly to London, the Midlands, South Wales and the North including Scotland.
The average journey time from either London or the Midlands is 3 hours.
Download our Directions to the Streatham Campus.
If you are using satnav, use postcode EX4 4QJ.

Car parking

Car park charges are approximately £10 per day.

Pay and display parking (council operated) is available on Prince of Wales Road and Streatham Drive, both on the Streatham Campus. 

Visitors may only park in car park C. Visitors must have a valid Pay By Phone session or a visitor hanging permit provided by the University. All other parking bays are for permit holders only from 08:00 -18:00.

Please note that parking spaces are limited, especially during term, delegates are encouraged to use public transport where possible.

If you are a blue badge holder, please get in touch with the events team.  

By air

Direct flights operate into Exeter International Airport from Dublin, Belfast and airports in the United Kingdom including Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guernsey, Jersey, Newcastle and Norwich.

Further information is available from Exeter International Airport website.

By bus/coach

The Streatham & St Lukes Campuses are served by Stagecoach line 4 University service . From Monday to Saturday and connects Streatham Campus - Exeter Central railway station - City Centre - Central Bus Station - St Luke's Campus, every 12 minutes.

To discover what to see and do in and around Exeter please visit: www.visitexeter.com/


Travel by rail

Conference delegates who book rail fares directly with GWR to Exeter are eligible for discounts up to 80%. 

The delegate must present proof of conference attendance. A delegate may be asked to provide this proof by the train manager and failure to do so may result in having to pay the difference on a full price anytime ticket. Proof can be in the form of acceptance letter or email to the relevant email.

If the fare is not available check the station you are departing from. It must be a GWR station on the GWR network. Certain stations near to the venue station may not be applicable to receive the Conference fare.

Book now

 

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at The University of Exeter - Streatham campus, in the halls of residence on a bed and breakfast basis. Rooms are ensuite and include a mini fridge and safe. Unfortunately, televisions are not provided. The rooms are located a 500m walk from the conference venue (see map below).

These rooms are priced very competitively at £79.95 B&B per night.

Book via Bed and Breakfast in Exeter | Event Exeter

To redeem the discounted rate please enter PC25 as the promotion code.

Delegates are also welcome to book at alternative accommodation via their preferred platforms.

Map of the walking route from the halls of residence to the conference venue

 


View the full provisional programme.

 

Alternatively the specific programmes below:

 

 


We are delighted to announce the keynote speaker lineup for 2025's conference.

Day 1

Photo of the Ice Maidens in a tent on an expedition

Sophie Montagne
Ice Maiden and motivational speaker

Ice Maidens Sandy Hennis & Sophie Montagne speak of their experiences as part of the first female team to ski across Antarctica using muscle power alone. In 2018 they were two of the six Ice Maidens who covered 1,704km in 2 months, setting three world records. They can present as a pair or individually, and tell their story with honesty, humour and humility, aiming to inspire more than impress.

Ice Maidens Sandy Hennis & Sophie Montagne specialise in speeches about Teamwork and Resilience. The following themes are emphasised within the context of life on the coldest, highest and most inhospitable continent on earth. They share their expertise in teamwork, mental resilience, unity of purpose, embracing conflict, getting to know and knowing how to motivate your team. Their client’s include ank of America Merrill Lynch, AECOM, Airbus, Arup, Trowers & Hamlins, Cannacord and The Institute of Directors.

Ice Maidens Sandy Hennis & Sophie Montagne were part of the first female team to ski coast-to-coast across Antarctica using muscle power alone. The team of six women covered 1,704km, endured temperatures of -56C and arrived 14 days earlier than planned, setting three new world records.
But the Ice Maidens expedition wasn’t about racing or records, it wasn’t about standing at the South Pole or achieving a lifelong dream – it was all about the team. Supporting each other through Antarctic storms, debilitating sickness, exhaustion and the ever-present threat of crevasses, those six women relied 100% upon each other. It wasn’t about just a team, it was about the whole team getting to the finish.

Sandy and Sophie use their experiences in Antarctica to help bring new perspectives to the corporate sector. Combining Sandy’s military expertise with Sophie’s 10 years’ experience in the corporate world, they have analysed each lesson learned on their adventures, making it relevant to everyday lives both at work and at home. They pinpoint current business challenges and offer solutions, presented in the context of their time in Antarctica, on expeditions and on military operations.

 

Day 2

Image of Prof. G.J Melendez-Torres

Prof. G.J Melendez-Torres 
Professor of Clinical and Social Epidemiology, University of Exeter

 

Prof G.J. Melendez-Torres is Professor of Clinical and Social Epidemiology at the University of Exeter, where he also is an NIHR Senior Investigator and holds the cities RISE Research Chair in Public Mental Health. 

