Research Centres

Events

Our events aim to build new connections and share insights from across disciplinary boundaries. They include informal networking events, special research symposia and large national and international conferences. All of our events are designed to foster discussion and spark new research collaborations.

Find out about more

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Annual Events

The Judith Howard Lecture Prize

The Howard Lecture is an annual lecture which celebrates world-leading early to mid-career academics working in the biophysical sciences from anywhere in the world. It is named in honour of one of the founders of the BSI Professor Judith Howard CBE FRS. Nominations can be made for researchers working in academia or in industry and we welcome nominations for those with unconventional career paths or with career breaks.

To make a nomination please forward the name and institution link of nominees to bsi.admin@durham.ac.uk.

BSI Thesis Prize

This annual prize celebrates Durham's interdisciplinary postgraduate students. The prize focusses on students who have applied creativity and initiative to their research, particularly those who have driven the research far beyond expectations.

To make a nomination please follow the guidance on the Thesis Prize webpage.

Early Career Researcher Symposium

Our ECR Symposia provide an opportunity for ECRs working in research into physical biology to meet and to share their research. Although the symposia are primarily aimed at ECRs, we welcome everyone with an interest in biophysical sciences to join in the lively discussions and questions.

Judith Howard Lecture

This prize celebrates world-leading early to mid-career academics working in the biophysical sciences from anywhere in the world.
BSI Thesis Prize

This annual prize celebrates Durham's interdisciplinary postgraduate students.

Judith Howard Lecture

This prize celebrates world-leading early to mid-career academics working in the biophysical sciences from anywhere in the world.

BSI Thesis Prize

This annual prize celebrates Durham's interdisciplinary postgraduate students.

BSI Calendar of Events

Our Lunchtime Seminars

Our Lunchtime Seminars, bring together invited external speakers and members of our community to share their research and stimulate discussion. They are a great way to make connections and to discover new areas of interdisciplinary biosciences research.

Dates for 2024-2025

13 December 2024, 12-1.30pm, BSI Thesis Prize talk: Dr Josh Hughes

31 January 2025, 12-1.30pm, Dr Keith Andrews (Department of Chemistry)

28 February 2025, 12-1.30pm, Dr Rui Carvalho (Department of Engineering) : Automatically Extracting Partial Differential Equations from Data

14 March 2025, 12-1.30pm, Dr Stephen Cox (Department of Chemistry): Machine learning classical density functionals for genuine multiscale modelling

30 May 2025, 12-1.30pm, CB1012 Prof. Nir Gov (Weizmann Institute of Science)

27 June 2025, 12-1.30pm, CB0015 Andrew Krause (Durham, Mathematical Sciences) and Denis Headon (Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh).

Register for BSI Lunchtime Seminars

Register for our lunchtime seminars here.
Sign up to our Mailing List

Sign up to our mailing list to recieve twice-monthly emails about events and funding opportunities, as well as news from our community.

Register for BSI Lunchtime Seminars

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Sign up to our Mailing List

Sign up to our mailing list to recieve twice-monthly emails about events and funding opportunities, as well as news from our community.

