Across two days, researchers shared innovative work spanning subjects from education and conservation to cyber security and cancer detection, alongside keynote talks and workshops
Date: 11 August 2026
London Metropolitan University’s seventh Student and Staff Research Conference brought the university community together to explore the theme, ‘How does your research make a difference?’.
The question encouraged staff and students to reflect on how their research brings about meaningful change, aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and contributes to specialist knowledge.
This year’s conference opened with words from the Academic Head of Research Professor Duncan Stewart, and included a keynote lecture from former editor-in-chief of the Guardian and Pulitzer Prize winner Alan Rusbridger. His lecture explored the survival of facts in an ‘age of information chaos’ which was followed by a thought-provoking Q&A.
The first day included an address from Vice-Chancellor Professor Julie Hall and saw student and staff papers on issues including education, conservation, politics, crime, and finance.
Researchers explored responses to key problems faced by the public sector, commercial businesses, and the construction industry — sharing new ways of thinking on a range of topics, from grief to 3D printed weapons.
The second day was opened by Maeva Khachfe, Director of Research, Knowledge Exchange & Enterprise Operations, who emphasised the growth of London Met’s postgraduate research culture in recent years.
This was followed by an engaging and informative keynote lecture by Professor Una Fairbrother, Deputy Dean for Academic Staff Development. She spoke about the misconceptions surrounding obesity and type 2 diabetes. The rest of the conference featured strong papers on developments in genomics, education, neurodivergence, cyber security, machine learning, and cancer detection.
Dr Diane Smith, Research and Knowledge Exchange Impact Manager, led a vital workshop on impact planning for postgraduate research. The workshop explored how to equip students with the tools to assess how their research will make a difference and how they can track and evidence impact.
An award ceremony ensued, with thank you notes to technicians and student volunteers, as well as the award of four prizes:
- Best Lightning Talk: Abi Snasdell
- Best Poster: Gulnar Hasanova
- Best 15-minute Presentation (Day One): Stephanie Helland
- Best 15-minute Presentation (Day Two): Denise Murdoch
The last talk was a valedictory lecture by Professor Klaus Fischer, Head of the Graduate School, on his academic journey, followed by a moving thanks from the postgraduate research community.
The conference was organised by the Research and Postgraduate Office, the Graduate School and the Research Student and Staff Liaison Forum, which is chaired by Dr Eirini Meimaridou.
View recordings of both days, plus lightning talk posters, in the online programme.
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