Join UKSPA and the wider scientific community at our Autumn Conference hosted at Nottingham Innovation Park on the 19th & 20th November 2026

Event Partners

Any UKSPA members who have missed the ticket sale window and are interested in attending the event, please contact us at info@ukspa.org.uk

UKSPA’s members and stakeholders will gather at the University of Nottingham Innovation Park (https://www.uniponline.co.uk/) on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th November for the UKSPA Autumn Conference.

Join us for the UKSPA Autumn Conference hosted by University of Nottingham Innovation Park for two days of strategic insights.

Taking place on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th November, the conference will bring together science parks, innovation districts, research campuses, and technology clusters, alongside UKSPA Business Affiliates and key stakeholders, to share best practice, and debate the most pressing regional and national trends shaping our sector.

Over the two days, we will explore the evolving landscape of regional innovation ecosystems, as well as strategies for driving sustainable economic growth,

You will hear from Keynotes on industry trends and policy shaping UK innovation. There will also be interactive panel sessions and fireside chats, peer networking, including a drinks reception and dinner, and an exhibition. There is also the opportunity to join tours, taking in the cutting-edge facilities, incubation infrastructure, and grow-on spaces deployed across the University of Nottingham Innovation Park.

About the Hosts - University of Nottingham Innovation Park

The University of Nottingham Innovation Park (https://www.uniponline.co.uk/) (UNIP) is delighted to host the UKSPA Autumn Conference on 19th and 20th November 2026.

The University anchored innovation campus was built to bring world leading research together with high growth businesses. What makes Jubilee distinctive is the alignment with the UK’s industrial strategy. Sectors like aerospace, zero carbon propulsion, fusion, defence, digital and advanced manufacturing all sit at the heart of what happens at the Innovation Park.

UNIP is anchored by a Russell Group research powerhouse, the University of Nottingham (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/research.aspx), and is geared toward creating regional opportunity, economic impact, and knowledge driven growth.

UNIP’s ecosystem has a very clear focus: engineering and technology innovation. To curate a complementary mix of gateway-tested tenants who share similar technology platforms, challenges, funding routes, and infrastructure needs. That shared focus is intentional; it creates density, collaboration, and a resilient environment for innovation.

One of UNIP’s greatest assets is the breadth and depth of the University’s research strengths. Across engineering, technology, and business, they have facilities and expertise to support innovation, from the recently opened Hybrid Propulsion Centre (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/nottingham-unveils-new-uk-platform-to-accelerate-hybrid-propulsion-technologies) and Zero‑carbon Innovation Centre (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/zcic-launch) to the Advanced Manufacturing Building (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/technicians/technical-skills/advanced-manufacturing.aspx) and world class computer science labs. You’ll get the opportunity to tour some of these facilities over the two days. We’ve also got the business ecosystem: Nottingham University Business School (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/business/#UK), the Ingenuity Lab (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/business/who-we-are/centres-and-institutes/hgi/ingenuity-lab/about-the-ingenuity-lab.aspx), and Executive Education (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/business/executive-education/index.aspx). All of this is underpinned by strong research commercialisation through Nottingham Technology Ventures. (https://www.nottinghamtechventures.com/)

UNIP's ecosystem is delivering measurable economic value, having seen businesses secure £8 million in Innovate UK funding and attract £14 million in private investment. The Park is seeing around 5% annual growth across the community, and strong survival rates for early-stage companies. They are growing innovation-active businesses, increasing R&D intensity, and supporting companies as they begin exporting and entering international markets. The opportunity is large and they are continuing to build a much broader scheme of activity to capture it.

UNIP's sister subsidiary of the University, Nottingham Venues, are hosting the conference in their Jubilee Hotel & Conference Centre (https://nottinghamvenues.com/venue/the-jubilee-hotel-conferences/). The centre, and wider campus, is an outstanding example of brownfield regeneration, sustainability, low energy design and innovative architecture. The buildings use natural materials such as cedar redwood cladding and recycled newspaper insulation. There are a series of man-made lakes that provide a valuable wildlife habitat, contribute to heating

Description supplied by the event organiser.