Anaesthesia Research 2026
Join us in Southampton in November, as we bring together many organising groups to highlight anaesthetic research from the past year.
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**NEW TO 2026** Anaesthesia Research Dinner |
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An evening dinner, providing the perfect opportunity for networking, at a venue close to the conference. You will have the option to add the dinner to your booking on the registration page. |
Anaesthesia Research Meeting 2026 – Advancing Science, Transforming Care
We are excited to welcome you to the Anaesthesia Research Meeting 2026, a premier event showcasing the latest in anaesthesia and perioperative research.
Plenary Highlight:
Professor Duminda Wijeysundera, St. Michael’s Hospital - Unity Health Toronto and the University of Toronto.
Programme Highlights:
Coming soon!
Whether you're a researcher, clinician, or trainee, this is your opportunity to engage with the future of anaesthesia.
Let’s shape tomorrow’s practice through today’s research.
Event Feedback from Anaesthesia 2025:
- 'Excellent meeting! Great presentations and good to catch up with everyone'
- 'A must for those interested in perioperative research
- 'Diverse, high quality and inspiring talks with good networking opportunities'
- 'Great exposure to a range of studies and a great chance to chat to those in the field'
| 09:00-09:50 | REGISTRATION & REFRESHMENTS | |
| 09:50-10:00 | Welcome and introduction | speaker tbc |
| Session 1: Association of Anaesthetists & Anaesthesia | CHAIR: Dr Matt Wiles | ||
| 10:00-10:15 | Ethical aspects of critical care research | Dr Harleen Kaur |
| 10:15-10:30 | Pain | Dr Angeline Lee |
| 10:30-10:50 | Analysis of AI use in journal submissions | Dr Jason Mann |
| 10:50-11:00 | Q&A | |
| Session 2: Research & Audit Federation of Trainees (RAFT) | ||
| 11:00-11:15 | RAFT 5 SECURE: Service Evaluation of Cross-specialty UK Rapid Sequence Intubation Events | Dr Swati Gupta & Dr Thomas Baumer |
| 11:15-11:30 | TXAIMS: Tranexamic Acid In Major Surgery | Dr Louis Murphy |
| 11:30-11:40 | Q&A | |
| 11:40-12:10 | BREAK & NETWORKING | |
| Session 3: Royal College of Anaesthetists Centre for Research and Improvement (RCoA CR&I) | ||
| 12:10-12:30 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 12:30-12:50 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 12:50-13:10 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 13:10-13:20 | Q&A | |
| 13:20-14:05 | LUNCH | |
| 14:05-14:35 | Plenary Speaker | speaker tbc |
| Session 4: Anaesthesia Research Society (ARS) - Abstract Competition | ||
| 14:35-14:50 | abstract presentation 1 | speaker tbc |
| 14:50-15:05 | abstract presentation 2 | speaker tbc |
| 15:05-15:20 | abstract presentation 3 | speaker tbc |
| 15:20-15:35 | abstract presentation 4 | speaker tbc |
| 15:35-15:50 | abstract presentation 5 | speaker tbc |
| 15:50-16:05 | abstract presentation 6 | speaker tbc |
| 16:05-16:30 | BREAK & NETWORKING | |
| Session 5: | ||
| 16:30-16:40 | Introduction | speaker tbc |
| 16:40-17:00 | BOC winner | speaker tbc |
| 17:00-17:20 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 17:20-17:40 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 17:40-18:00 | Q&A | |
| 18:00 | End of Day Remarks & CLOSE | |
| 18:00-19:00 | DRINKS RECEPTION | |
*Please note that this programme may be subject to change.
| 08:00-09:00 |
ARS Research Breakfast Informal session for high scoring ARS abstract submissions to be heard and discussed amongst peers and ARS Committee |
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| 08:00-09:00 | REGISTRATION & REFRESHMENTS | |
| 09:00-09:05 | Day 2 Opening Remarks | speaker tbc |
| Session 6: NIAA Research Award Session | ||
| 09:05-09:10 | NIAA Research Award Session introduction | speaker tbc |
| 09:10-09:30 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 09:30-09:50 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 09:50-10:10 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 10:10-10:40 | BREAK & NETWORKING | |
| Session 7: Breaking Trials | ||
| 10:40-11:10 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 11:10-11:20 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 11:20-11:30 | Q&A | |
| 11:30-12:00 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 12:00-12:10 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 12:10-12:20 | Q&A | |
| 12:20-13:20 | LUNCH | |
| Session 8: Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) | ||
| 13:20-13:40 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 13:40-14:00 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 14:00-14:20 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 14:20-14:40 | Q&A | |
| 14:40-15:05 | BREAK & NETWORKING | |
| Session 9: RCoA Centre for Research and Improvement (RCoA CR&I) | ||
| 15:05-15:20 | PERIOX | speaker tbc |
| 15:20-15:35 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 15:35-15:50 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 15:50-16:05 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 16:05-16:20 | title tbc | speaker tbc |
| 16:20-16:45 |
Plenary Speaker: 'Why Are So Many Perioperative Trials Neutral? Lessons for the Next Generation of Clinical Research' |
Prof Duminda Wijeysundera |
| 16:45-16:50 | Q&A | |
| 16:50-17:00 | Award presentations and Closing Remarks | speaker tbc |
| 17:00 | End of Conference | |
*Please note that this programme may be subject to change.
