27th REF Annual Research Conference & 5th Early Stage Researcher Forum 2026
Call for Abstracts now open
Share your research. Showcase your work. Inspire others.
The Call for Abstracts is now open for the upcoming Poster Exhibition at Sligo University Hospital (SUH).
Knowledge-sharing is at the heart of our research events, and we invite researchers to share their work with a wide, multidisciplinary audience. This is an excellent opportunity to present your research, share your knowledge and expertise, and connect with colleagues across disciplines.
Submit your abstract by Monday 5th October 2026
Accepted abstracts will be considered for:
- Poster Exhibition – authors of accepted abstracts will be invited to display their research as part of the exhibition from 19 November till 3 December 2026.
- 27th REF Annual Multidisciplinary Research Conference – up to 3 local researchers will be invited to deliver a 15-minute oral presentation followed by Q&A.
- 5th Early Stage Researcher Forum – up to 15 research projects in the Early Stage Researcher category will be invited to deliver a 5-minute oral presentation followed by Q&A.
27th REF Annual Research Conference
Join us on 27 November, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM for the 27th REF Annual Research Conference, exploring:
“Connecting Research, Teams and Patient Care: Working Together for Better Care”.
5th Early Stage Researcher Forum
The 5th Early Stage Researcher Forum takes place on 26 November, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
The programme includes a lunch workshop delivered by Professor Jonathan Drennan, Full Professor of Nursing at University College Dublin and Associate Editor of the International Journal of Nursing Studies.
This will be followed by early stage researchers presenting their work in five-minute sessions, with expert feedback after each block. It is an excellent opportunity to gain insights from emerging research, share your work and engage with an expert panel.
Both events are free and CPD-accredited (pending).
Location: Lecture Theatre, Level 6, Sligo University Hospital
Programme Updates
Further details about the programme, including additional information about speakers and contributors, will be added to the website as they become available. Please check back regularly for the latest updates.
Your research deserves to be shared.
We want to see it. Submit your abstract by Monday 5th October 2026 and be part of the conversation.
Support the REF:
As a charitable organisation we rely on sponsorship and donations to keep these events free and to enable our ongoing work in health research. We would greatly appreciate your support. Every contribution makes a difference!