A registered nurse, his research focuses on child and adolescent health and intimate partner violence, as well as health technology assessment and its underpinning methods. 

G.J. is Associate Dean for Researcher Inclusion of the NIHR Academy, and Associate Director for Involvement and Engagement of the NIHR School for Public Health Research. He is also an elected fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, of the Academy of Social Sciences, and of the Faculty of Public Health, and an Advance HE National Teaching Fellow.

 

Day 3

Dr Joanne Cooper, Deputy Director of Nursing Research for System Transformation at NHS England

 

Dr. Joanne Cooper

Dr Joanne Cooper is Deputy Director of Nursing Research for System Transformation at NHS England. Joanne is Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham School of Health Sciences.  Within the CNO England Policy and Systems Leadership Team, NHSE, Joanne works in partnership with Professor Alison Richardson leading to implementation of the CNO England Strategic Plan for Research.  Joanne has experience in advancing research in nursing, including clinical academic career development building capacity and capability across health and care systems.  In October 2023, Joanne was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, awarded for her significant contribution to the profession at the interface of practice, policy and research.

Joanne’s clinical background is as a registered nurse, specialising in the care of patients with Gastrointestinal disease, and was awarded her PhD in Nursing in 2009 from the University of Nottingham.  Joanne’s doctoral study comprised a mixed methods study exploring beliefs about personal control and self-management in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and she continues research into long term condition self-management, oesophago-gastric cancer and palliative care and broader health care research informing patient and staff outcomes.

 

Prof. Ruth Endacott, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at NIHR

Prof. Ruth Endacott 
Director of Nursing, NIHR

Professor Ruth Endacott is Director of Nursing and Midwifery at NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research), providing leadership for nurses and midwives who are supporting, delivering or leading research. Ruth is Emeritus Professor at Monash University, Melbourne & Trustee at the Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre (ICNARC).

Panellists:

Anne Armstrong, CNO - Scotland
Duncan Burton, CNO - England
Sue Tranka, CNO - Wales
TBC - Ireland

 

 

 

 

 


Booking links:

Book in-person ticket.

Book virtual ticket.(Please read virtual ticket FAQs prior to booking, to see what's included. Not available for presenters).

 

STRICT DEADLINE FOR BOOKING THE PRESENTER RATE IS FRIDAY 30 JUNE 2025. All presenters must attend the conference in-person.

Please note, presenter bookings after this date will not be eligible for discount and are at risk of withdrawal.

International delegates 

  • All international delegates attending this event are entitled to the RCN member rate.
  • International student nurses (pre-registration only) are also eligible for a 40% discount on the RCN member rate.
  • Refer to discount section for exclusions and conditions*.

 

Member typeConference fees
FeeVATTotal
Member (1 day fee)£245.00£49.00£294.00
Non-member (1 day fee)£316.00£63.20£379.20
Member (2 day fee)£320.00£64.00£384.00
Non-member (2 day fee)£413.00£82.60£495.60
Member (3 day fee)£395.00£79.00£474.00
Non- member (3 day fee)£510.00£102.00£612.00
Virtual ticket(member and non-member)£125.00£25.00£150.00
Discounted rates
Member: Pre-reg student, Retired, health practitioner (1 day / 40% discount)£75.00£15.00£90.00
Member: Pre-reg student, Retired, health practitioner (2 day / 40% discount)£150.00£30.00£180.00
Member: Pre-reg student, Retired, health practitioner (3 day / 40% discount)£225.00£45.00£270.00
Member: RCN representatives, forum steering committee (1 day / 25% discount)N/AN/AN/A
Member: RCN representatives, forum steering committee (2 day / 25% discount)N/AN/AN/A
Member: RCN representatives, forum steering committee (3 day / 25% discount)£296.25£59.25£355.50
Conditions and exclusions
1. Discounts apply to conference fees only and are not available on the presenter rate.
2. 10% group discount is applicable on 3 or more conference places and will only be applied to places where the maximum number of conference days have been booked ie. three day attendance.
3. Discount offers cannot be combined. Only one discount can be used for each booking whether it is an individual or group booking.
4. Member: Pre-reg student, retired, health practitioner (40% discount) – this discount is strictly for RCN members Only students that are enrolled in a pre-registration nursing programme will qualify for a 40% discount.The 40% discount is not available to post graduate students.
5. The RCN representative 25% discount is only available on the maximum number of conference days that can be booked
6. Maximum of 2 presenter rate places for any concurrent, poster and ViPER
7. 1 presenter rate per paper for any symposia – up to a maximum of 5 papers
8. Sharing of a multi-day conference pass between two or more delegates is not permitted. Only delegates that have registered their details through the RCN’s events registration system will be granted access.
9. The international delegate rate applies only to individuals that are living and travelling from outside of the UK.
10. Virtual tickets are not available for presenters
Please note: discounts cannot be accumulated or redeemed when booking online. Please contact RCN Events Registration to book a discounted place.
   