Pricing
| One day only | Two days only | |
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Category 1:
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£190 |
£320 |
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Category 2:
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£95 |
£160 |
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Category 3:
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£50 |
£80 |
| NON-MEMBER (anaesthetist) |
£240 |
£400 |
Pricing Terms and Conditions
Payment must be made at the time of booking unless otherwise stated. The RCoA, FICM and FPM are unable to hold places on events without payment. Credit or debit card payments must be made online via our card payment handler Stripe, or by phone. We do not accept purchase orders or raise invoices for places on our events.
Discounts are available for some membership types at the rates stated above. You must be eligible for the discount both at the time of the booking and at the time of the event itself. We may ask for proof of your member status at any point. If you are unable to prove your entitlement to the discount we may charge you the full event rate, or invite you to update your membership status accordingly. In such a situation we may withhold access to the event until your updated payment clears, or your new membership status is confirmed.
Speakers
Dr Duminda Wijeysundera is Professor, Staff Anesthesiologist, and the Elizabeth A. and Richard J. Currie, O.C. Chair in Translational Anesthesia Research at St. Michael’s Hospital - Unity Health Toronto and the University of Toronto. He is an internationally recognised leader in perioperative medicine, with research focused on improving the prediction, prevention, and treatment of adverse outcomes after surgery, including major complications and disability.
He has published more than 420 peer-reviewed articles, supported by funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, PSI Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Anesthesia Research Foundation, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and the Government of Ontario.
His contributions have been recognised through election as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (2025) and as a Member of the College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada (2022). He serves on the Board of Directors of the International Anaesthesia Research Society, is an Associate Editor at Anesthesiology, and sits on the Editorial Boards of the Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia and Circulation.
NIAA Research Award
**NOW OPEN**
The NIAA is pleased to re-open our Research Award for researchers/investigators that have completed a 'body of work', which will be open for applications until Friday 9 October 2026.
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of judges convened by the NIAA, and should be submitted as a summary of the applicant's research project/'body of work'. The judges will select a shortlist of applicants who will be invited to deliver a 10-minute presentation of their work in Southampton as part of the Anaesthesia Research 2026 conference.
- Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend the NIAA Research Award presentation session of Anaesthesia Research 2026 in Southampton on 27 November 2026.
- The overall winner will be selected by the judges and announced at the end of Day 2 of Anaesthesia Research on 27 November 2026.
The NIAA Research Award aims to promote and encourage current and active researchers within the field of anaesthesia, perioperative medicine or pain research in the UK.
- It will be awarded to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in scientific research relevant to anaesthesia, perioperative care or pain.
- The award will allow new investigators to achieve recognition through presentation at a national meeting with peer-review.
- The award winner will be decided and presented at Anaesthesia Research 2026 in Southampton on Friday 27 November 2026. Applicants should ensure they are available to attend Anaesthesia Research in Southampton on this date, in the event of being shortlisted.
- This award is open to all investigators of anaesthesia, perioperative or pain research within the UK who are members of one of the NIAA's founding partners or funding partners. This includes consultants or equivalent, trainees and early career researchers.
- The applicant will have completed a 'body of work' that may have been presented at an equivalent scientific national or international meeting or published as an abstract or full paper in a peer-reviewed journal.
- A 'body of work' will include a project that covers a clear, evidence-based research question, appropriate methods, well-conducted study/studies and statistical analysis of results drawing to a valid conclusion. A 'body of work' would typically be the equivalent to two or more research papers on one subject area or from a higher degree thesis (MD/PhD).
We ask applicants to complete and submit a brief application form as part of their abstract. Please download the form below.
NIAA Research Award Submission Form
Applicants are invited to submit a summary of their 'body of work', this should be fully referenced and state the author's contribution. The summary should fit two A4 sheets with 12 point font, 2.5 cm margins and single line spacing; it should be formatted as follows:
- Abstract title
- All authors' initials and last names (please remember the lead author/applicant should be a member of an NIAA partner organisation)
- The name of the Institution where the majority of the work was carried out
- The text of the abstract should not contain headings, but should follow the general progression through background, methods, results, conclusions
- Use a blank line to separate paragraphs
- Two tables or figures are permitted, and which should be incorporated into the document
- If a figure is used, ensure that a figure caption is provided within the abstract document. The figure will be reduced in printing; please do not use any font in the figure smaller than your text font
- References are listed and cited as specified by the British Journal of Anaesthesia, except that you do not need to provide the titles of papers
- There is no restriction on the number of references cited but they are included in the page limit.
