Transforming Adolescent Health:
the Power of Connection
UK Adolescent Health Conference 2027
Thursday 25th & Friday 26th February 2027
at the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre
Responding to the Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health ‘Call to Action’, this major UK-based conference aims to bring together a wide range of professionals who aspire to improve the health of young people. This includes practitioners, researchers, policy makers, educators, and many others, both from the UK and internationally.
The programme will feature a combination of motivating and inspiring keynote speakers, scientific presentations, workshops, poster presentations, and plenty of opportunity for personal connection and networking. Young people are actively contributing to the design and delivery of the programme.
“Adolescents are the future leaders of our
world. Ensuring their health and wellbeing—now and in the future—is one of the
strongest mechanisms available to safeguard the collective future of humanity
and to secure a more just society and a healthier and more productive planet.”
From the 2nd Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health & Wellbeing, 2025
Major conference themes include:
- Connecting Mind & Body
- Connecting Services & Sectors
- Connecting with Young People
In addition to the main sessions, parallel sessions on a range of clinical and non-clinical topics will ensure that there is something for everyone.
Confirmed keynote speakers include:
- Baroness Hilary Cass OBE, former President of the RCPCH
- Professor Russell Viner CBE, Co-Chair 2nd Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health
- Professor Jon Klein, University of Stanford, USA, immediate past Chair of the International Association of Adolescent Health (IAAH)
- Professor Simon Kenny OBE, National Clinical Director for Children & Young People
- Professor Prathiba Chitsebesan, National Clinical Director for Children & Young People’s Mental Health
- Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer, Black Country Integrated Care Board
- Professor Imelda Coyne, Professor of Nursing & Midwifery & Director of the Trinity Research in Childhood Centre, Dublin
Other confirmed contributors include Professor Victoria Goodyear, Professor Chris Bonell, Dr Maria Michail, Dr Nicola Gray, Dr Steph Lamb, Dr Katie Malbon & Dr Terry Segal.
The central venue is just a few minutes’ walk from Birmingham New Street Station which has easy connections to all parts of the UK, and internationally via Birmingham International Airport. There is plenty of accommodation close by, and there will be an optional conference dinner on the Thursday evening.
The event is being organised by the RCGP Adolescent Health Group, RCPCH Young People’s Health Special Interest Group and the RCPsych Faculty of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, together with the Association for Young People’s Health, and in collaboration with a wide range of partner organisations. We are excited that the conference has also been endorsed by the International Association for Adolescent Health (IAAH) as an IAAH European Regional Conference.
Key Dates
Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
18th June 2026 | Call for abstracts opens |
18th June 2026 | Early bird booking opens |
16th August 2026 | Deadline for workshop submissions |
11th September 2026 | Deadline for oral & poster abstracts |
2nd October 2026 | Decision on workshops |
31st October 2026 | Decision on oral & poster abstracts |
30th November 2026 | Early bird booking ends |
31st January 2027 | Registration closes |
25th & 26th February 2027 | Conference |
As part of the organisation of this conference, The University of Birmingham's Event Management Team is collecting income via registration fees and sponsorships on behalf of Adolescent Health Conference 2027.