Full BSI Calendar of Events

2023-2024 Calendar of Events

Date	Details
30 October 2024	Interdisciplinary Mentorship Information Session 2-3 pm, Grey College, Old Library Sign up for our 2025 Mentorship Matchmaking round: https://forms.office.com/e/DyAMuYC1SM Register for the Information session here: https://forms.office.com/e/waL1YYJXjU
31 October 2024	Judith Howard Lecture Followed by the 2024 BSI Summer Research Bursary Poster Session 1-2 pm, Penthouse, Collingwood College Followed by a reception and the 2024 BSI Summer Research Bursary poster session (2-3 pm) Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/AMePxKzV8g
12 November 2024	Grant Writing Support: Annual Proposal Pitch Event 2-3 pm, CLC406 Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/mS3s55xbev
27 November 2024	Interdisciplinary Mentorship Programme - Meet your match session There are two calendar options for this optional session (i.e. no need to attend both sessions). 12-1 pm, Grey College, Old Library
3 December 2024	Interdisciplinary Mentorship Programme - Meet your match session There are two calendar options for this optional session (i.e. no need to attend both sessions). 2-3 pm, CB0027
12 December 2024	2024 Early Career Researchers' Winter Symposium 10 am-5 pm, Penthouse, Collingwood College Find out more on the symposium webpage: https://bit.ly/4d7nlbB Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/Eh8cRASS9b
13 December 2024	BSI Lunchtime Seminar: BSI Thesis Prize 2024 Winner: Dr Josh Hughes 12-1.30 pm, Penthouse, Collingwood College Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/yUinm9G2zc
10 January 2025	Biophysical Sciences Institute January Symposium An afternoon of short talks from the BSI community. This session will be a relaxed way for people linked to the BSI to share their current research and new research directions. 2-4 pm, Maths and Computer Science Scott Logic/2068 Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/KS3vWeAaUM
14 January 2025	Grant Writing Plenary Session 2-3 pm, Grey College, Old Library Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/mS3s55xbev
31 January 2025	BSI Lunchtime Seminar: Dr Keith Andrews - Durham University 12-1.30 pm, Penthouse, Collingwood College Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/yUinm9G2zc
11 February 2025	BSI Writing Room Plenary How A BBSRC Panel Works 12-1 pm, MCS Flexible Space Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/mS3s55xbev
14 February 2025	Bursary Information Session 2-3 pm, CLC407 (Kingsley Barrett room)
27 February 2025	Fellowship Information Session 2-4.30, PCL050 For Early Career Researchers looking to start or establish themselves as independent researchers. Session will include information about available Fellowships, how to apply for them and how they can shape your career. Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/5bb8nHhKLn?origin=lprLink
28 February 2025	BSI Lunchtime Seminar Automatically Extracting Partial Differential Equations from Data Dr Rui Carvalho (Department of Engineering) 12-1.30 pm, Penthouse, Collingwood College Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/yUinm9G2zc
14 March 2025	BSI Lunchtime Seminar: Save the date! 12-1.30 pm, Penthouse, Collingwood College Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/yUinm9G2zc
1-30 April	Art Inspired by Science New Exhibition at the Botanic Garden Café throughout April 2025 Art Inspired by Science: An Interactive Exhibition
3 April 2025	Wellcome Trust Discovery Award Round Table This session will pool experience and allow feedback on bids under development on what makes Discovery awards stand out. 11 - 12 noon, CB1012 Register by email to bsi.manager@durham.ac.uk
9 April 2025	Fellowship Writing Workshop This session is for those who are preparing to submit fellowship applications, or would like some initial experience of grant writing. It will be led by Aakash Basu and Liz Morris (Biosciences) who will give hands-on advice to attendees. Wednesday, 9^th April, from 10:00 – 13:00 in PCL050 (Palatine Centre). Register: https://forms.office.com/e/1RsDPBU6jZ?origin=lprLink
9 May 2025	BSI Lunchtime Seminar: New format! Joint Experimental-Theoretical talk 12-13.30, location TBC First session to be opened by Andrew Krause (Mathematical Sciences) and external collaborator (TBC).
12 May 2025	BSI Grant Writing Plenary BBSRC Grant Writing workshop - Creating maximum impact in the first two pages 13.00-16.00 MCS2050 Workshop, led by Martin Cann, to support PIs at the start of writing a BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant application. Registration essential as places are limited: https://forms.office.com/e/DX9NDFjVk1
30 May 2025	BSI Lunchtime Seminar: Prof. Nir Gov 12-1.30 pm, CB1012 Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/yUinm9G2zc
2 June 2025	Postponed - New Journal Club - Mechanics of Natural Systems Event Link: BSI Journal Club
4 June 2025	What on Earth am I doing (next)? 12-1 pm, CG83 (Chemistry) Event link: What on Earth am I doing (next)? Launch
June - August	Creative Encounters This new exhibition celebrates our developing Art-Science community and showcases their work, including new work not seen at the Botanic Garden Exhibition. Find out more
10 June 2025	Grant Writing Plenary Session *Information session on MRC mid-range equipment and BBSRC ALERT grant applications* Relevant for those interested in applying for scientific equipment (£100k-£1.5M to support BBSRC or MRC remit projects). Includes contributions from current MRC and BBSRC equipment panel members, equipment grant awardees and a representative from RIS. 1-2 pm, CB0015 Save the date Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/mS3s55xbev
27 June 2025	BSI Lunchtime Seminar New Format: Theoretical and Experimental Perspectives Andrew Krause (Durham, Mathematical Sciences) and Denis Headon (Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh). 12-1.30 pm, CB-0015 (Confluence Building). Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/yUinm9G2zc
8 July 2025	Equipment focus: FIDABio In person seminar from FIDABio on their technology - Flow Induced Dispersion Analysis. 11.30 - 2pm Calman Learning Centre top floor CLC406
10 July 2025	“Wait – How did I end up here (academia)?” Panel session for those with non-traditional routes into academia. 1 -2 pm Palatine PCL054
8-11 September 2025	Physics of Life Summer School 8-11 September, Durham University. Designed for ECR and sponsored by Wellcome Trust and is delivered by PoLNet, the BSI and the British Biophysical Society. Please register your interest through the form here.

Past Events

Early Career Researcher Network Events

ECR Symposium

Our ECR Symposia provide an opportunity for ECRs working in research into physical biology to get together and to share their research. Although the symposia are primarily aimed at ECRs, we welcome everyone with an interest in biophysical sciences to join in the lively discussions and questions.

Find out more.

Research Symposia

From Disease Diagnosis to Bioinspired materials

16 and 17 May 2023, Confluence Centre, Durham University

This special symposium marks the retirement of Professor Roy Quinlan. The symposium is organised by his colleagues to celebrate his research and contributions to the research community.

Find out more and register.

UKRRC Early Career Rice Researcher Meeting 2022

The main aim of this meeting was to bring together mainly early career researchers to explore and understand working with rice in the UK and the challenges faced through a series of talks and discussion panels.

Find out more.

Big Ideas for Neglected Tropical Diseases Discussion Meeting 2022

This meeting was inspired by the UKRI big ideas call and aims to develop a community derived collective approach to the key issues related to neglected tropical diseases. These are set of infectious diseases that heavily impact on the global south. Current health strategies are inadequate in almost all aspects and are in need of major investment.

Conferences

Physics of Life 2018 & 2019: From Cells to Tissues and Organisms

British Society of Parasitology 2016: Microbial protein targets: towards understanding and intervention

British Society for Research on Ageing ASM 2016: Evolution and the Biology of Ageing

British Biophysical Sciences Institute 2012: https://britishbiophysics.org/posts/2012/2012-01-04-2012-bbs-young-investigator/