- Please acknowledge any source of funding for your study at the end of the abstract
- Deadline for applications is 5pm, Friday 9 October 2026
Work may have been and can subsequently be presented or published elsewhere. The summary of research may be published in the NIAA newsletter and/or website following agreement from the author. In some circumstances, applicants may submit a modified version for publication if inclusion of data may preclude future publication or presentation.
The finalists will be selected by a panel of judges from the NIAA. They will review the summaries based on the following criteria:
- Originality and relevance
- Evidence based background and hypothesis
- Quality of study design and methodology
- Appropriate statistical analysis
- Description of limitations
- Discussion and appropriate conclusions drawn from the summary of results, including the impact that it would have on the future of anaesthesia and perioperative care.
We will endeavour to notify shortlisted finalists by Friday 30 October 2026.
The top scoring applicants will be invited to present their work in Southampton as part of Anaesthesia Research 2026, and will be eligible for the NIAA Research Award competition.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to prepare a 10-minute presentation in advance of Anaesthesia Research 2026.
Candidates will be expected to deliver their 10-minute presentation in Southampton on the morning of Friday 27 November 2026, as part of the programme for Anaesthesia Research 2026. There will also be 10-minutes for Q&A from the panel and audience.
The overall winner will be selected by the panel and announced at the end of Anaesthesia Research 2026, on Friday 27 November 2026.
The following criteria will be used to score each oral presentation:
- Oral presentation that is clear, delivers a logical approach to the evidence-based background and hypothesis leading to relevant conclusions.
- Robust and well-designed study methodology.
- Accurate presentation of results, including appropriate statistical analysis with use of figures and tables.
- Questions answered clearly and constructively. Clear viewpoint on application of results to clinical practice and future direction of research.
The award winner will hold the 'NIAA Research Award' for one year and will receive an honorarium of £500 and be presented with a certificate.
2025: Dr Mary Slingo, Southampton/Oxford
Abstract title: The oxygen-sensing hypoxia-inducible factor pathway and its impact on cardiopulmonary physiology and pathology
2024: Dr Jonny Stephens, London
Abstract title: A prospective translational study examining extracellular vesicles as crucial mediators of postoperative pulmonary complications induced by mechanical ventilation
2023: Dr Daniel Stubbs, Cambridge
Abstract title: Towards multidisciplinary care for chronic subdural haematoma. From an understanding of regional care networks to national consensus
2022: Dr Andrew Cumpstey, Southampton
Abstract title: Supplemental oxygen therapy in anaesthesia and intensive care, & its effect on oxidative stress during major surgery
Abstract title: Unravelling the enigma of elevated troponin after non-cardiac surgery
ARS Abstract Submissions
The Anaesthetic Research Society invites abstract submissions for oral presentation within the ‘Anaesthesia Research Meeting 2026 – Advancing Science, Transforming Care’ meeting held in collaboration with the National Institute of Academic Anaesthesia in Southampton on 26-27 November 2026.
The top 6 abstracts will be offered an oral presentation within the main meeting programme.
In addition, further highly scoring abstracts will be invited to present orally at an ‘ARS Research Breakfast’ event held on the morning of Friday 27 November. This will be held at 8am prior to the start of the main meeting programme. This session will provide a forum for less formal presentation, outside of the main meeting but in front of a smaller group of peers and members of the ARS committee, providing an opportunity for advice, feedback and discussion. Breakfast will be available free of charge.
All presented abstracts will be offered publication in the British Journal of Anaesthesia.
Abstracts are invited that cover the following topics:
- Anaesthesia and its related disciplines (namely critical care, peri-operative medicine & pain medicine) and its subspecialties
- Clinical and laboratory research
- Robust Quality Improvement projects
Submissions are welcome from clinicians and academics, and from consultants, residents, and medical students. Submissions from trainee networks are welcomed and encouraged. Clinical Scientists, Nurses, and Allied Healthcare Professionals are also welcome to submit abstracts. By submitting an abstract, at least one of the authors is agreeing to register and to attend the meeting in order to present the abstract, if selected.
Abstract submission will open on Tuesday 1 September 2026, with a deadline of Wednesday 30 September 2026. For questions, please contact: Contact Us · Anaesthetic Research Society
2025 winner: Dr Sara Ilyas, Manchester
Abstract title: Does supplemental oxygen affect the humidity provided by tracheostomy HME (Heat Moisture Exchange) Devices?
2024 winner: Dr Jonny Stephens, London
Abstract title: A prospective translational study examining extracellular vesicles as crucial mediators of postoperative pulmonary complications induced by mechanical ventilation
2023 winner: Dr Daniel Stubbs, Cambridge
Abstract title: Towards multidisciplinary care for chronic subdural haematoma. From an understanding of regional care networks to national consensus
2022 winner: Dr Andrew Cumpstey, Southampton
Abstract title: Supplemental oxygen therapy in anaesthesia and intensive care, & its effect on oxidative stress during major surgery
2021 winner: Dr Shaun May, London
Abstract title: Unravelling the enigma of elevated troponin after non-cardiac surgery