Catering during the conference programme and conference materials are provided within the conference fee. Travel, accommodation and catering outside of the conference programme are not included in the conference fee.

To make a booking

Online bookings are the easiest and fastest way to book 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Bookings can also be made by phone with payment by credit card/Maestro, by calling +44 (0) 2920 546460. Lines are open from 9.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.


Invoice payment

To pay by invoice you must send all of the below to rcndeventsregistration@rcn.org.uk 

  1. A copy of the official Purchase Order document from your organisation or company, addressed to supplier: Royal College of Nursing, 20 Cavendish Square, London. W1G 0RN. We are unable to process your order without it, requisition orders are not accepted. 
  2. Your Finance department/accounts payable contact email address to receive an electronic copy of the invoice from us.
  3. A completed RCN Events Booking Form for each delegate in the booking

Important - Please don’t send us booking forms without pdf copies of POs or vice versa, we will not be able to complete your booking.

Once the invoice has been raised, you will then receive confirmation of your delegate booking on the event requested. Invoices are to be paid within 30 days of the invoice being issued.
We always endeavour to process your booking as quickly as possible, however, this process can sometimes take up to 10 working days. 

So that we can process your booking quickly, please send all the booking forms and the Purchase Order to us together on the same email.

Group bookings - please send all the completed booking forms and the Purchase Order to us, together on the same email.

 


This year we shall be piloting virtual tickets for delegates (unavailable for presenters) who may not be able to attend in-person due to budget pressures or unable to take time off work / personal duties. 

Virtual Ticket FAQs

What content will be live-streamed or recorded?
All sessions taking place in the main auditorium will be available online. This includes all plenary sessions—featuring four keynote speakers, the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) panel discussion, and the best abstract presentations—as well concurrent coverage that is featured in the main auditorium. Only streams that end in .1 (eg. 1.1, 2.1, 3.1)
👉View the provisional virtual programme

How can I participate online?
If you're watching live, you’ll be able to join Q&A sessions (please note that not all questions may be answered) and engage with other online attendees via the conference chat toolbar for networking opportunities.

Can I present virtually if I’m a speaker?
No. As stated in the conference terms and conditions, all presenters must attend in person. Abstracts will be withdrawn if the presenter is not present onsite.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes, a self-learning CPD accredited certificate will be available to download. Up to 15 hours CPD

How long will the recorded content be available?
All recorded content will be available for 6 months via the Zoom Events platform.

Unfortunately, the following countries/regions are unable to access Zoom Events.

Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Ukraine (Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk regions). 

How much does a virtual ticket cost?
£125 + VAT for both RCN members and non-members.

Book your virtual ticket

 

Will the recorded content be available for in-person delegates/presenters?

As a bonus, delegates who book to attend all three days in-person will be granted access to the recordings post-event. Book in-person ticket.


All presenters must be booked on by 30 June otherwise your abstract is at risk of withdrawal.

Important. Presenter rate is only available until 30 June, there after standard fees will apply. 

 

You can login into your Exordo dashboard to view reviewer comments, make edits to your abstract submission and upload your presentation.

 

Programme slot

Alterations may be made to the programme affecting the time of sessions prior to the conference. To keep up-to-date with any developments affecting the conference programme, we suggest checking the conference website regularly.

 

Presenter Guidance

• Concurrent oral (25 minutes)

Concurrent papers are presented orally. Concurrent sessions are 25 minutes in duration. Each presenter is allocated a maximum of 20 minutes to speak followed by 5 minutes for questions and discussion.

Download oral presenter guidance.

• Symposia (60 – 90 minutes)

A symposium is an oral presentation of between three and five papers with a shared focus. The duration of a symposium is normally 60 or 90 minutes depending on the number of papers. 

Download symposium guidance.

• Posters (one day)

Exhibited on one day of the conference, posters are visual displays of material. Poster displays reach a wide audience and are suited to the presentation of factual data, such as project design or findings. Posters should be visually stimulating in design and convey clear aims and outcomes. Poster presenters participate in a facilitated, interactive poster tour during the lunch break, providing an excellent opportunity to interact with delegates.

Download poster presenter guidance.

• ViPER (25 minutes) 

A ViPER is an evaluation of Visual Presentation with Expert Review.  This method involves a short oral presentation of a poster with no more than 3 presentation slides, followed by expert commentary and facilitated group discussion and debate. ViPERs support audience interactivity and provide an increased opportunity for active engagement in discussion.

Download ViPER presenter guidance.

• Flash talk 

Flash talks are strictly timed 5-minute presentations delivered in main plenary session (i.e. to whole conference) and provide the opportunity for your findings to reach a large number of delegates but in a concise form. Following fellow flash talk presentations there will the opportunity for a 10 minute Q&A.

Download flash talk presenter guidance.

 

If you have any queries which aren’t answered by the above guidelines please contact research@rcn.org.uk 

 

Terms and conditions

Prior to preparing and delivering your presentation, we strongly advise that you read the RCN’s conference terms and conditions.   




Is this conference for me? 

Attending this conference provides a quality assured opportunity to improve nursing practice, learn, network, and discuss and debate the challenges facing the future nursing workforce. 

It will be of particular interest to all current and aspiring nurses, and colleagues in related disciplines, involved in the development and use of knowledge that impacts on nursing practice or the context in which nurses’ practice.

You can attend this conference as a presenting or as a non-presenting delegate. The conference provides the opportunity to:

  • Hear how research is addressing contemporary nursing issues from inspirational keynote speakers 
  • Share and learn about cutting edge innovation in research methods, policy and management 
  • Showcase your research and your employer on an international stage 
  • Engage in supportive and constructive critical debate 
  • Discuss and debate the impact of research on health and social care policy and nursing practice 
  • Consider how you can use research findings to inform yours and colleagues’ nursing practice
  • Network with like-minded colleagues – from those starting out in their careers through to distinguished keynote speakers 
  • Build new alliances and make new contacts 
  • Judge poster presentations – every vote counts
  • Participate in a lively social programme 
  • Evaluate the event and contribute to future conference developments 
  • Accrue up to 27 hours of continuing professional development - for UK nurses CPD counts towards your revalidation.

Delegates can be confident that papers are reviewed with rigour and the programme is designed to create a high-quality forum in which to reflect on work, participate in networking events and discuss innovation in research. 

Need a helping hand with securing time off or funding to attend? Please download these helpful hints and tips. Along with a template letter, to aid justification of attendance to your employer.




Profile photo of Aasia Rajpoot

2025 Early Career Researcher Opportunity

Delighted to announce Aasia Rajpoot, Full time PhD Student (2nd year) at Oxford Brookes University will be joining the Scientific Planning Committee and attending the conference as part of this years Early Career Researcher opportunity. Congratulations to Aasia for her strong and passionate application.

 

Early career research testimonial 

“I was just entering the final year of my PhD when I decided to apply for the early career researcher (ECR) position on the Scientific Committee for the 2022 RCN International Nursing Research Conference. I was delighted to be accepted and invited to join the committee meeting online, before attending the conference in Cardiff.

I was nervous about meeting everyone online for the first time but was made to feel enormously welcome by the committee. The meeting consisted primarily of reviewing abstracts and agreeing decisions about the structure of the conference. The committee were very supportive throughout, and I left feeling that my contribution was valued.

The two days in Cardiff were a great opportunity to learn about how everything works behind-the-scenes at an academic conference, and I was glad to get the opportunity to chair a session and to host the ECR networking event. Despite these responsibilities, I still had plenty of time to present my own research and attend several interesting and inspiring presentations. Being the ECR representative meant that over the two days I was able to meet many other ECRs and I learned a great deal about what my peers at other universities are doing.

I’ve always enjoyed the RCN research conference, but this year I got so much more from it simply because I applied for this position. For any ECR who wants to learn about how conferences work, this is a great way to do it as part of a fantastically welcoming and supportive team. Make sure you apply!”

Chris McParland, 2022 Early Career Researcher




The RCN Research Forum is delighted to be working alongside our main sponsors to bring this year’s International Nursing Research Conference to Exeter. Our thanks go to Plymouth Marjon University, University of Exeter, University of Plymouth and University of the West of England for their generous support.

Plymouth Marjon University Colour Logo            University of Exeter CrestUniversity of Plymouth Colour Logo          UWE Bristol Logo


This conference and exhibition is an unrivalled opportunity for you to connect directly with nurse researchers and clinical research nurses from across the UK, working at a range of levels, in the universities, NHS, public or independent and voluntary sectors.

There are a number of ways you can get involved, from networking to raise your profile to tailored commercial packages to help achieve specific objectives. Please contact the exhibitions team on +44 (0)20 7647 3959 or email exhibitions@rcn.org.uk.


If you have any queries regarding the conference or call for abstract process, please contact the Events Team via:

Email: Research@rcn.org.uk

Tel: +44 (0)2076473577

 

If your query relates to a booking please contact the Registration Team directly:

Email:  eventsreg@rcn.org.uk

Tel: +44 (0)29 2054 6460


Page last updated - 24/07/2025

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